Maris Otter vs 2-row

[Brewmie]

I posted this question in my introduction, but I don't see any activity on that.
so I'll repeat myself here.

I have brewed an ESB recipe (all-grain) I built twice now and so far it is the only beer I have drawn off the mash with the clarity of a finished beer. I'm loving that part, but moreso the fact that I hit all my numbers exactly again.

I've never been dead on with my other batches and the only real difference I can distinguish is the use of Maris Otter as my base malt vs 2-row.

Does Maris Otter offer that much more to stability and predictability over 2-row malt?

 

[prohl84]

From my experience no; I have gotten consistent results using both. That being said it depends a lot on the brand/ maltster but Maris Otter and 2 row are typically both well modified and should perform similarly in the mash. Did you get both grains from the same source? If the Maris Otter happened to be crushed more finely you would get higher numbers out of it than coarse crushed 2 row.

However if your recipe uses the same amount of 2 row or Maris Otter then you should get a few more gravity points from the Maris batch since it has a slightly higher potential.

 

[Brewmie]

I always get my grain from the same source. and I do believe the branding is the same. I'll have to verify that on my next trip there. Thx for the insight.

 

[Homercidal]

I think by source, he means maltster. Different maltsters might process their malts slightly differently, or use a different variant of the grain. For example there are European maltsters and there are American maltsters. They may offer the same malt (2-row, for example) but they very well could be a different tasting, different-in-other-ways, grain.

I personally haven't noticed malted barley being any different in that way, no matter what brand or type I've used. The flavors may be somewhat different, but unless I've added certain other things, they've all turned out clear after vorlaufing for about 1-2 quarts.