old hops in the freezer?

[mrjonnyp]

i have some hops in the freezer, been there for just over 2 years. Are they good to use still? they are in silver foil bags but they have been opened.

Been off brewing for a while but im wanting to get back into it, cost is a major issue so it would be helpful if i could use them

[Jim]

I've just used some that were best before 2010.

I've used ones nearly as old as that before without trouble. The alpha acid does reduce over time, so you need to allow for that in your recipe, but keeping them in the freezer slows that down considerably.

[Evanvine]

You'll be ok with them, most home brewers tend to over hop anyway!

[mrjonnyp]

oh thats good news then, jumping to a different forum now for some recipe ideas

[Patterd Ale]

I would be inclined to bin them. Brewing takes too long to bother with substandard hops. I used to bulk buy, no more. Freshness is king, freezing helps, but only so far.

[Evanvine]

I would be inclined to bin them. Brewing takes too long to bother with substandard hops. I used to bulk buy, no more. Freshness is king, freezing helps, but only so far.

Do you not consider that vacuum packing is more significant than freezing?

[Jocky]

i have some hops in the freezer, been there for just over 2 years. Are they good to use still? they are in silver foil bags but they have been opened.

Been off brewing for a while but im wanting to get back into it, cost is a major issue so it would be helpful if i could use them

If cost is more important to you than quality, you can use them - as Jim says, you just might need to use a bit more.

If you want to brew the best beer you can though, fresher is better.

[Evanvine]

If you want to brew the best beer you can though, fresher is better

This is the major reason for growing your own hops!

[Hanglow]

Smell them, if they smell good then they are fine, but adjust any bittering as jim says

You'll know if they have oxidised, they'll smell like cheese. Then you can chuck them or keep them until the cheese goes and use them in lambic/anyhting where you don't want hop flavour/aroma as they'll retain some of their preservative abilities but lose their flavour/aroma

[Patterd Ale]

I would be inclined to bin them. Brewing takes too long to bother with substandard hops. I used to bulk buy, no more. Freshness is king, freezing helps, but only so far.

Do you not consider that vacuum packing is more significant than freezing?

I used to, I used to have 15kg plus of various all vacuum packed. Not all frozen. I would rather frozen in a sandwich bag than vacuum packed and not frozen. Even then, I now buy only for the next brew or two. Too many disappointments. As has been said, what is more important? Cost, or quality.

[Evanvine]

As has been said, what is more important? Cost, or quality.

See you down the pub sometime then!

[Patterd Ale]

As has been said, what is more important? Cost, or quality.

See you down the pub sometime then!

Erm.., As I place quality above cost. I am skint!! As such, can't afford to go to the pub. Sorry!

[Rookie]

I would rather frozen in a sandwich bag than vacuum packed and not frozen.

Before I got a vacuum sealer I wrapped hops in tinfoil, put that in a sandwich bag and then into a freezer bag. I bought a bunch of amarillo when they first came out and were a bit hard to find. I used the last of that lot over five years later; they were still good.

[Evanvine]

+1 from me Rookie!