How long does extract last?

I bought an extract kit in the spring and it got too hot here before I had a chance to brew it. How long do you guys think the shelf life of extract and honey that came with it is? It's been in the box it shipped in sitting in one of my kitchen cabinets since it arrived.

It should be fine. Just use different yeast than what's in the box.

I tried some this winter that had been sitting for about 9 years. Can was only a "little" bulged. Nasty stuff. Still have 1 bottle left. It made (gulp!) beer.

Dave

Suthrncomfrt1884 said:

It should be fine. Just use different yeast than what's in the box.

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cool. do you think the dry yeast is still good if its been in the fridge this whole time?

I have a related question, I hope the OP doesn't mind. Is there any good way to store LME after you've opened the can?

NoisufnoC said:

cool. do you think the dry yeast is still good if its been in the fridge this whole time?

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When I first started brewing, I was adviced against using any yeast that comes with a kit. Because, you never know how old it is if there's no date, and how it's been handled. Some of those kits are a year old before they're bought. I never really liked using the hops that came in some of them because my brewshop stores them on the shelves and not in a fridge. This is why I stopped using kits after the second one.

I'm a picky brewer though. I like fresh everything. Chances are, your yeast is good. I would have a fresh pack on hand though just incase.

And to iddqd, if you have a FoodSaver (or something else than can vacuum pack foods), you can pour the rest of the LME into a bag and seal it so it's airtight. Store it in a dark place and it'll be fine.

iddqd said:

I have a related question, I hope the OP doesn't mind. Is there any good way to store LME after you've opened the can?

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Suthrncomfrt1884 said:

And to iddqd, if you have a FoodSaver (or something else than can vacuum pack foods), you can pour the rest of the LME into a bag and seal it so it's airtight. Store it in a dark place and it'll be fine.

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Absent a foodsaver, freeze the rest of the LME.

NoisufnoC said:

I bought an extract kit in the spring and it got too hot here before I had a chance to brew it. How long do you guys think the shelf life of extract and honey that came with it is? It's been in the box it shipped in sitting in one of my kitchen cabinets since it arrived.

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Honey seldom goes bad.

This is probably one of the few situations where making a starter for a dry yeast may actually be a good idea.

Synovia said:

This is probably one of the few situations where making a starter for a dry yeast may actually be a good idea.

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agreed. or i may just replace it.