Old LME, But is it Too Old?

[jimjohson]

I got 2, 15Kg(33lbs) factory sealed containers of 1 dark LME, and 1 wheat LME for Free! now the bummer side...they both expired in 08. neither container has any swelling and the sides are easily pushed in so I doubt it has any kind of gas build up. IMO aside from making unusually dark brews, 'cause it's old, it should be fine. However there are many whole libraries just full of stuff I don't know, so what do y'all think?

[RickBeer]

If they are cans, they should be fine. If they are plastic containers, I wouldn't use them.

[John Sand]

Time for a test batch. Make a one gallon test, not too hoppy, let the extract shine, (or not).

[Brewbirds]

Well until you opening them and look at/tastes them you won't know so what about sterilizing a big enough container, open them, smell them and taste them?

I understand that old extract tastes soapy because the amino acids break down over time and you get Milliard reaction in them.

Don't know if I'd pour a bunch of expensive yeast or other ingredients at them but hey I'm messing with some crazy stuff myself at the moment.

[mashani]

Even if it doesn't taste weird, it will be darker and unlikely to ferment as well because the maliard reactions convert the sugars into different forms which may not ferment as well. So this is a case where you would possibly run into a stuck fermentation, the kind of thing that gives extract a bad name.

If I used it I'd

1) have a backup plan, so when I opened it and tasted it, if it tasted weird I could roll with plan b.
2) if I used it, then overhop it to balance out the sweetness that is likely to remain.

[jimjohson]

well RickBeer called it. they're in plastic containers...I guessin using it would not be the best plan. oh well, at least I get a couple what appears to be 4 gallon containers and cost me nothing so still a win.