Pale malt

[johnnie]

I did my first AG last weekend and I'm planning another pretty soon but as I'm new to all grain I'm a bit confused about pale malt. My first recipe used pale malt, which I think i'm right in saying is the base for most recipes. So I just picked up a couple of 3kg bags of what was labelled pale malt from my LHBS. Looking at the website, however I've found theres an array of pale malts - Marris Otter, Pearl, Golden Promise, Halcyon, Belgian. Are these all the same? or do some recipes specify a different type of pale malt. Hope someone can clear this up for me, cheers

 

[keith1664]

I think I've used 3 -4 pale malts, pilsner malt and a couple of lager malts so far, once I drop some crystal and a load of hops in I really can't tell any difference.

 

[dennisking]

They are all varieties of pale malt, MO, pearl GP and Halcyon are all suitable for English style beers.

 

[johnnie]

Thanks dennisking. I think I read a post recently that said that most breweries claim to use Maris Otter, but they don't. Does this mean Marris Otter is a better grain?

 

[artiums_enteri]

I might be mistaken here, but I was always under the impression marris otter, perle, and bries were name brands of the maltsters. Marris otter is from the UK and grown in the UK. For me it gives me a slightly higher efficiency than bries which is grown in the US. Both are 2 row barley, but they come from different maltsters.

Belgian 2 row is exactly that. It's 2 row barley grown and typically used in Belgium and Belgian style beers.

Typically when talking about pale malts we are referring to unmodified malted 2 row barley. Pilsner malts are similar, but also include 6 row barley.

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

GP is top drawer. :thumb:

 

[keith1664]

I might be mistaken here, but I was always under the impression marris otter, perle, and bries were name brands of the maltsters. Marris otter is from the UK and grown in the UK. For me it gives me a slightly higher efficiency than bries which is grown in the US. Both are 2 row barley, but they come from different maltsters.

Belgian 2 row is exactly that. It's 2 row barley grown and typically used in Belgium and Belgian style beers.

Typically when talking about pale malts we are referring to unmodified malted 2 row barley. Pilsner malts are similar, but also include 6 row barley.

Maris Otter, halcyon, Concerto and Golden Promise are varieties of barley, Bries is a Maltster (as are Fawcetts, Simpsons, Crisps etc)

 

[keith1664]

Thanks dennisking. I think I read a post recently that said that most breweries claim to use Maris Otter, but they don't. Does this mean Marris Otter is a better grain?

Speaking to my LHBS owner recently, he reckons his supplier says more Maris Otter is sold than is actually grown!

 

[artiums_enteri]

Very good to know the difference between variety and company; thank you. That's something I've wondered for quite a while.

 

[jamesb]

Speaking to my LHBS owner recently, he reckons his supplier says more Maris Otter is sold than is actually grown!

That's a famous quote from Roger Protz. And like most of the things he says, take with a large pinch of salt.

 

[Darcey]

My LHBS labels all malt as 'pale malt' OR 'Maris Otter' in 500g, 3kg and 25kg. The supply's are variable so I am inclined to believe when it says 'Maris Otter' it acutally is. The rest of the time they are abit sketchy about what's in the bags or at least the story changes between the two of them. If they are out of MO I'd usually just use a UK lager malt! Should really get round to ordering 25kg from Rob!

D

 

[dennisking]

GP is top drawer. :thumb:

Only tried Golden Promise once and was impressed, does tend to be a bit more expensive as I believe it's organic grown.

 

[johnnie]

Think I need to do a bit of Googling. Varieties, maltsters, etc. Cheers guys

 

[tazuk]

just been to local home brew shop 4.5 kgs pale malt/maris otter £9.50 :shock:

just had a look on murphys ie local for me ie no post Crushed Malt in 25Kg Sacks £22.50
not mutch differnce :clap:
but how long can you keep it for ?????????

 

[dennisking]

just been to local home brew shop 4.5 kgs pale malt/maris otter £9.50 :shock:

just had a look on murphys ie local for me ie no post Crushed Malt in 25Kg Sacks £22.50
not mutch differnce :clap:
but how long can you keep it for ?????????

Stored cool and dry it will keep for a long while, I've heard of people keeping it for a year or so, never lasted that long in my house.

 

[tazuk]

sweet cheers 25kgs of grain here we come

 

[graysalchemy]

My LHBS labels all malt as 'pale malt' OR 'Maris Otter' in 500g, 3kg and 25kg. The supply's are variable so I am inclined to believe when it says 'Maris Otter' it acutally is. The rest of the time they are abit sketchy about what's in the bags or at least the story changes between the two of them.

D

Now how doesn't that surprise me :hmm: