A question of freshness?

[Smallbeer]

Hi Guys,

Last year I bought a craft range Czech pilsener.
It had date of 06/16, life got in the way and it still sits on my shelf.

Question... go ahead and brew it, swap out some ingredients, or bin it.

Comments and answers on a post card please.

Thanks in advance

[oconn]

at best fresh yeast... or you could fire it on and repitch a yeast if needed ?

[Leann ull]

Never gonna be great, but worth a punt with fresh yeast

[LordEoin]

I agree. Some fresh yeast and of you go. What's the worst that can happen?

[nigel_c]

Some nice dress saaz will add a bit of freshness into it if it's not great. Dry hopped.

[WaterWolf]

I have a similar question. I have a HBC all grain stout kit that my girlfriend got over a year ago but hasn't got around to making yet. No BB date on it. I imagine it won't be at its best anymore, but do you think it will at least still be decent?

[pob]

I have a similar question. I have a HBC all grain stout kit that my girlfriend got over a year ago but hasn't got around to making yet. No BB date on it. I imagine it won't be at its best anymore, but do you think it will at least still be decent?

Well past it, if the grain has been crushed & you've not kept the hops in a freezer & the yeast in the fridge.

Crushed grain should be really be used up within a couple of weeks at max (most people would say a day or two for true freshness). If the hops haven't been stored correctly & as the kit it's over a year old, they're probably 2014 or earlier hops, they're past it as well.

Yeast should have a Use By/BB date on it? needs to be stored in a cool, dark place.

[Leann ull]

I have a similar question. I have a HBC all grain stout kit that my girlfriend got over a year ago but hasn't got around to making yet. No BB date on it. I imagine it won't be at its best anymore, but do you think it will at least still be decent?

Birds will love it this time of the year

[Macy]

Found an old bitter kit that I never did when I dusted off the equipment, I think a couple of years past best before. I've taken on board a lot of the advice I've read here, and what google has thrown up, and going to chance it as the next brew anyway! The tin seems to be ok, so I ordered a new yeast and East Kent Golding bruphoria finishing hops to dry hop.

I won't be too upset if it doesn't come up to much - I'll just treat it as another practice of my technique, as first brew back didn't go that smoothly to be honest (but gravity reading samples are nice!).

[Leann ull]

Kits are worth a punt grain on the other hand🤢

[Smallbeer]

Thanks for the feedback.
Reckon I'll stick it on this weekend.
I have 100g of saaz hops unopened, dry hop it as advised ( is 100g enough/too much)
The kit came with 20 g of larger yeast, should I pitch a new top notch yeast( suggestions welcome) as well or on its own?

Sorry for all the questions.

[Leann ull]

You could use Nottingham at lower temps say 17, or cal common ale yeast, again on the low side, not too low on temp side or yeast will go dormant , if you use mangrove jacks you need two packs
I'd be reluctant to recommend proper lager yeast unless you have temp control
Probably go 50g on the saaz for 3-4 days max

[Smallbeer]

Thanks CH, the 100 was going in 😀.
I have a controlled chamber, so I can try a premium lager yeast.

[Leann ull]

Take a small sip after the 3 or 4 days you can always chuck in the extra 50 for another 3 or 4 days.
If you have a chamber go for it.

[Smallbeer]

And your suggestion for yeast..... feed me Seymour, feed me