Pale malt types

[GHW]

How much difference does your type of pale malt make to a beer?

For instance, if a recipe says U.S. 2-row, but you use Maris Otter, is it likely to have a noticeable effect on your final beer (all other things being equal)?

Just wondering.

 

[clibit]

You would notice if you made two identical brews and tasted them side by side, in some beer styles at least. Some styles mask the base malt - tons of hops, lots of roast. Even then, you might spot the difference. Some pale malts are more different than others though. But the differences are subtle.

 

[GHW]

any you'd suggest not swapping out?

So far I've just gone MO for everything, mainly as it's easier to buy a big bulk load of it.

 

[clibit]

Not really no. I don't worry about it. Unless you are looking for a clone. Golden Promise is different from MO - if you are cloning a beer that uses Golden Promise, and you want a close match, use Golden Promise. If you are not too fussy, like me, use MO. I've used those, and Pearl, and Dingeman's pale malt. Pearl is a bit 'thinner', but nice and you get high efficiency, Dingeman's is richer and I really liked it. It's Belgian. But I've made really good beers with al of them, and less good. Other factors are more crucial I think - yeast, recipe, hops, good fermentation etc.

Just my opinion.

 

[simon12]

I have read of people getting varying efficiencies with different malts (even same malts different suppliers) but a small commercial brewer told me hes made the same beer with UK pale malt and maris otter from various suppliers and can't tell the difference in taste or efficiency so he just uses the cheapest.