2-row/6-row combo base malt

[homemaltster]

I recently brewed a Fat Tire clone that deviated from the recipe a good bit. Most significantly, I didn't have enough 2-row pale malt, so I added some 6-row to round out my base malt. The ratio of 2-row to 6-row is about 2 to 1.

Has anyone had experience combining 2-row and 6-row? Did I commit a horrible brewing sin?

 

[IslandLizard]

Nah, they can be used interchangeably. 6-row has a higher Diastatic Power (30-50% higher than 2-row), and contains somewhat more husk matter and a little bit more protein, IIRC. Otherwise, either is fine to use.

Now there are more 2-row varieties available, so you'd have more choice with those. In a Fat Tire they won't make much if any difference, although I'm willing to bet a Maris Otter Fat Tire will have more character.

 

[BargainFittings]

It will be fine. The 6 row is a bit lighter color and has more protein. Won't hurt anything.

 

[day_trippr]

I routinely use half/half US 2-row pale malt and British 6-row pearl instead of simply the former, as the slightly lighter latter brings some bready/biscuity character along...

Cheers!

 

[Yooper]

US 6 row has a 'grainier' taste but otherwise they are so similar as to be indistinguishable in flavor.

 

[homemaltster]

Awesome. I figured it wouldn't be a big deal, just wondering if there was much incentive to combine 2-row and 6-row. Or use multiple base malts. I don't see many recipes call for this...