Hop storage time limits

Saw the post on the Hops Direct sale and am drooling at the thought of purchasing 10 lbs. of hops for about $0.62 per lb. instead of the usual $3 from my LHBS...

Question is, how long can I store my hops? I am assuming that these are last year's models already. I have looked at the 'official' answer, but I am looking for real world experience. I will store them in my freezer, and will probably need to invest in a FoodSaver.

Based on my past brew levels, I am estimating that I would get around 50 batches out of these hops, so that would be at least 13 months worth of brewing to comply with the legal limits

Any thoughts on the specific question of "Am I overbuying", or more generically how long the hops could be stored

From what I've read they only lose about 5% of their potency after 1 year.

IMO it doesn't matter because you can use your leftovers for aroma and dry hopping where AA% is not important.

homebrewer_99 said:

From what I've read they only lose about 5% of their potency after 1 year.

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That statement leads me to another question... Does the 5% refer to percentage of the starting AA% (i.e., 5% off of 16%, so it is now 15.2%) or 5% less than the starting % (i.e., 16% is 11% after a year).

Thanks

I knew you would ask that...so I tried to avoid it...I'm certain it's the .8% loss.

But one would want to argue that if it's stored frozen and airtight is there really any loss?

Asking a hop supplier could help, but then again they're in the business of selling hops aren't they?

EDIT: I just sent the question to Puterbauch Hops.

Various software will calculate the AA if given the temperature and time.

Here's an online one (first one that popped up in google):

Brewer's Lair: Calculators: Hop Alpha Acid Loss

The problem is exactly how old are your hops when you get them? I don't have any way of truely determining this. There's the rub if you ask me.

eschatz said:

The problem is exactly how old are your hops when you get them? I don't have any way of truely determining this. There's the rub if you ask me.

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As someone posted in the thread about the sale going on, HopsDirect is known to be a reputable vendor, so they 'should' be storing them correctly, even though they are from last season.

I pulled the trigger on 10# this afternoon. Should be in good shape for the next year or so.

Item 01: 1 each HCOLP1 Columbus Pellet Hops 1 lb. $ 12.75
Item 02: 1 each HCEP1 Centennial Pellet Hops 1 lb. $ 10.75
Item 03: 2 each HFUGP1 Fuggle Pellet Hops 1 lb. $ 9.75
Item 04: 1 each HHALGP1 Hallertau Pellets (GR) 1 lb. $ 10.75
Item 05: 1 each HMALU1 Magnum (US) Pellets: 1 lb. $ 9.75
Item 06: 1 each HWILP1 Willamette Pellet Hops 1 lb. $ 6.75
Item 07: 2 each HVANP1 Vanguard Pellet Hops 1 lb. $ 9.75
Item 08: 1 each HCASP1 Cascade Pellet Hops 1 lb. $ 8.75

Now I just need to find a good bag of 2-row and MO for free, and I'll be all set.

Thanks for all the responses....

Buh Bang! What a great price on hops! I ordered 3 pounds immediately when I saw those prices! Buh by crabby LHBS guy who sells me ounces of hop powder/schwag/shake for 3 bucks!

zscalf said:

Buh Bang! What a great price on hops! I ordered 3 pounds immediately when I saw those prices! Buh by crabby LHBS guy who sells me ounces of hop powder/schwag/shake for 3 bucks!

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Those are some damn good prices. I used to know a guy like that in college. Maybe he got a job at your LHBS!!!

zscalf said:

Buh Bang! What a great price on hops! I ordered 3 pounds immediately when I saw those prices! Buh by crabby LHBS guy who sells me ounces of hop powder/schwag/shake for 3 bucks!

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Quit yer bellyaching...you're lucky he doesn't just sell you stems and seeds... j/k