What Grains do you keep on hand all the time

[ESBrewer]

I only keep grain for next two batches or so. This is because I don't brew so much and I prefer fresh ingredients. The selection of specialty malts could last a bit longer. I keep some Crisp Best Ale malt that I find reliable and cost-effective British style base malt + Simpsons crystal malts + small amounts of chocolate malt & roasted barley. I also have Weyermann wheat malt for head retention and wheat beers.

 

[bracconiere]

i just buy bags of whole barley....50lb sack gets me 40lb's of malt for 12.99, that's enough to brew 20 gallons, right now i have some roast barley and black patent. because trying to make it myself smokes the house up...

 

[bracconiere]

I think the answer is what grains you use to brew the styles you like; those are what you should keep on hand.

forgot to +1 this statement, and i don't know how to insert a quote in a edit...

 

[CascadesBrewer]

I used to have a shelf full of crystal malt and other specialty grains but found many of them sitting and getting old before I ever had a reason to use them up. So I stopped that practice and now the only grain I buy in bulk are the base malts that I use all the time. I buy a sack of Briess Brewers Malt because it is inexpensive and maybe one sack of Maris Otter or Golden Promise.

I feel like I might be shifting back to this strategy. Only this year have I tried stocking grains other than having a sack of American Pale Malt around with random leftovers of specialty grain. I like the theory of having a set of "core" grains on hand to be able to brew my "core" recipes...but I am finding that, while I don't feel that I brew a huge style of beers (mostly Pale Ales, IPAs, Porter, Stouts, getting into Belgians), it has quickly grown to the point where I think I need 20-30 specialty grains in stock!

I am trying to diversify my base malt usage, so right now I have 5 storage buckets and recently picked up a bag of Crisp Maris Otter and a bag of Weyermann Bohemian Pilsner.

 

[Cato1507]

I'm considering getting my own mill and a few buckets to store grains in the basement (would this attract mice?)...versus driving 20min to my LHBS to buy grains per batch and use their crusher.

But for someone that prefers IPA's, Hefe's, Marzen/Ofest's - what should I keep on hand in bulk.

I am currently only doing 5g batches - BIAB.

I don't have tons of storage, so I buy 5-10 lbs each of base malts, Maris, Briess 2 row, Pilsner, and vacuum seal them and store in a large plastic totem. Specialty grains I buy in 2-3lbs and vacuum seal as well.

I brew BIAB 3-4.5 gal batches and my supplier ships for free and I get a 10% discount by being a AHA member. Might not be the most cost efficient, but I only brew once sometimes twice a month, so it's a good fit.

 

[AzOr]

+1000 on the virtual grain bag. I only keep about 20lbs if pilz/2 row on hand plus a pound or three of the following;

Flaked corn
Vienna
C-40
Biscuit malt- (like Franks hot sauce- I put that sh** on everything)

These grains will just about cover most of the beers I brew.

Every so often I’ll brew a COTR (clean out the refrigerator) beer.

 

[RainyDayBrewer]

i just buy bags of whole barley....50lb sack gets me 40lb's of malt for 12.99, that's enough to brew 20 gallons, right now i have some roast barley and black patent. because trying to make it myself smokes the house up...

What brand/ where do you get food grade barley for sprouting/malting?

 

[bracconiere]

What brand/ where do you get food grade barley for sprouting/malting?

i don't, i use whole barley from the feed store....sprouts fine, tastes fine. that's what i drink.

 

[CharlieW]

I keep on hand #50 Maris otter, #50 GWM 2 Row,#50 Viking pale 2 Row. Various crystal, chocolate and malted wheats. I store the base malts in #50 Vittle Vaults. Working fine so far.

 

[RainyDayBrewer]

i don't, i use whole barley from the feed store....sprouts fine, tastes fine. that's what i drink.

I could only find animal feed also, but got nervous about mold contamination after the “nothing can hurt you” thread. I know Alberta grain crops were destroyed by rain this season... perfect conditions for mold. Do you know where your feed is sourced?

 

[bracconiere]

Do you know where your feed is sourced?

this is the brand i get....out of new mexico.