What's the "Best By" Date For Crushed Grains

[wdavis2003]

I purchased a recipe from my LHBS 3 weeks ago and had them mill the grains. The plan was to brew the next day. Well, 3 weeks have went by and I still have not brewed. Plan on brewing Labor Day now. I'm wondering about the viability of the grains. I don't want a 'stale' tasting beer. The grains are in a standard plastic bag with a bread tie. Not exactly O2 free environment.

So, how long will they be usable for?

 

[Steveruch]

Before I got a mill I would order milled grains for three months of brewing with no issue.

 

[Steveruch]

Keep grains dry and relatively cool and they'll last quite a while, even milled.

 

[wdavis2003]

Thanks @Steveruch

That gives me piece of mind

 

[MicroMickey]

I once brewed a batch from a sealed container of Pils malt that was 10 years old. No problems.

 

[hotbeer]

My first batch of beer was with pre-milled malts. It was a kit that had been given to me over a full year prior to me brewing it.

I thought the beer tasted great. The malts in the kit weren't vacuum sealed or anything special.

 

[IslandLizard]

I recommend putting the bags with grain inside a lidded plastic storage tote or so. And store in a coolish and dry area.

Make sure the bags have a label on them for identification. A date would be good too... just in case.

 

[Broothru]

I recommend putting the bags with grain inside a lidded plastic storage tote or so. And store in a coolish and dry area.

Make sure the bags have a label on them for identification. A date would be good too... just in case.

Vittle Vaults, or any Big Box store's gamma lid buckets work wonderfully. On my inventory of grains in seven different gamma lid storage containers are the partially use and ordered but never used remnants of grains from my nearly three decades of brewing, all nicely labelled with remaining weights and SRM values, but almost none have dates. Since I've been vacuum-sealing the grains I buy for at least 10 years, I don't worry too much about them. The others seldom get used unless I'm really in need of just a spot of some specialty grain. With them I hope they're "fresh enough", and I'm afraid to know how old they might actually be.

 

[MaxStout]

For me, grains in ziplocs, sharpie pen to write dates, then kept inside gamma seal buckets in a cool, dry location.

However, I've never tried keeping crushed grains and only store them whole, as I have a mill. But the responses above should give you some peace of mind. The key is how you store them. Over time there might be some oxidation, though.

I have tried vac-sealing small amounts, but never had the best luck. The pointy ends of kernels sometimes poked through the bag and let air in.

 

[hilljack13]

inside gamma seal buckets in a cool, dry location.

Not trying to hijack thread...

My gamma containers are in the garage and it gets pretty hot. Should I be concerned? The grains have been stored for 7-8 months.

 

[MaxStout]

Maybe. Heat accelerates reactions, so it could have had an effect. Is the grain crushed or whole? You could take a half poound or so and brew a tiny mash, taste the wort.

 

[hilljack13]

Whole. I have only used any of it for my 1 gal batches. Last small brew early July and other than me throwing in some random ingredients in the secondary came out fine....Probably just answered my own question, but Aug temps have been brutal.

 

[MaxStout]

Whole. I have only used any of it for my 1 gal batches. Last small brew early July and other than me throwing in some random ingredients in the secondary came out fine....Probably just answered my own question, but Aug temps have been brutal.

In that case, you should be fine. Especially since it wasn't so hot all the time.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I used to buy grains for three brews out, using the last one a month or two later and it still came out tasting like beer. You'll be fine, but if you still want fresh, I can hook you up if I have it.

 

[wdavis2003]

@FloppyKnockers I don't just want beer, I want to feel like this after every sip

 

[Deadalus]

For me, grains in ziplocs, sharpie pen to write dates, then kept inside gamma seal buckets in a cool, dry location.

However, I've never tried keeping crushed grains and only store them whole, as I have a mill. But the responses above should give you some peace of mind. The key is how you store them. Over time there might be some oxidation, though.

I have tried vac-sealing small amounts, but never had the best luck. The pointy ends of kernels sometimes poked through the bag and let air in.

If you ever need to vac seal something that's pokey like that take some parchment paper and fold it over so it fits in the bag like an envelope. Paper towels work too but for grain, it might stick. I keep a variety of whole grain on hand in sealed jars. Only lately have I been leaving them in the delivered plastic bags so never really thought to try vac sealing them.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

@FloppyKnockers I don't just want beer, I want to feel like this after every sip

View attachment 856684

Okay, but this guy is going to have to help you on brew day then.