Old beer ingredients ok?

[alter]

I got an Amber beer ingredient kit a few years ago as an Xmas present and just recently got back into brewing again. Its been sitting in a dark cupboard all this time, the kit is composed of a plastic bag sealed with liquid malt extract, and 2 vacuum sealed packs of hop pellets, no grains or anything. Its for a 5 gallon batch. I threw out the original yeast long ago but recently ordered some muntons dry yeast and was planning on giving it a try, unless anyone can think of why not to. Does this liquid extract go bad after a while? Its probably about 3-4 years old. I'm assuming the hops should be fine since they're a preservative themselves, is that right?

 

[BrewerBear]

I would brew it,it may not taste as good as it would have when you got it but you have it so brew it.

 

[Red_Scooter]

Beer gets better with age. Ingredients, not so much. Better Ingredients = Better Beer. But, if you got he space and time, give it a whirl.

 

[Hackwood]

I'd brew it. Like said above, it might not be the tastiest brew ever but it'll still be beer. Enough to get you going again.

 

[petey_c]

Sooner or later during your brewing life, you'll brew a crappy beer. Might as well get the first one out of the way. You may also surprise yourself and and it might be good. I had some initial Mr. B failures, but kept brewing anyway. (They said it was daft to build a castle in the swamp...Monty Python)

 

[JehovahsWitnessProtection]

It might turn out so-so, in which case you'll still have some decent lawnmower beer. Or maybe it will be great. A pig in a poke. You already have the ingredients, no additional expense, aside from the fresh yeast. Go for it.

 

[unionrdr]

I whole heatedly agree! I bought a Cooper's OS Lager can from the lhbs,& got it home with some other supplies for my next beer. Finally remembered to read the date on the can...it was 2 years old.
Long story short,it turned out great,but not the light colored lager wannabe it was intended to. More like a session version of Salvator doppel bock in color & flavor. I named it "Summer Ale" before seeing/tasting it in the glass. I should've waited & named it "Cougarator".
Anyway,I sent a couple bottles to Gary at Home Brewer TV,& got the full three thumbs up against a commercial beer. And it was only my second brew! There's a pic of it in my gallery if y'all wanna see.
So never say never...it could turn out great,just not what it would've been had it been fresh.