Is this the same malt that is sometimes called Glen Eagles? Or is that a different Crisp M.O.?
"1.5 - 1.8 °L - Crisp Malt - Crisp No. 19 Maris Otter Malt (formerly Gleneagles Maris Otter) is an heirloom varietal that is World renowned for its deep, rich flavor. It is considered Heirloom because it is an old variety with a very low yield of 1.5-2 tons per acre. Modern varietals now produce up to 4 tons per acre. Why do farmers grow Maris Otter when new high-yield, disease resistant varietals are available? Because Craft Brewers around the World are willing to pay a premium for the complex, authentic pub flavor that Maris Otter provides."
“Please note this is the distinguished Glen Eagles version of Crisp Maris Otter. Crisp produces two types of the Maris Otter malt. A regular version malted in modern silos and this exclusive Glen Eagles version of their Maris Otter that is floor malted by hand in the traditional way. This malt is obviously great for all English style Ales but is perfectly suited for any beer where you want a rich, bready malt flavor.”
from MoreBeer
That No. 19 is great stuff
I have Googled this malt and perused dozens of forum threads (here & elsewhere) as well as the product specs from many dealers, and I find ambiguous / conflicting results on the kilning level / color.
I mean specifically the #19, fka GlenEagles.
The MoreBeer description suggests it is 1.80L or below, but several others say 3.5-3.8, with some users even mentioning that it is almost a Vienna malt level. The 2.5-3.3 EBC on some product spec sheets suggest that it is the lighter [1.5-1.8L]. But many users say no, this floor-malted #19 is the darker one at 3.5L, not to be confused with Crisp’s other, lighter M.O. I have seen MoreBeer mislabel the Lovibond of malts on their site several times before, often failing to convert from EBC to L, but this description above from Wayne1 seems to be consistent.
It doesn’t help that some online dealers list it at 3.6L, some list it at 3.8L, some list it at 2.5-3.3L (probably erroneous because that’s the EBC listing range), and some list it at 1.1-1.8L, which doesn’t quite match the EBC converted range of 1.5-1.8L. I have known some dealers who get sloppy with the labeling of malts when they repackage from the full 25kg bag, and at least twice I have clearly gotten the wrong product that didn’t match the label (one of whom I believe was trying to rip me off, because it happened twice. I don’t order from that store anymore.)
TL;DR: For those who have used this Crisp #19 MO malt before, and are absolutely sure you’ve used the #19 (fka Glen Eagles) and not the other lighter kilned MO by Crisp: **is this product 1.8L, or is it a darker 3.6L version? **
Just guessing here, but the numbers might change slightly from year to year depending on several factors. Usually when numbers get stated, they are qualified with the year of production, much like Hops. And then too, they might give a range because they can’t possibly target a color dead on to the 10th of a point.
The 1.1-1.8 though, I don’t know what’s going on there. That sounds more like white wheat than barley. ???
Why not just go to the source and get accurate info? No 19 Maris Otter Ale Malt | Crisp Malt | Heritage & Malting Knowhow
That is helpful. And that is exactly what I want to buy. If I were buying it directly from Crisp, I would trust I was getting that product.
Unfortunately, virtually none of suppliers/dealers from whom it is reasonable for me to order in 5lb or 10lb quantities, specify their range that even reasonably overlap with what Crisp specifies - and generally not even close enough to be excused as year-to-year variation.
For example, MoreBeer says it is 1.5L - 1.8L, but that is clearly not just batch variation from the 2.1-3.1 that Crisp specifies. HOWEVER, it corresponds quite well to the other Crisp ‘Extra Pale’ MO (i.e., not the #19). I don’t want the Extra Pale MO, I want the #19/Gleneagles.
If I pay the higher price for a premium malt, how do I know they’re not ripping me off by giving me the cheaper malt? That has happened to me once at MoreBeer (I chalked it up to a reasonable mistake - gave them the benefit of the doubt, as they have always tried to satisfy) and several times from another online supplier who clearly was trying to give me cheaper malts when I was paying $$ for a higher priced malt.
Is MoreBeer just using the wrong product for its specs because they are sloppy? Or is it selling their Extra Pale MO and passing it off as Gleneagles/#19?
And why do a dozen other mail order shops parrot the same range for #19 that suspiciously fits the Extra Pale?
And please don’t suggest that I just order directly from Crisp.
I’m sure the Extra Pale MO from Crisp is really nice too, and I probably won’t die from overpaying for it, and my beer won’t suck if I’m using the ‘wrong’ Crisp M.O.
I suppose I could take this up directly with the [MoreBeer/etc] customer service reps… I don’t want to be a ‘Karen’, but man the attention to detail out there is really pisspoor at times. I just want an accurately advertised product from a dealer I can trust is giving me what I thought I was buying.
(Ask me about the time I ordered Weyermann Dark Wheat malt, and I got pale wheat malt instead. Then argued with me when I complained, as though I can’t distinguish a <2.0L kiln from a 7.5L kiln. Srsly??)
ETA: Alright, I apologize for the rant. I guess I’m turning into a crotchety old man. Shakes arthritic fist at sky
Maybe the distributors just don’t know or are wrong. But Crisp produces the malt, not the distributors. If they’re selling #19, it will be the malt Crisp describes. You couldn’t order directly from Crisp even if you wanted to. Your problem is with the retailers, not Crisp.
I buy #19 from Morebeer in 55lb sacks that come from Crisp. Note the info on the label AND the QR code. Get the Crisp app and it will read the QR code and give you all information on that lot of malt. Color Extract yield protein moisture and more I also have emailed Crisp and got the spec sheet for a lot of #19’when the QR code glitched
Regarding getting different malt than what you paid for. If you feel the store you do business with is doing that then maybe look for a different store
If you are concerned that 55 lbs is a lot of malt and are worried about it going bad I would put that thought to rest. As long as you store it in a cool dry place an open bag will last for ~ 4 years without any negative effects. Know that from experience. With a 55lb sack of grain from crisp you know EXACTLY what you will get