Rate Powells Pale Malt Out Of Ten

[Pumpy]

I have read the other Posts on Powells malt .


I just want to get a general feel from those who have used Powells malt


How do you rate it out of ten ??????


Pumpy

 

[Stuster]

What no poll, Pumpy?

I'll give it an undecided. When I used it, I got much lower efficiency than I get with other malts, even with a much finer grind. That said, I wasn't really unhappy with the levels of maltiness in the beers I used it with and I'd certainly give it another go. At $35 or so a bag, why not give it a go and support a smaller player?

 

[Screwtop]

Difficult to rate Pump, because it responds differently. Was achieving low efficiency using Powells so started using other malts, some of which didn't give much greater results. Began to look at my system and procedures. Would say the most significant single procedure responsible for increasing efficiency of Powells malt for me was using the max amount of water possible. Found that sugars did not release easily from the mash and at the end of sparging, gravity was still high, often above 1.020. Often I mashed using a 90 min Sacc rest. An iodine test showed it was all over at 40+ min so stopped the 90 min rest, waste of time.

Increased boil time to 90 min and upped the burner flame to get max boil off (max amount of sparge water). Plugged the figures into my equipment in beersmith and the additional water increased efficiency. Didn't need much additional water, and if you think about it, too much water would have had a negative or zero gain result.

Another procedure which has resulted in an increase in efficiency from Powells malt is using a temp step from Sacc rest to Mash Out instead of an Infusion Step.

The last 5 brews have been a mix of Powells and Cryer Galaxy or Bairds GP. all have resulted in 80%+ into the kettle. Used to consistently achieve 66% from all Powells malt batches but today a 50/50 Powells/Cryer gave me 86% into the kettle.

Remains to be seen if this is enzyme related (from the other malts in the grist) or procedural. Need to do a full Powells batch to test this!

Hope this info is usefull!

 

[Batz]

Why not try some and see,it's big mobs cheaper than anything else,that in one is a big advantage to me.

Batz

 

[Pumpy]

Thanks Stu & Screw ,

Thanks for you opinions In simple terms whilst not giving it a Pat on the back you dont seem to be kicking it up the backside either .

Stu this is becoming your standard answer to my posts "Where is the Poll" I stuffed the last couple up so give them a miss these days :huh: ,


Pumpy

 

[Pumpy]

So Batz how do you rate it out of ten before I give it a go ?


Pumpy

 

[Batz]

So Batz how do you rate it out of ten before I give it a go ?


Pumpy

For an all out malt 7
For value 9

Batz

Pumpy want to try some? I'll send you a couple of Kg's for an Ale

Batz

 

[TidalPete]

I have been doing AG for the last 18 months or so & in that time have only used Powells as a base malt.
Was only getting 56 -59% efficiency until AndrewQld recommended a protein rest a the start of the mash. Since then my efficiency has ranged from 72% to 79% with one whopper of 85% a few months ago.
Can't really comment on the difference between Powells & other base malts as I am waiting to finish the Powells off (One brew to go) before starting on my other stuff. Must get a sack of Golden Promise ASAP as I have heard a lot of good things about it.
Having said that, I would probably rate the Powells at 7.5-8 out of 10. As Batz says, the cheapness of Powells Malts counts for a lot.

What a shame Craftbrewer does not stock it.

:beer:

 

[Stuster]

Sorry, Pumpy, just have a bit of fun.

I've stuffed up a few polls myself so I know what you mean.

You've summed it up right for me. Worth a try.

 

[Linz]

I have been doing AG for the last 18 months or so & in that time have only used Powells as a base malt.
Was only getting 56 -59% efficiency until AndrewQld recommended a protein rest a the start of the mash. Since then my efficiency has ranged from 72% to 79% with one whopper of 85% a few months ago.
Can't really comment on the difference between Powells & other base malts as I am waiting to finish the Powells off (One brew to go) before starting on my other stuff. Must get a sack of Golden Promise ASAP as I have heard a lot of good things about it.
Having said that, I would probably rate the Powells at 7.5-8 out of 10. As Batz says, the cheapness of Powells Malts counts for a lot.

What a shame Craftbrewer does not stock it.

:beer:

Pete,

How long is the protien rest you're using...15-30-45 mins??

This seems to suggest that it is an undermodified malt

 

[Ross]

What a shame Craftbrewer does not stock it.

Pete,

Powells would be no cheaper than Barret Burston for me to stock - & IMO opinion it's overall quality is not a patch on BB. The Ale malt makes a good beer but I've seen some serious quality issues with the pilsner & munich. When you add on the poor efficiency, I can see no reason to stock it over BB. From what I've been informed, Powells are basically an animal feed producer who's trying their hand at brewing malt. Until they improve their product, there is no incentive for me to stock it - Can you imagine the feedback if someone found mouldy grains in a pack I sent out!!! That said, I wish them every success, as competition is good for the consumer.

cheers Ross

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

So have done 2 brews with the BB galaxy and found it to be great, possibly even better than JWM by a few %. And the price is good.. :chug:

Have yet to try Powells....


sorry to get of track Pumpy... B)

 

[TidalPete]

I have been doing AG for the last 18 months or so & in that time have only used Powells as a base malt.
Was only getting 56 -59% efficiency until AndrewQld recommended a protein rest a the start of the mash. Since then my efficiency has ranged from 72% to 79% with one whopper of 85% a few months ago.
Can't really comment on the difference between Powells & other base malts as I am waiting to finish the Powells off (One brew to go) before starting on my other stuff. Must get a sack of Golden Promise ASAP as I have heard a lot of good things about it.
Having said that, I would probably rate the Powells at 7.5-8 out of 10. As Batz says, the cheapness of Powells Malts counts for a lot.

What a shame Craftbrewer does not stock it.

