Grain Question

[homebrewaddict]

I am getting ready to try making a clone. Here's the dilemma. I have formulated the recipe, and in doing so have utilized the grains that I had left over from 2 brewing sessions ago. This particular brewing session was November of last year. For that time, they have sat in tupperware containers in the fridge (they are uncrushed).

My question is are they okay to use or should I just fork over the few dollars and get "new" grains (lord only knows how long they have been sitting on the shelf of the homebrew shop)?

[Fast_Eddy]

With the amount of work that it takes to make a brew, why use questionable grain?

[ray m]

I agree with FastEddy...If it was me, I would probably buy "fresh" grain, since it doesn't really cost that much anyway. Although, the owner of the homebrew store that I go to says that if grain is in a good, fairly airtight container (like tupperware), is uncrushed, and is stored in a fridge where the humidity level is under control, then grain in that state can last for awhile. If these conditions exist, I think your grain will probably be fine for brewing. I would do the "smell & taste" test. If it doesn't smell stale/moldy to you, and tastes like grain should taste---you may say to yourself "Self!! This grain may be just fine for my next masterpiece!"