How long can you store your grain?

[JBennett617]

I bought a few pounds from the local brew shop around the 17th of last month, they put it in a paper bag and staples it shut.

I haven't mashed the grain yet due to a busy schedule. How long until I should toss it and/or how will it effect the flavor the longer it sits? I hope to brew this weekend but I kept buying new equipment to try (and so I kept waiting.)

 

[douglasbarbin]

Is it already milled?

 

[JBennett617]

Yes

 

[Turkeyshot]

Give it a taste and see if it is stale. If not put it in a ziploc back and squeeze all the air out of it and keep it in a cool place. It has not even been a month yet so if it is not stale it will be fine.

 

[xpops]

I've used in crushed from a ziplock in fridge after 6 months with no ill effects. Putting into ziplock in fridge once opened is best bet.

 

[daksin]

Yeah- taste is the way to go. The grain does tend to stale after a few weeks in a mostly unsealed bag like that.

 

[Calder]

^^^^^^^^^^^ What they all said. 6 months in the fridge easy, probably longer. Just giving more support to help ease your mind.

 

[JBennett617]

Ok, this was sitting on my (never used) treadmill. Not sealed in a bag or refrigerated. I put it in a trash bag and tied it shut with no air. I will try to brew this weekend. It didn't taste stale but I can tell its on the edge of going stale. Thanks guys!