CBW Sparkling Amber extract still good?

LME or DME?
According to the Briess product info sheet (linked below) for DME, "Unopened bags best if used within 24 months from date of manufacture." The sheet for LME also says 24 months, but it tends to degrade faster than DME.
Fresh is best but it will still make beer. If it's LME there will be an increased risk of being darkened and stale.

http://www.brewingwithbriess.com/Assets/PDFs/Briess_PISB_CBWSparklingAmberDME.pdf

Welcome to BA

 

LME is basically born stale (i.e. oxidized). It's why people add it late in the boil, to mitigate the color coming out too dark. I shudder to think about LME from 2016. But hey, someone will probably be along to say they used 4 year old LME and it made great beer.

 

@FrankJDeD, here's a thread that has a little info on DME/LME:
https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/lme-vs-dme.209833/

And this links to a conversion chart on Jay's Brewing site, in case you see an all-grain recipe that you'd like to convert to extract....or would like to convert LME amounts to DME:
https://www.jaysbrewing.com/2011/11/17/lazy-chart-for-converting-dme-lme-grain/

 

If you think that the LME is too old, the hops and yeast definitely are.

 

4 year old LME is stale. Do yourself a favor and get fresh (or fresher) LME. It's a lot of time and effort to brew a bath, may as well make the best beer you can.

Even better, buy up some DME, it stays fresh for a long time. The only problem is that it is hydroscopic and will turn into a malt cobble as soon as the bag is opened. But in general, DME is superior in many ways to LME. You will need to adjust your recipe, i think 80% DME to replace LME but don't quote me on this. And there are limited varieties of DME. Extra Light Light Amber Dark, more or less. Oh, wheat blend too.

Many of us will bust out a fast DME brew from time to time and are satisfied with the results.

Cheers

 

Unless you're adept at multi-tasking and can brew in a bath.

 

Not quite brewing in a bath but I often advocate for cleaning your brew equipment in the shower. Get in there with your kettle and scrub away. I do it. Why not?

Cheers

 

In the past I might have used it to pressure can starter wort. However, I have little use for starters since reducing batch size to 2.5-3 gallons, using mostly dry yeast.