Old Grain

Last year I was sent some extra uncrushed grain by mistake. I called N.B. and they said to keep it. Problem is I do not know what to use it for. At this point it has been in my refrigerator for 18 months.
My next two brews will be Brown Ale and an IPA.
Can I just crush them and add them to either mash?
Are they too old?
Throw them in the compost?
Thanks.

 

They will be fine.

I keep mine in my basement (plastic bags in plastic containers), and have no issue with using 2-year old grain.

Provided it didn't get wet, and bugs didn't get to it, it will be fine.

 

The enemies of malted grains are moisture, heat, and light. Yours should be fine. Just taste a few kernels. So long as they taste good, they are fine to use. If they are mushy, stale, or funky, let them go. If you have fresh grain, do a side by side taste test.

I have malted grain that is 2+ years old, stored in buckets with gamma lids on a temperature stable basement floor, that I am still using with positive results. Your refrigerated grains should be just fine.

Good Luck,
Cody

 

Let the taste and smell of the grain be your guide. Not sure the fridge is the best place to store grain.

 

Thanks everyone. I will crush them as best I can with a rolling pin and probably try them in the brown ale.

 

Crushing with a rolling pin kinda sucks....I would use a blender, a cup or so at a time, just pulse the blender till the grain is well chopped.

 

Sounds like a better idea. Thanks

 

I just finished using up the last of my two row I had in a pail with a lid.. about 7 years old tasted great!