Bairds Maris Otter Pale Ale Malt

[HopWroester]

The description of this is

'This is a blended malt made with 50% Maris Otter and 50% Pale Ale malt.'

I'm having a case of the dumb - can some explain to me the basic difference between MO and PA malts?

Thanks in advance
Mark

 

[clibit]

My understanding is that MO is one type of pale malt, and pale ale malt is another name for pale malt. By stating the grain is 50% MO and 50% pale ale malt, I presume they are saying that they will use another pale malt to make up the total, and keep the price competitive, but 50% will be Maris Otter - a grain that has a great name for brewing. It's a form of marketing.

I may be wrong.

 

[TheRedDarren]

That's pretty much as I understand it too.
Maris Otter is just one type of pale malt, or base malt.
It's a premium variety and therefore one of the most expensive.
I noticed recently when I was researching Pipkin pale malt that that is also a blend, 50% MO.
Other types are Golden Promise, Pipkin, Halcyon, Optic and Pearl to name a few.

 

[HopWroester]

Makes sense.

So if a recipe said 5kg of MO, would using this make much difference?

 

[geetee]

I have also seen Propino, a new variety, offered by Crisp, relatively cheap at about £16 per 25kG

As far as I am concerned malt is like cola some like Pepsi, some like Coke but they are both colas, I reckon there are not many recipes where MO would make a significant difference. I know that Golden Promise variety is well used for some very well known ales (TTL)but is not always available for home brewers as it is mainly used for distilling.

PS

Marris Otter malt is 50 years old this year in August, it was in it's day recognised as particularly well modified for brewing but has been overtaken by many new varieties. it still remains a favourite of home brewers possibly just out of habit

 

[clibit]

Makes sense.

So if a recipe said 5kg of MO, would using this make much difference?

No, you'll struggle to know there's any difference.