What to do with "old" malt?

[hairybiker]

I have been given an bag of UNCRUSHED malt. It has been about for several years but closed and in the warm (a house).
What is best to do with it?

1. do a mash and try it
2. make it into crystal/amber etc?
3. WHY?

any suggestions?

 

[Muddydisco]

Give it to some chickens.
It's not worth losing a batch of beer for.

 

[jinxy72]

could make a smaller 'test' batch (BIAB method) to see if its ok to use .... that way only losing 5L's or so if it aint :thumb:

 

[arkadiuszmakarenko]

If malt was dry all the time it is fine. Dry malt (4-5% moisture) is stable and can be stored for years. Problems start when malt moisture reaches 14%...
But if bag is thick and is made of 2 layers, and closed in a malthouse, everything should be all right with this malt.

 

[evanvine]

You will know if it is off by the horrible musty smell!
If it smells "sweet" it is perfectly ok.