2 row vs 6 row

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claphamsa

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Whats the difference? as i see it, 6 row is cheaper, and has more husks, which would be better for draining the mash.... so why do we all use 2 row?
 
First off, 2-row has a better flavor profile to use as a base grain. It's got a high diastatic power so it's capable of converting itself as well as a good amount of specialty grains which have been toasted or roasted and have no enzymes of their own. However, the famous american lager makes use of a very high percentage of adjuncts like corn and rice. When using a lot of rice or corn (say 40% of your mash), the 2-row has insufficient diastatic power to convert itself and all the adjuncts. That's where 6-row steps in. Although it doesn't taste as good as two row, it has super high diastatic power and can convert itself as well as all the adjuncts. As far as I know, that's pretty much the only reason to use 6-row over 2-row. For it's conversion capabilities.
 
6-row has too much protein to make a good all malt beer. That is why American lagers historically were not all malt.

When you think about the price, remember that you get less yield per pound of grain with 6-row so the price difference is not as large as it may seem.
 
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