In a thread from July (https://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/index.php?topic=32061.0 ) narcout posted that MoreBeer was selling all 38 varieties of Viking malt. After reading the article on LOX-less malts in the new edition of BYO magazine (LOX-less Malts: Their impact on staling and head retention - Brew Your Own ) I decided to check into their availability. MoreBeer now lists only 36 varieties of Viking malt, and they do not have the Viking Pale Zero or Pilsner Zero. I went to the Viking web site, and they no longer list the Pale Zero as one of their products, although they do still list the Pilsner Zero. I wonder what is going on.
I think I brought up the Simpsons NUll LOX malts here and was shot down. Will read the article, it just showed up today.
I’m not trying to restart the debate on the usefulness of these malts. I am wondering why a major maltster would take a product off the market.
Because people weren’t buying it?
Or maybe something went wrong with it. There are a number of possibilities, and I was wondering if anyone had any information on which one is correct.
If it is still being produced by Viking (haven’t looked but I bet it is,) I’m inclined to buy the slow-mover hypothesis. These malts are probably of greatest interest to a very specific group of commercial operations, and an even more limited group of homebrewers. If it passes its best-by date in the warehouse (or just takes up valuable space there,) MB eats the cost. Bet you missed a fire sale on the stuff.
That would explain why MoreBeer isn’t selling it anymore, but not why it isn’t listed on the Viking web site anymore if they are still producing it. I wasn’t really looking to buy any, but after the magazine article I just wanted to look at the specs a little more.