Hops Storage

[Rob2010SS]

This is probably a total newb question but how long can you store hop pellets in a fridge in a ziplock bag before you start affecting the quality of the hops?

I have 2oz of Saaz that were in my fridge for I believe 2 weeks. They were only in a ziplock bag. After the 2 weeks, I vacuum sealed them and put them in the freezer. I'm going to need 1oz of Saaz this weekend. Are they still good or should I just buy new ones?

 

[Keith81]

Smell them, if they smell fine (probably will) you should be good.

 

[z-bob]

Should be okay. I have hops in my freezer that are several years old, stored in the original Mylar bags (not vacuum sealed) in ziplock bags. I assume they are not quite as bitter as when they were new, but they smell fine, and last time I used some of the oldest ones that said AA=8.7 and I adjusted that down to 7.5 for age the beer was almost too bitter. (in other words, they are holding up very well. Maybe 8.5 now) It does depend somewhat on the variety.

I found some 20+ year old hops in the old chest freezer that I don't use much. I threw them out, but they still smelled good; not cheesy and not odorless.

 

[mongoose33]

They're still good. Use 'em.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Awesome, thanks everyone.

 

[RM-MN]

Just an anecdote here: I found some hops that had grown wild on my place but I didn't find then until May. They had spent all winter and through the variable weather of northern Minnesota spring so I grabbed one to see how bad it would smell. It smelled just as fresh as the one i had found the fall before.