shift3 Black series starter kit ~4 years old

General Homebrew Discussion
1

I’ve got a “The Black Series” pale ale starter kit from shift3 that has been sitting around the house unused for 3 or 4 years. Barley Malt, hops, and yeast all sealed and untouched for that time. Box stored at room temperature out of the light.

Do you brewers think I can still use these ingredients or should I buy new ones before attempting my first brew?

Thanks for your help.
twehrhan

2

Since you’ve got it, you’ve got nothing to lose but time by trying it.  I’m not real hopeful, but you never know. The yeast especially could be a problem.

3

Buy yourself some more yeast.  The first time you make a beer you’ll probably make a few mistakes but the beer will probably turn out fine.  If it doesn’t chalk it up to learning curve and be happy you didn’t buy a new kit.

4

Thanks for the replies. I’ve ordered some dry ale yeast on-line.

5

Ive brewed w/ malt extract cans so old they were swollen. One had a tiny amt of mold which i scooped out.  Bottom line i chanced that an hr. Boiling would kill anything toxic. Nothing wrong w/ the brew at all. Even multi yr. old dry yeast was invigorated back to life. To be sure, fresher is better.

6

My first brew came out of a boxed kit that I am fairly sure was a few years old by the time I brewed it. Not the best beer I’ve ever had but it wasn’t the worst and fermented out just fine. Your experience will probably be the same but I agree you should at least buy an extra packet of dry yeast. Pitch what is in the kit and if you don’t see activity in a couple days pitch your backup.

7

I would be very leery of using LME in cans that are swollen.  Swollen cans mean something like botulism might be present.  Mold on the LME could also leave toxic chemicals in the LME that you may not be able to boil off.  If it were me, I would pitch them and get new cans.  It’s better to be super safe here than risk poisoning yourself.

8

Thanks again for the input.  I talked to a pal that brews all the time.  He suggested chucking the hops from the kit as well.  I’ve ordered and received new yeast and hops.  I’ll be starting the the fermentation within the next couple of days.  Going to try and brew with all Citra Hops.  I see in various forums that this may or may not be a good idea.  I’ll let y’all know how it turns out.

9

twehrhan -  Hope all goes well. I’ve had good outcome with Citra hops - love 'em! Sound like a good plan to sub out the yeast and hops both.