Alfa acid in vacuum packaged hops from the shop

[johnny_dove]

Says the batch is from 2011. Brewers gold 8 % aa. Original vacuum packaging from the shop. Guaranteed quality to 2014. Just used for a batch. BUT now I found this tool in Beersmith. Hop age degradation tool. Calculates the hops as virtually useless... Could it be so? Will my bitter ale be very very mild?

 

[jonnymorris]

I've not found that particular tool... does it take account for the fact that they're vacuum packed?

 

[johnny_dove]

Yes, and storage temperature and degradation rate of each hop variety. It's under tools.

 

[EskiBrew]

In my experience it over-estimates the degree of degradation - in a few recipes lately I have increased the hop quantity to allow for the supposed degradation and then found that my beer was unbalanced (i.e. far too bitter for recipe) whereas it had not been before. I am therefore treating it with caution until I understand why...

Out of interest, how have you stored your vac pack? - In the bottom of the freezer or in a cupboard?
I always store mine in the bottom drawer of the freezer :thumb:

EDIT: Not sure what you are doing but when I run your figures in Beersmith, I get 6.08% as the effective AA value now.

 

[Belter]

I was going to say.... There's no way they'd degrade that much. I've used 2011 hops and they've only dropped a few points. (I know it's different for each hops storage index)

 

[johnny_dove]

Had them in room temp storage for a month. But store all hops in my freezer these days, opened and new packages alike. Who knows how it was stored in the shop...

 

[Belter]

Had them in room temp storage for a month. But store all hops in my freezer these days, opened and new packages alike. Who knows how it was stored in the shop...

Oh dear.

Lesson learnt.

Guess you'll have to report back and we can all learn from it :)

 

[johnny_dove]

Yes one expects vacuum packaged stuff that are guaranteed to 2014 to be ok. Interesting to see how it goes. Explains why the newest batches are more expensive

 

[EskiBrew]

Yes one expects vacuum packaged stuff that are guaranteed to 2014 to be ok. Interesting to see how it goes. Explains why the newest batches are more expensive

I would be surprised if there were not small print attached to that guarantee - i.e. if stored in ideal conditions - definitely not at room temp...
I'd certainly not buy anything that old from a HBS myself :nah: