How long do grains last?

[Beer-lord]

I have a relatively small amount of some specialty malts that I don't use often and they are approaching 2 years old. I keep all my grains in Vittle Vaults in a dry area and so far, no problems that I know of.
But, I'm thinking these should be used soon or throw out. They taste fine to me but I can't say I know what they're supposed to taste like, just that they don't give me a stale or nasty taste.

Anyone know how long these should be good for? I seem to remember a post in the Old Mr. Beer forum that as long as they are whole, dry and out of the air, 2 years shouldn't be bad.

[John Sand]

I have stuff that is older, and it still tastes good.
I think that survivalist preppers and grain suppliers say it will keep for years unless you crush it. It's only harvested annually, then stored in silos and bulk ships. There is no such thing as fresh grain unless you grow it.

[ScrewyBrewer]

I have stuff that is older, and it still tastes good.
I think that survivalist preppers and grain suppliers say it will keep for years unless you crush it. It's only harvested annually, then stored in silos and bulk ships. There is no such thing as fresh grain unless you grow it.

Yes, I've heard the same thing. I'd think darker grains, used for color, can be stored as long even after being crushed.

[Beer-lord]

Great, I’ll just keep them and use them when needed.

[Kealia]

Q: How long do grains last?
A: Until you use them.

(runs and ducks.....)

[berryman]

Q: How long do grains last?
A: Until you use them.

(runs and ducks.....)

I like Kealia's answer.
Ok and now not from speaking as a brewer but as a farmer. Grains if properly dried and stored will last many years, do they loose some of there goodness? Maybe but unlikely. It's a known fact that once milled it has a shorter shelf life, but whole and dry and properly stored can last a very long time. Two, Three and four or more years I can't see a problem.

[John Sand]

They last even after you use them. When I ship beer via USPS, (shhh) I list the contents as "preserves".

[mashani]

FWIW, if I get pre-crushed specialty grains and I am not going to use them right away I freeze them. They seem to last a long time that way and it all turns out good when I used them later.

I'm not sure if you can freeze pre-crushed base malt or not though (does it screw up the enzymes somehow, I don't know?).

[Beer-lord]

I’m remembering these answers from the Mr. Beer forum long ago.

[bpgreen]

FWIW, if I get pre-crushed specialty grains and I am not going to use them right away I freeze them. They seem to last a long time that way and it all turns out good when I used them later.

I'm not sure if you can freeze pre-crushed base malt or not though (does it screw up the enzymes somehow, I don't know?).

I did a Google search on the effects of freezing enzymes, and freezing won't damage them.

[berryman]

I would also think if vacuum sealed before freezing they would keep a long time.

[John Sand]

My wife won't be happy to hear that.
She thinks the freezer is for food!

[mashani]

My wife won't be happy to hear that.
She thinks the freezer is for food!

You can eat grain. Therefore it *is* food.

[John Sand]