Can old LME be used for starters?
Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 2:08 pm
by Toasty
Ok, so it's been a year since my son was born, and it's been a year and a half since I brewed. For all that time there has been a clear jar of amber LME in the back of the fridge. Age and light have surely taken their toll, but can I use it for starters? I plan on boiling some up and tasting it, but I was wondering what the thoughts of the forum were.
Toast
Re: Can old LME be used for starters?
Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:39 pm
by Bugeater
The amount of the old LME going into your final wort is so small that it won't have any impact on your beer. If you are still a little paranoid, just decant the starter wort off the yeast just before pitching and there will be no problem at all.
Wayne
Re: Can old LME be used for starters?
Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:05 pm
by mordantly
a friend has 2 5-gal buckets lme factory sealed in the fridge from ~2006 that are stll taste fine enough to brew with.
Re: Can old LME be used for starters?
Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2011 10:09 am
by brewinhard
I would say as long as there is no mold on the surface than you are golden!
Re: Can old LME be used for starters?
Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 7:21 pm
by Toasty
No mold, tasted fine as the extract and tasted fine after the boil. Threw in Wyeast 1968 and stirred overnight on the plate.
Based on the tastings I don't think I necessarily have to decant the excess wort before pitching, but I probably will anyway. Many new additions to the system, so I'll want to eliminate it as a possible source of any problems.
Thanks all!
Toast