dcarter

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Can anyone tell me the difference in 2 row american and 4 row american barley?

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Baron von BeeGee

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I've never heard of 4-row. 2-row has two rows of heads while 6-row has six rows of heads. From a brewer's standpoing, 6-row has more diastatic power than 2-row (more enzymes to aid in conversion) but 2-row is considered to have a fuller, maltier taste.

Some good reading is available on the web:
http://byo.com/mrwizard/872.html

the_bird

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Under what circumstances is the use of 6-row (instead of 2-row) generally called for?

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Baron von BeeGee

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I've never used 6-row before, so can't say based on experience. I think some people like the grainier flavor that 6-row provides and it may also be advantageous when mashing large amounts of adjuncts (think BMC and rice) due to its high diastatic power.

dcarter

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Sorry bird, I meant 6 row. So the difference is that it is a different strain of the same species of barley? It would seem that either variety would make a good standard ale then right?

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Primary:Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Clone

My trash heap fridge rescue and conversion to a first class fermentation chamber

If you don't like your job, you don't strike!.....You just go in everyday and do it really half a$$ed, THATS the American way! - Homer J Simpson

the_bird

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I'll defer to the experts, but aren't there some other differences, like protein content? Can you still do a standard single-step infusion mash with 6-row?

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Come join Yankee Ingenuity!

"I'm kind of toasted. But I looked at my watch and it's only 6:30 so I can't stop drinking yet." - Yooper's Bob
"Brown eye finally recovered after the abuse it endured in Ptown last weekend, but it took almost a full week." - Paulie
"no, he just doesn't speak 'stupid'. i, however, am fluent...." - motobrewer

dcarter

Recipes 

By the way, the coopers cervesa that I made last was terrible. Way to sweet with no hoppiness at all. I may have bottled to soon since it tastes so malty but I was dissapointed anyway. I have a coopers stout in secondary right now and plan to do an all grain red ale at Christmas then I will start using the american 2 row it seems. I want to make a good APA. Any tips would be appreciated. Thanks guys and thanks Barron von Bee Gee.

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Primary:Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Clone

My trash heap fridge rescue and conversion to a first class fermentation chamber

If you don't like your job, you don't strike!.....You just go in everyday and do it really half a$$ed, THATS the American way! - Homer J Simpson

wild

Recipes 

Try a read on the article about the differences between the two.

Wild

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boo boo

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4 row barley is still grown and malted in northern europe, where it is prized for its hardiness in the cold climate. It is not widely used elsewhere due to its steeliness and low yeild. It is actually a six row barley that appears to have 4 rows because of its thin elongated head.

This according to Noonan in New Brewing Lager Beer.

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Baron von BeeGee

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Well, I should have known that since I'm a Noonanite!