Using old malt

[Dan]

Times are tough I have no grain, just a crusty old coopers real ale kit dated 2004, which i was given the other week.

 I never thought I would do this let alone use a kit beer again but has anyone used a very old can of malt before and got drinkable results? ive got lots of hops and fresh wyeast smackpack, I intend to boil it in the kettle add alot of flavour hops, should I do it?

[jt]

If the choice is thirst - do it !

[bart]

In the book 'Radical Brewing' by Randy Mosher, he speaks very badly of old malt extract, saying it gives a 'ballpoint pen ink' flavour and aroma. I seem to recall he was saying avoid extract that's over about one year old. So I'd imagine that 6 year old malt extract would potentially be not too good. Then again, it could be allright. I'd say open the can, give it a sniff, give it a taste, and see if you think it's worth proceeding further.

[Chris Banks]

Is the can bulging at all? I have a 07 expiry can of cascade lager kit and the ends of the can are bulging a little I was going to take mine to the end of the street and throw it at the first ford to come past!! LOL!!

[Dan]

Nah no bulge, so its still clean.
You wont be able to taste ballpoint pen past all the hops i intend to use, and im not that fussy anyway.
Hi Jt, long time! yeh its thirst, so I,ll do it! cheers for the encouragement :)

[jt]

I did that cooper lager & 2 kg of grain - but with the kit yeast
A once in a lifetime experiment - hey mash some weetbix too Dan !

[Christian]

Yep, biff up would be my suggestion.

[Craig]

Personally, I'd biff it and go buy a fresh can. I reckon old malt in a liquid form is the main cause of what I call the good-old home-brew twang. I'm sure the malt won't be off, but oxidisation is reportedly accelerated in a liquid form. 6-8 years is a long time. To avoid this issue (with fairly good reflective results) I used to ensure the can always had 1+ years to go on the expiry.

Life's too short to drink beer you're not enjoying.

[jt]

Life's too short to drink beer you're not enjoying.

And it's a long life without beer.

Do the pantry over Dan, get all the mashable grain and cereal out and spruce it up a bit

[Dan]

Right on! Jt. good idea, i,ll stop at the coco pops though ;)
If I had money to buy ingredients Craig i would buy some maris otter, maybe next week! havent brewed in quite a while.
Got lots of homegrown to throw in, and wont be using sugar, so the twang may not be too bad.
Alright kettles on, its all go!

[jt]

Throw the coco-pops in if you're considering a chocolate stout

[Stu McKinlay]

Go for it.
Make a 5L batch of barleywine, it'll be pre-oxidised!

[Jona Hjelmstrom]

For a start the kit malt is pre-hopped so go easy on the extra hops !
Pac-n-save sell tins of maltexo malt for $8.30 or free if you can run fast enough !
But don't get the one with fish oil unless you are planning on a cold and flu prevention while you drink.
As far as kits go, I think thats real lazy and over priced beer.
A mate always brews kits and they always have little or no head and taste on the edge of being vinegar.
Have you thought of busking with a sign saying " Help me feed my home brewing habit".
Pam Corkery has an 'opening or two' at her new women's brothel?
A good set of beer goggles a definite advantage