RMessenger
Well-Known Member
would you use pellet hops that are 3-5 years old? They're nitrogen flushed packages and have been stored in my freezer. Should I just compost them?
I read a bunch of the studies referenced in the development of the formulas (bitterness reduction formulas), and I think the storage conditions used in the studies were more appropriate to commercial brewers. (i.e. room temp storage, hops stored for months, rather than years, for the most part, etc). I have the impression these storage conditions (freezer, nitrogen purged, pellet hops, years in storage <rather than months in storage>) are quite a bit different than the conditions in the studies, and therefore are beyond the scope of the formulas. I am sure bittering value changes over time, but not to the extent predicted by some calculators.
I have used several year old pellets for brewing for 5 years or better (have bulk hop pellets 8 years old or so) and haven't noticed appreciable lack of bitterness. However, these are light cream ales and lagers for the most part. A DIPA might be more noticeable in the bitterness department. I think the bigger difference is in the degradation of the aromatics over time.
I saw on this forum about a IBU test for reasonable money. I might have to brew up an experiment or two, just out of curiosity.
Thanks! I might use some old hops @60 min for a porter and use some fresh (fresher) hops for the other additions.
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