Old hops

[Emmett]

I'm a sucker for a low price and just agreed to buy a bunch of Simco hops that are 3 years old and have been sealed but sitting unrefrigerated. Anyone work with questionable hops before? I haven't opened them yet, I've read that they'll probably have some cheesy odors. I'm not sure what to do with them, I think I can still use them for bittering right?

 

[GuldTuborg]

Depending upon the conditions of storage, I'd say most to all of the alpha acids are oxidized and of no use for bittering (yes, even with a high AA hop like Simcoe). Funny odors should dissipate with a long boil.

Since you're asking this, I'm assuming you don't get into wild brews much. I think this is the world's way of telling you it's time to start brewing some lambics! I hope you're the patient type.

 

[avidhomebrewer]

That's exactly what I was thinking too; perfect hops for a lambic.

 

[lowlife]

should have a little about 1 percent alpha acid left with not a lot of hop aroma (maybe cheese)
In my opinion you are probably best to throw them away.

 

[jtakacs]

emmet; newbie here, in fact this is my first post, but i'm taking a shot at a "lambic" (as close as i can get with my limited capacity and lack of proper geography) in the next month. if you're looking to offload (sell) up to 4 oz, i'll be happy to take some off your hands.

first thing i'm gonna do is open them and let them get nasty.

 

[Emmett]

Sorry I can't help you. They are now compost, it was gut wrenching throwing away 10 lbs of hops, but they smelled terrible.