What grains do you think these are?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by GetMeAnIPA, Jun 4, 2019.

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  1. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    I get my grains milled at my LHBS and they seal them up for me. I then put the grains in the top cupboard in my kitchen. I recently found these grains and don’t know what brew they should have been used in. I have to stand on a chair to see all the way inside. I usually just grab the grains without a chair so these grains could have been in there since I brewed an Oktoberfest, yes I didn’t brew at the traditional time, a few months ago or could be much longer. The last time I bought some specialty grains that look like this was when I brewed my Oktoberfest. My friend thought my Oktoberfest was lighter and less sweet than usual, which is what I was going for. Based on how the beer turned out in taste, color, abv etc it seemed like I used all the grains I planned on.

    What’s your best guess? Did I forget to add some Munich or crystal to my Oktoberfest? To me they definitely look like crystal or munch.

     
    #1 GetMeAnIPA, Jun 4, 2019
  2. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    [​IMG]

    Trying a new hosting website.
     
    #2 GetMeAnIPA, Jun 4, 2019
  3. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    couple things...a) those are milled? it looks like only about 20% of the grains are actually cracked...b) those are looking pretty mealy, meaning more base-grain like. So going with something like a Vienna or Munich
     
    #3 telejunkie, Jun 4, 2019
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  4. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Thanks! I have noticed that when I get my grains from this particular LHBS my efficiency drops. I usually ask them to double mill it in hopes for a dinner crush.

    Munch would make sense based on the amount.
     
    #4 GetMeAnIPA, Jun 4, 2019
  5. riptorn

    riptorn Pooh-Bah (1,776) Apr 26, 2018 Georgia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    What if you want a breakfast stout? :stuck_out_tongue:
     
    #5 riptorn, Jun 4, 2019
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  6. NeroFiddled

    NeroFiddled Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,276) Jul 8, 2002 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    A simple taste test should do it, no?
     
    #6 NeroFiddled, Jun 4, 2019
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  7. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    As far as taste testing, below is something I posted in a private conversation which may be helpful here:

    "I am brewing a batch of Tmavý Ležák (Czech Dark Lager) right now and I am using Weyermann Pilsner, Weyermann Vienna, Weyermann Munich Light and Weyermann Munich Dark as part of the grain bill.

    I took a few grains and each of these malts to see whether I could distinguish one from the other via physical appearance (see photo below). I personally could not readily distinguish one from the other simply by looking at them.

    [​IMG]

    My next step was to chew on a few of each of these grains to see if they are distinguishable in that manner. Below are my impressions:

    · Pilsner: easy to chew; has a flavor that I associate with Continental Pilsner Malt.

    · Vienna: rather crunchy; has a toasty flavor.

    · Munich Light (I): medium crunchy; a very pleasant flavor!

    · Munich Dark (II): very crunchy; has a roasty flavor.

    So, by chewing on these grains I could readily distinguish one from the other. FWIW the Munich Light (I) had the most enjoyable flavor via the ‘chew method’.

    Cheers!
     
    #7 JackHorzempa, Jun 4, 2019
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  8. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Lol, well played. Damn, iPhone auto correct.
     
    #8 GetMeAnIPA, Jun 4, 2019
  9. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    @JackHorzempa @NeroFiddled

    I thought of tasting them but the one time I ate crushed grains they were terrible, so I thought it wouldn’t give me an idea of what they are. Especially since I am not well versed with Munich or Vienna.

    If they weren’t crushed i might be able to better guess.
     
    #9 GetMeAnIPA, Jun 4, 2019
  10. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    And I was not well versed either when I did the above 'experiment'. As I detailed I found the Light Munich to have a pleasant flavor:

    "Munich Light (I): medium crunchy; a very pleasant flavor!"

    I have zero idea about the crushed vs. non-crushed aspect of tasting grains. Dave (@telejunkie) do you have experience here?

    Cheers!
     
    #10 JackHorzempa, Jun 4, 2019
  11. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    :thinking_face: I always taste non-crushed...just cause I would think you would get a more even profile of the grain (as opposed to what could be some stratification of the grain parts...). That could be :poop: though....:beers:
     
    #11 telejunkie, Jun 4, 2019
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  12. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    @telejunkie @JackHorzempa

    I’ve tasted the non crushed when trying new grains and seeing the difference between something like golden promise and 2 row. A friend was over and I said try these milled grains they are so good. Wrong! They were not so good.

    Thanks gents! Cheers.
     
    #12 GetMeAnIPA, Jun 4, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2019
  13. telejunkie

    telejunkie Savant (1,107) Sep 14, 2007 Vermont

    get a bag of Simpsons DRC (double roasted crystal)...i'll sometimes snack on them during brewday.
     
    #13 telejunkie, Jun 5, 2019
  14. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Hmm, almost as good as pork rinds!?!:confused:

    Cheers!
     
    #14 JackHorzempa, Jun 5, 2019
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