I have been using Great Western 2 row for the past 20 years. As homebrew shops around me keep closing, I want to support my guy but he has Rahr 2-row. Has anybody interchanged their 2 row malt and noticed a huge difference? Even a slight difference? OMG Change is scary!
They are all slightly different but not hugely so. I have done some SMASH blonde ale type beers with different brands of two-row to compare. You can taste slight flavor differences. When I use different two row in more complex recipes like IPA, APA, porters, I don’t notice much difference. Of course, YMMV.
Another potential difference is extract. Some yield more SG points for the same amount of grain.
Rahrb and Great Western are both very good. I wouldn’t have a problem interchanging them.
I’ve used Briess and Viking malts 2 row without any noticable differences (for example hitting estimated OG, etc).
Given the choice I usually opt for Great Western but wouldn’t hesitate to use Rahr as a suitable substitute.
I use GW now. I have used Rahr in the past. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Rahr again. It has to do with the LHB supplier. CMG carries GW and BSG carries Rahr
Rahr Malting owns BSG. Country Malt Group is owned by United Malt from Australia, which also owns Canada Malting and Great Western.
The only thing experienced with Rahr 2 Row is a lower mash pH, set your software to 3L for Rahr to account for that.
oh damn. now I need a pH meter. he he. Thanks everybody!