Out of Date - Colne Valley

[garwatts]

I've got a Brupaks Colne Valley Bitter pack dated Nov 2006. I understand that I will need new yeast (bought Muntons Premium Gold). What about the hops? teabag that comes with it? Can I still use it?
TIA

[Garth]

yep, new yeast is a good idea,

you're right, the hops may not be at their best, they don't come vacpacked, they're just in their teabag in a plastic bag, and might have been there for up to 4 years.....

I don't know what hops Clive Brupaks supplies with the Colne Valley kit, but if you are going to use them for aroma, maybe steep 20/30g of Fuggles or Goldings for 15 mins?

[Buzz]

When I was a kit man, my local HBS used to give me out of date kits and they turned out fine every time. I just changed the yeast as you suggested and the use of some fresh hops should work wonders. Crack on...

[Lillywhite]

When I was a kit man, my local HBS used to give me out of date kits and they turned out fine every time. I just changed the yeast as you suggested and the use of some fresh hops should work wonders. Crack on...

I did an out of date Wherry. The yeast was fine but the brew was a lot darker than standard Wherry so it seems the malt extract gets darker with age.

The beer tasted OK but I felt I was drinking a mild with the colour.

[sparky Paul]

it seems the malt extract gets darker with age.

That's correct.

Canned extract does get darker with age, but it doesn't seem to be any detriment to the flavour in my experience.