[Silver_Is_Money]

While sorting through the hops stored in my basement deep freezer I came across a few packs that are 5 years old at this juncture.  What say yee: Toss them or use them?

[Bob357]

Give them a sniff. I've used hops close to that old that were perfectly fine. They were unopened in original vacuum sealed Mylar for most of that time. I do age them to reflect a more realistic AA%. BeerSmith has a hop aging tool and I've seen one somewhere else, but not sure of the site.

[Cliffs]

Hops are cheap and life it too short to take risks on hop freshness imo.

[denny]

Are they still in original packaging?

[Silver_Is_Money]

Are they still in original packaging?

Yes, but some were previously opened.  They have always been frozen though.

[denny]

Are they still in original packaging?

Yes, but some were previously opened.  They have always been frozen though.

If they weren't vacuum sealed they may be questionable.  Give them a sniff.

[Silver_Is_Money]

If they weren't vacuum sealed they may be questionable.  Give them a sniff.

Is there a telltale odor that indicates they are no longer usable?

[denny]

If they weren't vacuum sealed they may be questionable.  Give them a sniff.

Is there a telltale odor that indicates they are no longer usable?

Cheese or dirty socks....seriously.  They should smell like hops.  Break up a few pellets.

[Joe_Beer]

Cheese or dirty socks....seriously.  They should smell like hops.  Break up a few pellets.

Had some opened Centennial hops that were in the freezer for 6 months. Cheesy describes it perfectly. There wasn't any "hop smell" left.

[kramerog]

Assuming they smell OK, perhaps only use them for IBUs, not flavor or aroma.

[goose]

Give them a sniff. I've used hops close to that old that were perfectly fine. They were unopened in original vacuum sealed Mylar for most of that time. I do age them to reflect a more realistic AA%. BeerSmith has a hop aging tool and I've seen one somewhere else, but not sure of the site.

ProMash used to have an age calculator for hops as well.