Pilsner Malt + Specialty Malts as substitutions for Maris Otter and Vienna?

[CascadesBrewer]

Good pils malt has it's own unique flavour - you can add other malts but the pils flavour will still be there. You'd get a better approximation using cheap pale malt (2 row) + specialty malts (or other base malts). Or just use the correct tool for the job in the first place!

While I like the theory of this thread, that is what I was thinking. I have been moving toward keeping 3 base grains on hand (European Pils, American Pale, European Pale Ale). I like the idea of just having 2 base malts (or just 1?).

I have not used a lot of Pils in the past, but the Weyermann Bohemian Pils I have on hand now has a significant amount of flavors that I would not expect in a Pale Ale Malt. Briess Brewer's malt also has a straw character that I would not expect in a Pale Ale Malt. I doubt it would get covered up with a touch of specialty malt. Maybe you could find a very bland malt, but I am not sure what...an extra pale malt or a bland pilsner?.

 

[mbobeira]

Lots of comments and no ideas as substitutions for Maris Otter with Pilsner Malt + Specialty Malts....

 

[Big Monk]

Lots of comments and no ideas as substitutions for Maris Otter with Pilsner Malt + Specialty Malts....

You want Maris Otter? Buy Maris Otter. There are so many other things in brewing to worry about, that I wouldn’t be quick to try and mix 2 or more malts to clone the color or flavor of one malt. Especially when I can just buy that one malt!

I’m more for mixing base malts to establish an over that combines the best of those malts. Pils and Vienna, Pils and Pale Ale, Pils and Munich, etc.

 

[Squelch]

Brulsophy coming out soon testing the Vienna = or ≠ pils/munich blend. be on the lookout.