Best grains to buy

[4KingAle]

taking notes

 

[spog]

Im thinking of stopping ordering grain for each recipe and getting some supply. What grains do people think i should have on hand? what are the most versatile?
Obviously some kind of pale base malt? like a pilsner?... and then?.......
suggestions appreciated.

g

When I got into A G I started with buying small amounts of this,that,and the other,but living 600 + km from the the nearest brewing grain seller didn't work.
Eventually I bought in bulk,25 kg bags,I started with 2 bags of TF ale malt and 1 of wheat + bulk hops.
I experimented with different amounts and combinations and was very happy with the results .
Having only 1 type of ale malt I was limited with style,so to save money I snaffled an unwanted electric wall oven,built an enclosure for it and started home roasting my own " specialty malts" in my shed.
My home roasted malts while not the same as the professional products made a world of difference to the beers from then on.
As for storing 25 kg bags or grain I use small 25 litre wheelie bins from the cheap shop @ $10/$15.00 dollars each you can't go wrong,with wheels on them they are easy to move out of the way and the grain in the bag fits perfectly.
So,grab some cheapo wheelie bins,buy ale malt in 25 kg bags ,home roast your own special malts and your set like jelly,and you save.
For home roasting have a look at. Barley Pop Maker.com
Cheers....spog....

 

[DU99]

:icon_offtopic: Briess 2 Row has very high DiastaticPower,Smoother, less grainy flavor,
read this article

My base malt is currentlyTF maris otter,plus 11kg tubs of caramunich.1 /wheat.with small lots of specialty malts.in screw top plastic containers got from kmart..also keep an eye for Grain Bulk Buys

 

[poggor]

just getting back to the container issue for base malts- what does everyone think is the best container for a 25kg bag of grain. and where can i get them? photos would be great!
Also, who buys their grain where?

g

 

[Pogierob]

What state are you in mate?
Might make it easier for locals to give advice on where to get bulk grain.

 

[poggor]

Melbourne here!

 

[Pogierob]

Ok well then.

Here is a quick list of suppliers I have bought 25kg bags of grain from.

Full Pint - Heidelburg West http://www.fullpint.com.au/
(they occasionally run bulk buys on their website)

Grain and grape - Yarraville - http://www.grainandgrape.com.au/
Prices vary depending on quantity, but you get bulk buy (or close to) prices when ordering over 20kg of a certain malt

Core Brewing concepts - Dandenong South http://www.corebrewingconcepts.com.au/

They run a monthly bulk buy deal but it is targeting clubs or groups (10 bag minimum) but I think you can put your name down for less, it's just not guaranteed unless the quota is met by other brewers in that month.

There is also occasionally bulk buys posted on here.

I'm sure there is a heap of others but these are the people I have used in the last two years.

 

[wereprawn]

When I got into A G I started with buying small amounts of this,that,and the other,but living 600 + km from the the nearest brewing grain seller didn't work.
Eventually I bought in bulk,25 kg bags,I started with 2 bags of TF ale malt and 1 of wheat + bulk hops.
I experimented with different amounts and combinations and was very happy with the results .
Having only 1 type of ale malt I was limited with style,so to save money I snaffled an unwanted electric wall oven,built an enclosure for it and started home roasting my own " specialty malts" in my shed.
My home roasted malts while not the same as the professional products made a world of difference to the beers from then on.
As for storing 25 kg bags or grain I use small 25 litre wheelie bins from the cheap shop @ $10/$15.00 dollars each you can't go wrong,with wheels on them they are easy to move out of the way and the grain in the bag fits perfectly.
So,grab some cheapo wheelie bins,buy ale malt in 25 kg bags ,home roast your own special malts and your set like jelly,and you save.
For home roasting have a look at. Barley Pop Maker.com
Cheers....spog....

Hey spog,
I have looked into sacks of grain. Nearest i can find is 400 odd km away (Townsville) but they are expensive. I get my grain from National HB down in Hervey Bay (800 odd km). For large quantities P&H is the killer. How do you get around that so that it actually is cheaper.

Cheers

 

[spog]

Hey spog,
I have looked into sacks of grain. Nearest i can find is 400 odd km away (Townsville) but they are expensive. I get my grain from National HB down in Hervey Bay (800 odd km). For large quantities P&H is the killer. How do you get around that so that it actually is cheaper.

Cheers

P&H is definitely a killer,I drive to Adelaide about twice a year,when I do I usually buy 4 or 5 x 25 kg bags , that would keep me going for a while.if I ran out of grain of was running low I would do partials or full kits to keep the stocks up.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

Cararaoma is a bit of a must have if you anything slightly dark.


Word of warning...if you chew on it to see what it tastes like, then be prepared to have a big bag full of it :icon_drool2:

 

[Spacecapsule]

Iuc

 

[_Mick_]

For storage, I use my old Army trunks, air/moisture tight seal and I can fit 3 full sacks per trunk. Obviously not everyone will have these lying around but you can buy similar commercially available ones at bunnings, BCF or somewhere similar. They can be a bit pricy but they work a treat.
Will throw up a photo when I get off my arse and take one.

 

[stm]

just getting back to the container issue for base malts- what does everyone think is the best container for a 25kg bag of grain. and where can i get them? photos would be great!

2 x 20L handy pails from major hardware chain. Get some extra lids while you are at it.

 

[mofox1]

Cararaoma is a bit of a must have if you anything slightly dark.


Word of warning...if you chew on it to see what it tastes like, then be prepared to have a big bag full of it :icon_drool2:

My kid loves caraaroma....