WTF? I was just ordering some grains from Midwest. Every grain they sell now has the words "Maillard Malts™" in front of the name. For example... Maillard Malts™ Weyermann® Light Munich Malt Anyone?
hah yup it sure does say that... somebody screwed up. take a screen shot of it and then when you get it tell them you thought you were getting Maillard but you received Wyermann maybe get some free shit
Yeah I noticed that too on my last order. I had a variety of maltsters, Briess, Crisp, Weyermann, but all had Malliard Malts on the bag. Plus some of the smaller amounts of grain I ordered appeared to come pre-crushed and fully packaged. Not to mention what a horrible crush. Just reminds me I need to get a grain mill, lol.
I was wondering if they have permission to repackage all malts and put their own name on it to sell to homebrewers. They are taking over the world. It's got me a little bit concerned. First, the POTUS homebrews in the White House and shortly thereafter, two homebrew supply giants merge and start rebranding everything. Starting to feel like a dystopian plot. Any good conspiracy theories out there?
Midwest has their grains under the Maillard Malts banner also. Due to the fact they they are owned by the same VC firm now, it looks like a consolidation to reduce costs.
Jeff, it is my guess that Maillard Malts is just a branding thing? I just received a shipment from Northern Brewer yesterday and while all of the plastic bags have the name Maillard Malts with big letters, they also note the malting company on some of the packages (e.g., Weyermann). Other packages are more nondescript (e.g., English Chocolate Malt) but the Northern Brewer catalog provides the details of Simpsons Chocolate Malt. Do you have any more insight on this change? Cheers!
“It would be the Midwest/NB repackaging brand.” As far as I am concerned Midwest/NB can rebrand all they want as long as they are selling the same malt as before. I suppose some Midwest/NB guy put on a ‘marketing hat’ and came up with the Maillard Malt idea!?! Cheers!
It was my experience in the pre-merger era that both NB and MW sometimes did not list the maltsters on some specialty malts, but they will tell you if you ask. It became my custom to make this request in the comment field that accompanied my on-line order. It would have been marketing genius if a cartoonish duck accompanied the brand. We have Duck brand duct tape; why not a mallard for Malliard Malt?
Personally, I don't care what the hell NB or Midwest does. I don't care if they become the friggin Wal-Mart of internet HB supply. I don't even care that I have to search in vain for anything that is not labeled Mallaird Malt. I don't know about their marketing and I'm not interested. F them. I have been going to the LHBS more and more lately. But if the powers that be take away my right to make beer there will be pitchforks in the city streets I'm telling you. I brew my own beer. Cheers.
In the part of my previous post that was less tongue and cheek, I indicated that in the past, both companies were willing to clarify ambiguities. I imagine they still will. I also feel like they are targets for a bit of ribbing with all this rebranding crap - malts, burners, kettles, and probably more show up as "new" products.
I noticed the new name for the their malts in the recently mailed copy of their catalog. I thought it was for their own brand of malts, re branded to be a "higher end".. That said, I've never ordered grain online, so I can't comment on their past and present doings.
