My local homebrew store is 2 blocks from where I work, yet 25 minute (drive) from my house. I like to brew on the weekend, and in the past have just driven to the shop to get the grains fresh the morning of brew day. It delays the start of my day because I have to wait until the shop opens, and the commute time.
I have wanted to get the grains a day or two prior to my brew day on my way home from work, so I could get an early start in the weekend.
I have them crush the grains for me.
My question is, How long do I have from crushing the grain, which is kept in a brown paper bag, to mash, without it affecting my beer?
I thought as much but got a lot of mixed responses, from the homebrew shop itself nonetheless. He told me once a couple of days would be fine, then one time he said I don’t want to leave milled grains overnight b/c it they could start breaking down and it would be adverse to my beer, etc. and I should get them fresh on brew day, so I was a little confused and came here.
+1 a few days, no worries. sooner is better, but if something came up and you had to wait till the next weekend to brew, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. some brew pubs/breweries buy their grain pre-crushed.
i crush my grain at lhbs (albeit only 5 pounds of any one variety usually) and keep what i don’t use in tupperware or similar in fridge. lasts fine for several months. i would not try that if you keep it in brown paper bag for long
I usually crush my grain the day before brew day to save a bit of time, with no ill effects. You’ll be fine for a couple days. Just keep them cool and dry.
I crush the day before sometimes to save time on brew day, and have kept crushed grain for a couple of weeks. I didn’t do any side by side comparisons to try to detect a difference, but the beer is good.
Buy 2 crushed recipes and use one right away and let the other sit around for 2 or 3 weeks. Bottle up a couple of each and mark them and have an acquaintance or spouse administer a 3 way blind taste test. My money says that you won’t be able to tell the difference.
This will help you get this notion out of your head so there will be one less thing to worry about and you can concentrate on the things that matter.
I usually get mine crushed a day or two (or five) before brewday and still usually get a brewhouse efficiency in the upper 70’s to lower 80’s.
My only suggestion is to invest a few bucks and get a 5 gallon plastic bucket to store the grains in. Most home improvement stores have them with a lid for $5 or under. You’ll prolly be able to fit your bucket right under the grain mill at the brew supply shop.