Bairds Medium Crystal

[Sc0ttyt^]

I've got this bag of Bairds Medium Crystal, but it doesn't have husks, should it? It seems crunchier and less sweet than a base malt. I'm wondering if there might have been a packaging issue or if this all tracks, thought?

 

[Kickass]

It looks a little odd to me. It almost looks like hard red wheat kernels. I’m not a grain aficionado so hopefully someone with a more keen eye can weigh in.

 

[hotbeer]

On Bairds website they seem to have husks on them. Maybe this was the last of the bigger bag your source pulled from and the husks had come off from all the other handling of previous orders. Or maybe a employee with no experience, saw that there were a lot of loose husks in the bottom of the bag and cleaned the husks off thinking it would be a good thing.

https://www.bairds-malt.co.uk/roasted-malts/medium-crystal-malt/

You can only really get a answer from your supplier. As you can see, I can make up things that might fit the picture, but also might be far from correct.

I'm not a expert on malts or grain at all. Just someone that saw your post and don't mind throwing in my 2¢.

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

I think Kickass is right, looks like wheat to me. Bairds doesn't even offer any de-husked grains, so I would send a picture of that to whomever you bought it from and ask them.

 

[user 246304]

I've got this bag of Bairds Medium Crystal, but it doesn't have husks, should it? It seems crunchier and less sweet than a base malt. I'm wondering if there might have been a packaging issue or if this all tracks, thought?View attachment 853051

I use a lot of this. This isn't crystal. Aside from the fact it's unhusked, there aren't any glassy elements showing.

Here's my 70/80:

Edit: I'd agree with others, it's most likely wheat malt. The only thing that is puzzling me is the color, but it may just be the lighting or my pretty poor vision. I'm missing the "red" tones in read wheat malt. Seems too "flat" and unpuffy to be torrefied wheat, and it's definitely not rye malt.

 

[MaxStout]

As others have pointed out, you got a mislabeled bag of wheat.

The label shows a phone number. Give them a call and tell them the batch number. Yours may not be the only wrong one and they may be able to tell what you have.

 

[Sc0ttyt^]

Thanks for all the replies. I also think it is most likely wheat. I will call the supplier and see where it goes. Only problem is I bought it a ways back. Maybe more than 6 months...

 

[MaxStout]

Thanks for all the replies. I also think it is most likely wheat. I will call the supplier and see where it goes. Only problem is I bought it a ways back. Maybe more than 6 months...

They might keep records of their production runs. The lot number will help.

 

[Kickass]

@Sc0ttyt^ was this purchased from Northern Brewer? Regardless, let us know what comes of it, please.

 

[AlexKay]

Why not both?

“Crunchier” definitely suggests crystal to me. And this is not particularly sweet; just a little lingering sweetness and even a touch of roast.