Light-colored diastatic malts such as 2-row or Pilsner malt will stay fresh for 6–12 months, while specialty grains will last for 12–18 months. More heavily kilned malts, such as roasted barley or chocolate malt, can last even longer. Old malt extract can break down chemically and sometimes pick up mold.
How can you tell if malt is bad?
How to tell if barley malt has gone bad?
- Discoloration: if your gains have turned colorless or darker with time, then it is a sign that your grains have gone bad.
- Mold formation: barley malt can develop molds when kept for a long time; always store them at a cool, dry place and check for molds before using.
How long will milled malt last?
Under these favorable conditions, malt can be stable for up to 18 months, though the sooner you use it the better. If your grains are crushed, store as you would whole malt, but expect degradation to occur after about six months of storage under ideal conditions.
