Has anyone ever used Optic Malt for an ESB? Thinking 85% of the grist with some crystal and torrified wheat and WLp 028 Edinburgh yeast
Not yet, but it’s been on my list to try. I’ve been wanting to try side-by-sides with Optic, Halcyon, MO, and GP. Your plan looks like a good one to me.
Don’t forget Pearl malt.
I’ve got a sack of Pearl coming through my club group buy. Looking forward to it. I wonder how much difference there really is between all of those malts though. It has to be pretty, miniscule, right?
I have an ESB fermenting with ~94% T.F. Optic, I did a grain taste comparison with Perle and much preferred the optic. Think I’ll take a reading this afternoon and get a taste sample. It was also my first time using First Gold hops so very curious how it turned out.
All have that British flavor, but some differences.
Pearl is the base malt in Heady Topper, FWTIW.
I don’t know. we’re talking about totally different varieties of barley. does a mcintosh taste like a granny smith except for miniscule differences? I mean they are both apples but they are not the same apple.
take it further, try a nice heirloom apple against a red (not all that)delicious and really experience a difference.
One day I was asking my LHBSer about different malts and he said to me, “just eat some and decide for yourself”. It’s not a definite indicator of finished flavor or yield but I find it very helpful for determining personal preference. Whenever I’m at the shop I munch a few grains either to try something new or compare a few against each other. I realize a lot of folks have supplies delivered but just saying, if you get the opportunity.
+1 to tasting.