:beer:

Pete,

How long is the protien rest you're using...15-30-45 mins??

This seems to suggest that it is an undermodified malt

Hey Linz,

From the research I have done on Powells on this forum & from the comments of others it seems that Powells is not a fully modified malt. nevertheless, I am a big fan of Powells.
Protein Rest for me means 30 minutes at 50 deg c.

:beer:

 

[Batz]

Here Chook chook cook

 

[TidalPete]

What a shame Craftbrewer does not stock it.

Pete,

Powells would be no cheaper than Barret Burston for me to stock - & IMO opinion it's overall quality is not a patch on BB. The Ale malt makes a good beer but I've seen some serious quality issues with the pilsner & munich. When you add on the poor efficiency, I can see no reason to stock it over BB. From what I've been informed, Powells are basically an animal feed producer who's trying their hand at brewing malt. Until they improve their product, there is no incentive for me to stock it - Can you imagine the feedback if someone found mouldy grains in a pack I sent out!!! That said, I wish them every success, as competition is good for the consumer.

cheers Ross

Hey Ross,

Many thanks for your comments.
From your post above I can well understand your reasons for not stocking Powells. However, I (and others) were very happy to get Powells freighted up to the Sunshine Coast at around $32 (Ale) a bag in a bulk buy. This, of course was before Craftbrewer started selling grain & things have now changed for us all.
I do not think that Powells have any mouldy grain problems now that their paper sacks have been replaced with the same type sack as used by other malsters.
I am another one who can't wait for the Powells Mark II malts.

:beer:

 

[Jazzafish]

Flavour wise I find Powells very good value for money. You may need to use more grain to compared with other suppliers... but we are talking a minimal $ for the result. I won a comp with a porter using powels ale as a base.

I have also found a protien rest helps the efficency, but we are talking about a 10% change here compared to a single step 66*C @ an hour... that is a single infusion gets me an efficency 10% less that Joe White, or 15% less than Marris Otter..... 500g out of a 5Kg batch... not an issue to me.

Final verdict is 7.5 out of 10 for me... Joe White will be an 8 out of 10 IMHO. But my favourite so far is marris otter.

 

[Screwtop]

What a shame Craftbrewer does not stock it.

Pete,

Powells would be no cheaper than Barret Burston for me to stock - & IMO opinion it's overall quality is not a patch on BB. The Ale malt makes a good beer but I've seen some serious quality issues with the pilsner & munich. When you add on the poor efficiency, I can see no reason to stock it over BB. From what I've been informed, Powells are basically an animal feed producer who's trying their hand at brewing malt. Until they improve their product, there is no incentive for me to stock it - Can you imagine the feedback if someone found mouldy grains in a pack I sent out!!! That said, I wish them every success, as competition is good for the consumer.

cheers Ross

Sorry Ross, but I find your comments a bit harsh, have you trialled their malt. Malting isn't rocket science, Powells use the traditional floor malting process the same as some of your more noted suppliers, who also manufacture stockfeed. There's the odd bit of stalk and grain dust etc. but mouldy malt would be the result of suss storage or transport I would think. If you can't stock it cheaper then that's a fair call. I can't imagine you packaging and sending out mouldy grains in a pack. If you found mouldy grains I know you would straighten it out with the cheque book, which is the best method of feedback I know! Competition is good for the consumer so long as retailers play their part, not stocking their malt is hardly contributing to competion or healthy consumerism.

As far as Pete's comments are concerned, our findings differ on using a Protien Rest with Powells Malts, something we have discussed at length. I tried including a protien rest of 30 min at 50c - 54c on 4 ocassions without ever registering an increase in efficiency. I did however notice a slight increase when fly sparging, which seems to be the case with most malts.

It was your advice Ross, using additional sparge water (due to longer and harder boil) that led to the increased efficiency I obtained using Powells Malts.

 

[Ross]

Powells freighted up to the Sunshine Coast at around $32 (Ale) a bag in a bulk buy. This, of course was before Craftbrewer started selling grain & things have now changed for us all.

Pete,

Powells do not have to charge GST, unfortunately I do, therefore my price is nearly $36 before a profit (no cheaper for me to buy a pallet as you). I already sell BB base malts at $40 a sack, so as you can see, there's little incentive to stock it, even without the quality issues...

Cheers Ross...

 

[TidalPete]

Powells freighted up to the Sunshine Coast at around $32 (Ale) a bag in a bulk buy. This, of course was before Craftbrewer started selling grain & things have now changed for us all.

Pete,

Powells do not have to charge GST, unfortunately I do, therefore my price is nearly $36 before a profit (no cheaper for me to buy a pallet as you). I already sell BB base malts at $40 a sack, so as you can see, there's little incentive to stock it, even without the quality issues...

Cheers Ross...

Ross,

Only one brew to go mate, before I crack that Galaxy I got off you. Can't wait.

:beer:

 

[Ross]

Sorry Ross, but I find your comments a bit harsh, have you trialled their malt. increased efficiency I obtained using Powells Malts.

Hi Screwtop,

I wasn't meaning to be harsh, as I said, I wish Powells every success - they are a potential supplier, not opposition, so I have no hidden agendas with my comments. In answer to your comments & repeating myself a little - I have used their wheat malt which I found to have a pretty high % (by comparison) of stalks etc. The ale malt I've drunk many times & as I said, I liked the result very much. The Pils malt that a friend has (& no longer wants) produced a black scum across the surface during the boil from what appeared to be dirt & from discussions on this forum there's definately been a problem with mould in their Munich (hopefully this is now just history). Coupled with the lower efficiency (recorded by many respected brewers) & the fact that it is indeed more pricey than their oppositions malt, there really is no incentive to stock it. When/if they price the product competetively I'll certainly be looking at it...

Cheers Ross