Hop pellet age

[RokGoblin]

I found a 1oz packet of 2010 noble hops in my fridge (not freezer) that have been there just over a year. Will they still be suitable for use or should I toss them? I usually buy hops batch by batch and never store them. I know a lot of brewers buy a 1 year supply but they usually keep them in a freezer so I am wondering if there is a significant difference if I kept this packet in the fridge.

My LHBS seals their hops in those dark grey packets that look like the ones you buy computer hardware in. I assume the packaging will block oxygen penetration and light but what do I know?

Peace,

G!

[snowcapt]

They are probably a bit weak.
I can tell you one way to find out for sure.

[BDawg]

Prepare to use them if they smell good, but buy a new pack of hops to have on hand just in case.

I've had hops in the fridge for a long time like that that were just fine. These probably are, too if properly sealed.

[Stinkfist]

There are styles that are good with old hops maybe look into one of those what kind of hops are they? That might make up my mind about them

[spiderwrangler]

If they are the bags I'm thinking of, they have limited oxy protection (and may or may not have been purged at filling), and moderate light protection. Although I haven't tried it, I've heard that you can 'age' hops by baking them at low temp (200F) for an hour or so (stinky) and then putting them in a paper bag to off gas for a number of days before brewing a lambic. Alternately, if they still smell good, they are usable, as mentioned above.

[RokGoblin]

Thanks for the info guys...I will just try the smell check and use them if they still smell good. I will save them for dry hopping I guess and use the fresher hops for bittering so I still hit my numbers.

[alan_marks]

Try a software program to estimate the AA% given the age and temp they were stored at. ProMash has an app that can calulate the estimated AA% given the age and storage temp.

hth,

[spiderwrangler]

http://www.brewerslair.com/index.php?p=brewhouse&d=calculators&id=cal16&u=eng