using an old unopened bag of grain

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by Lloyd528, Apr 13, 2012.

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  1. Lloyd528

    Lloyd528 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 Ohio

    What is the shelf life of grain? I have had a bag of grain, for almost two years. It has always been stored in a cool dry place but I am afraid to use it. Has it's usefulness expired? Should I just get rid of it and buy fresh grain?
     
    #1 Lloyd528, Apr 13, 2012
  2. marquis

    marquis Pooh-Bah (2,313) Nov 20, 2005 England
    Pooh-Bah

    It will probably be fine, remember that grain in any case has to last from harvest to harvest so a year old is routine.If it tastes ok then use it.It might however not be at its best and most suitable for styles in which this matters least such as porter/stout.
     
    #2 marquis, Apr 13, 2012
  3. olympuszymurgus

    olympuszymurgus Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 California

    Basemalt? Specialty grain?
     
    #3 olympuszymurgus, Apr 13, 2012
  4. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    When you say "a bag of grain" is this a 55# sack of uncracked base malt, a plastic bag with a few pounds of cracked grain, a paper bag? Whatcha got there?
     
    #4 leedorham, Apr 13, 2012
  5. Lloyd528

    Lloyd528 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 Ohio

    sorry about that, I should have been clear....It is 55 lb. bag of uncracked pale malt in the regular sacks they come in.
     
    #5 Lloyd528, Apr 13, 2012
  6. olympuszymurgus

    olympuszymurgus Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2009 California

    Use it up. Brew a big ol' barleywine with it.
     
    #6 olympuszymurgus, Apr 13, 2012
  7. NiceFly

    NiceFly Initiate (0) Dec 22, 2011 Tajikistan

    I don't always brew with old grain, but when I do I let my wort sit overnight and chill the next day.
    Stay thirsty my friends.
     
    #7 NiceFly, Apr 13, 2012
  8. leedorham

    leedorham Initiate (0) Apr 27, 2006 Washington

    I say use it. The recommendation I've heard is that the grain be used within one year of malting (it can sit in a silo for quite a while before being malted) but I doubt its unusable by any means.
     
    #8 leedorham, Apr 13, 2012
  9. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    For some reason I find this to be very interesting.
     
    #9 VikeMan, Apr 13, 2012
  10. sergeantstogie

    sergeantstogie Initiate (0) Nov 16, 2010 Washington

    Why?
     
    #10 sergeantstogie, Apr 13, 2012
  11. Lloyd528

    Lloyd528 Initiate (0) Dec 29, 2008 Ohio

    thank you, I will save my grain for a nice porter. I guess that will hide any imperfections. Since I haven't brewed in two years, I better start with something fresh for my 60 min Ipa clone recipe.
     
    #11 Lloyd528, Apr 13, 2012
  12. arkinsparkin

    arkinsparkin Initiate (0) May 12, 2010 Massachusetts

    Too funny, but then again that commercail guy drinks dos equis, blahh.
     
    #12 arkinsparkin, Apr 13, 2012
  13. ricksox

    ricksox Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2009 California

    Out of curiosity, should there be a concern for sawtooth beetles? Seriously, not joking. Genuinely curious. Thanks!
     
    #13 ricksox, Apr 13, 2012
  14. kjyost

    kjyost Initiate (0) May 4, 2008 Canada (MB)

    I would think that the hops would also hide any imperfections... I would have no concerns using this as a base for any beer... In my experience, malts take much longer to go stale than most think.
     
    #14 kjyost, Apr 14, 2012
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