How old is too old? Dark malts

[Josh Hughes]

How long do you keep dark and roasted malts before tossing? I have some chocolate malt and pale chocolate malt that have been open for three years obviously, I do not use much in a batch, which is why it’s still there.

 

[Zambi]

I think I would go by smell...

I got some malt I bought in small amounts, but don't/hardly use. I keep those in my freezer

 

[Over The Cliff Brewing]

I too have some of the dark malts that are a couple years old in sealed containers. I used some pale chocolate a couple of brews ago and it was fine.

 

[Minbari]

if they are in an air tight container and kept dry. should keep for years.

I ussualy do a "kitchen sink" ale once a year or so just to get rid of older stock, lol.

 

[BarbarianBrewer]

Since dark and roasted malts are used in smaller amounts, I think they would have to be noticeably off (smell or taste bad) before they would negatively affect your beer. Even if they are a bit stale they would still impart the color or roastiness without imparting a stale flavor to the beer. Now stale base grains are another matter.

Note: All of the above are uneducated guesses.

 

[Ozarks Mountain Brewery]

as long as the moisture level is close, any grain that hasn't had some sort of mildew or moisture will survive years, for best results on any grain taste it before using

 

[Megary]

as long as the moisture level is close, any grain that hasn't had some sort of mildew or moisture will survive years, for best results on any grain taste it before using

This.

Taste a few kernels. If they seem soft and chewy, I’d toss them. Firm and crunchy…then they should still be fine. I’d bet yours are still ok.

 

[Josh Hughes]

Thanks for the responses.

 

[Ward Chillington]

When they smell like cheese!

The Brülosophy guys did a 6 month test with no discernable difference and I've hear others, Denny and Drew maybe, claim a couple years. Briess has a good blog entry on this too. I've personally done 3 months milled and not refrigerated in a paper bag with no impact....to the beer that is...

https://www.brewingwithbriess.com/blog/a-day-in-the-shelf-life/

 

[Craigerrr]

I have several darker malts that I have had for ages, I keep them in sealed containers at room temperature. I haven't found that they have deteriorated over time.