Good All Purpose Base Grain

[BradleyBrew]

Hey everyone! I'm looking to place my first bulk grain order. I'm getting tired of paying 1.50+ for bulk grains when I can buy a #50 sack of Briess Pale Ale Malt for .85 per #. I guess my question is what is a solid UNIVERSAL bulk grain to buy? I brew all kinds of beers but would rather invest in different yeast then spend twice as much for grains by the #. thoughts..?

 

[JefeTheVol]

2 row or Marris Otter are pretty much the base malts for most beers in America and England. I think your best bet is for one of those.
-Jefe-

 

[DeNomad]

Depends on what you brew. Any SMASH or british brews I would say Marris Otter, otherwise local 2 row. Marris otter is basically premium 2 row with a more nutty flavour.

 

[gr8shandini]

If you want the most versatile, go with the 2-row. I use Maris Otter in my bitters, IPAs, and APAs, but you could acheive mostly the same effect with a bit of crystal 10 or 20L mixed in with the 2-row.

 

[Paul07293]

A sack or two of 2 row malt will get you started for most styles.

 

[burninmules]

I buy sacks of 2-row. I love Maris Otter but, it costs me about $30 more.

 

[BradleyBrew]

Sorry for this question but whats the major difference between 2-row and Pale Malt? According to several charts the diastic power and lovibond is different. What about overall flavor contribution?

 

[Paul07293]

A quick primer: there are 2 types of barley commonly used in brewing, 2 and 6 row. 6 row has very high diastatic power and is generally use by commercial brewers. It is very good for brews high in adjuncts. 2 row is the type preferred by homebrewers. It is malted and kilned at varying temps to produce pilsner, pale, Vienna, Munich etc. malts. Pale and pilsner have plenty of diastatic power to convert themselves and most adjuncts. Munich and Vienna have less diastatic power due to the higher kilning temps but can self convert. Generally speaking, the more kilning, the less diastatic enzymes available.

Confusing the matter is the different terminology used by different maltsters to name their products

I keep on hand a sack of pale malt and a sack of pilsner.

 

[bnilguy]

+1 for 2 row