The Story of Maris Otter: One of "Sheer Bloody Mindedness"

[homemaltster]

As brewers, we know malt types, but rarely learn the barley variety they come from. However, most of you have used or at least heard of the variety Maris Otter. The story behind its fame is one I thought worth telling.

 

[Brewenstein]

Nice article. Thanks for sharing!

 

[mmiddleton]

That's really interesting! I've used Maris Otter a few times in a Mosaic SMaSH recipe, and I've always been very happy with the results. Made the same recipe with Vienna, wasn't as happy with it.

 

[homemaltster]

Thanks fellas! It's a great malt to use in a SMaSH to fully experience that rich malt character that everyone raves about.

mmiddleton, could you describe the difference you noticed between the Vienna and the MO?

 

[GPP33]

Great article. I love me some MO.

 

[jcav]

Good read! I use Maris often and I really like it.

John

 

[JimRausch]

I do an Irish Red each year around this time. In the past it's been with 2-row, but last year I used MO instead. Huge difference. This year I used MO again.

 

[C-Rider]

Interesting....I use Maris Otter as my base malt for any and all English style ales.

 

[schematix]

The only malt i actually enjoy chewing on is MO. Give me a bowl and some milk and that could be breakfast.

I've used it for years in stouts and a couple times as a fraction of the base malt in other darker beers. I finally have it on my brew schedule to do a smash (or nearly smash) with a restrained dose of cascade in a lager style. Should make for good summer drinking.

 

[worlddivides]

Nice article. I just brewed a stout with Maris Otter as its base malt. Became a fan of it when I used it in an English-style brown ale a little over a year ago.

 

[mmiddleton]

Thanks fellas! It's a great malt to use in a SMaSH to fully experience that rich malt character that everyone raves about.

mmiddleton, could you describe the difference you noticed between the Vienna and the MO?

I think it's just a general lack of maltiness, by comparison.