Storing Hops

Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Brett3rThanU

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
577
Reaction score
9
Location
Houston
Like everyone else, I'm jumping on Hopsdirect's cheap hop prices. I've ordered from them before and have been using a vacuum sealer to store my remainder and putting it in the freezer. The problem is the vacuum seal bags are clear, so every time the freezer opens/closes the light comes on and the hops are exposed to light. Should I do something to avoid this? Not sure what if it's needed, suggestions?

Also, how long will the hops stay good being vacuum sealed in a freezer?
 
I don't think it's a problem unless you have sunlight streaming directly into your freezer. I use clear bags as well, and I've never thought twice about it. Hops should stay good for a while (one year or more) if stored well. As long as they are green and not cheesy smelling, then they should be OK.

-Steve
 
Yes, that really is not a problem at all. If it concerns you enough, though, wrap them in a towel or something (even a paper one). It really won't do much for the hops (as they don't need much done to them), but it will make you feel better.

Pellet hops, vacuum-packed and kept at 0F (which is where many freezers are) will keep just about forever. AA% will tail off, slowly, over time. I use ProMash or BeerSmith to estimate how much (it can be very little over a year). Leaf hops keep nearly as well under the same conditions.


TL
 
I just bought a few ounces of hop pellets.. but I doubt Im going to be able to brew for awhile due to my wedding coming up.

Could I keep them in my fridge for a couple months, or should I freeze them?

Does it matter?
 
I just bought a few ounces of hop pellets.. but I doubt Im going to be able to brew for awhile due to my wedding coming up.

Could I keep them in my fridge for a couple months, or should I freeze them?

Does it matter?

Freeze, freeze, freeze.
 
Could Mason Jars be a good substitute for a vaccuum sealer?? Lets say that you put a half pound per mason jar and use 2 oz. per month. Would they get that dreaded cheesy smell before you could use all of the hops?
 
Could Mason Jars be a good substitute for a vaccuum sealer?? Lets say that you put a half pound per mason jar and use 2 oz. per month. Would they get that dreaded cheesy smell before you could use all of the hops?

Unless you're evacuating the air from them, no, they're not a good substitute. Even though you'd run through your 1/2 pound jar in four months, they will probably degrade some. YMMV.

-Steve
 
Unless you're evacuating the air from them, no, they're not a good substitute. Even though you'd run through your 1/2 pound jar in four months, they will probably degrade some. YMMV.

-Steve

If you have a food saver you can use these to vacuum seal the jars, There are quite a few people on this sight who use mason jars to store hops.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
How long would I be able to store hops say if I vacuum sealed a bag and threw it in the freezer (or my 42 degree keezer?)
 
I packaged my hop shipment in 2oz bags via the seal-a-meal thingy. I even purged each with CO2 for several seconds, prior to vac-packing them. Had the regular set to trickle and just turned it on and off as needed for each bag.
I used a couple of those packs about a month ago, they (Cascade and Amarillo) still smelled awesome. They had been vac-packed and frozen for nearly 2 years. :)

I must say it was an odd feeling bagging all that greenage in little 2oz packs. Needless to say, I closed all the blinds in my house for that.

I will be getting my 14# order tomorrow and plan on using the same method.
 
I must say it was an odd feeling bagging all that greenage in little 2oz packs. Needless to say, I closed all the blinds in my house for that.

I got quite a few surprised looks when I brought a bag of hops into work to show people what they were and how amazing they smell.

-Steve
 
Back
Top