As my other thread(s) suggest I am brand new to homebrewing. Started my first batch last weekend. I will almost certianly have lots of questions along the way, and will look to you seasoned vets for some answers. The question I currently have is in regards to hop freshness. Since I am so new to the process, I am starting with small quantity batches, 1 gallon at a time. I am looking to experiment with many small batches with different recipes. But since the quantity is so small, as I try to come up with some recipes I am realizing the quantity of each specific hop type I use will be quite low for each batch. So my question is, how well do hops 'save'? If I only need 0.5 oz of a specific hop, and the smallest quantity that its available is 1oz, will that extra oz keep for a couple weeks (or more)? It seems that many/most hop sellers use some type of vacuum sealing. Once thats open, how long will they typically last before they are considered out of date to brew with. Also, are there any secrets to storing them (ie fridge vs cool dark place, vs any other way). As always, thanks for the help.
Consider that any hops you're using have been stored since at least the last harvest, and possibly longer, if you're not paying attention. I typically buy a year's supply from the new harvest in the fall, break it down into nominal 'batch' sizes (I've got a pretty good idea of what I'll use throughout the year), vacuum seal them, and store them in the freezer. You should do this before freezing because when you open a bag of frozen hops, Oxygen-laden frost forms on the cold hops that you're then going to put back in the freezer (the same reason you should never store coffee in the freezer, BTW).
I bought a bunch of hops in bulk a couple years ago and I've been storing them in the package they came in in my freezer. When I use them I taped them back up tight and they smell good and I haven't experienced any off flavors yet. Anyone see anything wrong with this? And 2. How could calculate my Ibus ? I've read somewhere that they go down over time.
Used to store them that way. Now I re-purpose the pint (holds 1#) and half-pint plastic containers from Chinese take-out. Not HDPE, but good enough to exclude moisture (no freezer burn) and food flavors. Hops will degrade over time. Some faster than others. Alpha loss, in percent, over 6 mo Amarillo: 20. Cascade: 50 Centennial: 40 Chinook: 42 Citra: 25 CTZ: 40 Hallertau: 50 Magnum: 15 Northern Brewer: 35 Pacific Gem: 10 Saaz: 42 Simcoe: 18 Sorachi Ace: 25 Warrior: 24 Williamette: 40 BeerSmith's 'hop aging' calulator takes into account the variety, a 'hop stability index' (alpha loss in six months), original alpha, storage medium (barrier package / jar; baggie, vacuum packed), and storage temperature.
I'm confused...refer or freezer? ATFQ seems like there are some differences of opinion about putting previously frozen hops back in the freezer. My beers could have been immensely better because I've been putting them back in the freezer .
I have only played with BS for a few minutes. Promash would take the storage temps and package into account for calculating the AA loss, so I assume BS does the same.
I have a 1/2 oz of Nelson Sauvin that I'd really like to use in my upcoming Saison. Only 3 gallons. Kept in the fridge for 8 months, in a ziplock bag inside a ziplock bag, not vacuum sealed or whatever. If I want to avoid any cheesy/stale/ terrible off flavors, should I use them beginning of the boil, 5 min, dry hop, or just use my fresher hops. I really like Nelson. For some reason I feel like boiling them longer (not dry hop) would yield less of those off flavors from age. But if I dry hop or use for 5 min addition, the loss of IBUs wouldn't be an issue as far as calculating IBU...
Don't over-buy trying to save on shipping. Take into account how often you brew, and how much hop you use (on average). However, If you keep them in the freezer, and keep air off of them, they last a long time. When you take them out, let them warm a bit before you measure, then immediately vacuum/seal/tape however you do it and re-freeze them.
