Hop shelf life in freezer

[Bosch]

Was trying to google this but failed to get a clear answer.

How long do opened bag of hops last in the freezer.

I have several opened bags that have been resealed using the scientific technique of elastic bands.

 

[starseeker]

At least a year i would have thought

 

[The Baron]

A lot longer than some brewers would say IMO, I would be happy to use frozen hops after a year so plenty of time to use them

 

[Agentgonzo]

I've used some a year after opening. Clipped the bag closed, kept it in the freezer. Smelt as fresh when using it up as it did on the day it was opened

 

[Northern_Brewer]

Was trying to google this but failed to get a clear answer.

How long do opened bag of hops last in the freezer.

I have several opened bags that have been resealed using the scientific technique of elastic bands.

That's because there's no simple answer - different elements of hop flavour go off at different rates, and there can be big differences between varieties. A bad storer like Cascade might have a half-life of 6-7 months (unsealed, room temperature), whereas a good storer like Chinook might have a half-life of three times that. And at a vague handwaving level, storing them EITHER cold OR in the absence of oxygen (ie sealed, ideally with inert gas) will broadly double that, and cold AND sealed will almsot double it again.

Also the most volatile compounds will be lost first from an open bag, which are the aroma compounds you want for dry hopping. So ideally you want to dry-hop with new packs, whereas for boil additions there's a bit more tolerance for having been open.

Personally I try to avoid having bags open a long time (although there are some circumstances in which older hops are A Good Thing), and if it's been open more than 2-3 months I'll add a bit more to make up for them going off.