How do you buy grain?

[redrocker652002]

I usually plan two to three recipes out and order what I need unmilled. That way I can get free shipping from Morebeer. I have brick and motor Morebeer about 30 to 45 mins away. Since I can get free shipping, I do it that way. I have been toying with the idea of buying bulk for the base malts, but just don't have the room yet. If I ever get a dedicated brew room, then I will buy bulk for my base malts and maybe order a few of the specialty grains I seem to use the most of.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Mind sharing the recipe? I'd be down for giving this one a go!

I don't mind at all. This is the first iteration of the recipe, so by all means feels free to tweak it as you see fit. Do share back if you do though.

4 lbs Marris Otter
3 lbs malted wheat
1 lb flaked wheat
1 lb flaked barley
1 lb flaked oats
8 oz crystal 60
8 oz biscuit
1 family size box Cinnamon Toast Crunch

1 oz Sterling @60
.5 oz Saaz @15

8 oz lactose @15

Mash at ~155 for 60 minutes
US-05 @ 68* for two weeks

I'm sure you can use 3 lbs of whatever flaked grain you have on hand. I used a variety because I had it and wanted to use some up.

I wanted drinking this to be reminiscent of drinking the last bit of milk in the bowl. I think the nitro totally hit that. I think it would be really good on CO2 too, but I would reduce the lactose to 4-6 oz if I were to do that.

I'm also considering increasing the amount of 'seasoning' in it. I know they sell the "Cinnadust", but I would just add a tsp of cinnamon/nutmeg blend if I felt the need.

Enjoy!

 

[VikeMan]

Thanks, have been thinking about picking golden promise up. Although I was unaware it was irradiated.

If you're thinking irradiation is a genetic modification method, I'm pretty darn sure you're mistaken.

Golden Promise was originally developed by altering genes via irradiation with gamma. But I suspect the original photons are much less energetic by now.

 

[BrewMan13]

I always keep 2-row and some kind of Munich around in bulk. Local brewery where our brewclub meets is nice enough to let us get in on bulk grain orders. I buy specialty malts a few batches at a time from my LHBS. Always mill them myself a day ahead of brewday.

 

[JAReeves]

Golden Promise was originally developed by altering genes via irradiation with gamma. But I suspect the original photons are much less energetic by now.

So, don't make Golden Promise malt angry?

 

[Closet Fermenter]

So, don't make Golden Promise malt angry?

 

[BrewZer]

BrewZer Buys a Big Bag o' Breiss Base 2-row and then specialty grains by the pound.

 

[sibelman]

altering genes via irradiation

Thank you for the correction, @VikeMan . I did not know that was a GM technique.

 

[odie]

Once you start buying bulk, the next thing you know you have 500 pounds of base malt and twenty-some different kinds of specialty. The car has permanently been moved out of the garage, and you have to turn sideways to walk through the garage to the driveway.

Well, this is where I've been for several years...spare bedroom is now a grainery. But I rarely buy grain as I have a hoard of it.

 

[mashdar]

Does anyone add dessicants and O2 absorbers to their 10-year grain hoard? I briefly looked at prepper food storage methods, but resolved to only buy what I can use in a year (for now).

 

[Agent]

I have taken to vacuum sealing my specialties that may be around for a year.

Base malts just go in a big Rubbermaid since they don't get a chance to age around here.

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

I don't mind at all. This is the first iteration of the recipe, so by all means feels free to tweak it as you see fit. Do share back if you do though.

Since grocery-store purchases don't really count on the beer-making expenditures (hush!), I'm intrigued. I do like the taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and could see it going nicely in a malty, golden ale, maybe even a stout. How many gravity points did the cereal add? Any idea?

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Since grocery-store purchases don't really count on the beer-making expenditures (hush!), I'm intrigued. I do like the taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and could see it going nicely in a malty, golden ale, maybe even a stout. How many gravity points did the cereal add? Any idea?

I honestly have no idea how many points it added. I recall the OG being somewhere in the high 1.06xx. A lot of that is no doubt in part to the lactose.

If it helps, normally when I have a beer (4.7% - 5.2%) after work, I'm all like 'ah. this feels nice'. After having a Cinnamon Toast Hazy, I was all like 'whoo, this feels niiiice'. So, think there was a bit more alcohol in there than normal.

You've heard of the brix, the specific gravity, and the potential alcohol. Now I just hit you with the elusive fourth scale -- the Floppymeter. Highly scientific and infallible.

 

[moreb33rplz]

I used to buy grains per recipes - two or three at a time, all pre-milled.

Buying a mill was a game-changer. At first it was just to keep the recipes as fresh as they can be. Still buying two or three recipes at a time, milling them on brew day.

All that quickly changed to a supply of 2 - 5 lbs of popular specialty grains and 50 lb bags of 2-row, pilsen, & vienna or MO or pale.

I love being able to decide what to brew as late as while strike water is heating.

View attachment 834263

I'm thinking of buying some containers like that for my specialty grains too. How much grain fits in those? I'm looking at some 4 liter containers so I figure I can get about 5 ish lbs of grain in each?

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I'm thinking of buying some containers like that for my specialty grains too. How much grain fits in those? I'm looking at some 4 liter containers so I figure I can get about 5 ish lbs of grain in each?

I'm not sure from memory, but if I had to guess, the top shelf containers do hold 5 lbs of grain. The other containers range from a pound up to about 4 pounds. I look at them later if you want to know exacts.

I put my label maker to use and labeled the bottoms with the tare weight and how much grain they can hold. Makes it easier to top up when running low.

Here are the links to what I have, if interested Small containers - Large containers

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I'm not sure from memory, but if I had to guess, the top shelf containers do hold 5 lbs of grain. The other containers range from a pound up to about 4 pounds. I look at them later if you want to know exacts.

I put my label maker to use and labeled the bottoms with the tare weight and how much grain they can hold. Makes it easier to top up when running low.

Here are the links to what I have, if interested Small containers - Large containers

Those are very nice containers! I'm going to get some for my smaller amounts of grain.

Thanks for posting the link!

The Gamma seal buckets are nice but you can't see inside as fast.

 

[moreb33rplz]

Yeah I've been using gamma seal buckets for base malt for years, works fine. I've just been having my specialty grains flop around on my shelf in plastic bags but my OCD can't take it anymore - need hard sided containers.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Yeah I've been using gamma seal buckets for base malt for years, works fine. I've just been having my specialty grains flop around on my shelf in plastic bags but my OCD can't take it anymore - need hard sided containers.

That's about where I'm at too. I keep smalls in little bags in a couple Gamma sealed buckets but I'm always fishing around inside to see what I have for leftovers. Some of those clear plastic containers would be a lot easier to keep track of everything.