Has anyone tried any of the malts from Riverbend? I came across them on craftmalting.com and figured I’d try them out. I haven’t brewed with them yet, but I did chew on each of them when I got them in. Everything seemed to have just a bit of extra depth of flavor compared to similar malts I’ve used from other maltsters. The ones I have are:
Southern Select - this is a 2-row that to my palate sits somewhere between Pale malt and Pale ale malt. I wouldn’t say that it tastes like Golden Promise, but it seems like it would occupy the same space in my toolbox. I will probably brew a bitter with this as the base malt in the near future.
Heritage - this is a 6-row that is kilned somewhere between a Vienna and Light Munich. The kernels taste phenomenal. I’m using some in an American Wheat, but I could see this paired with some corn to make a killer lager.
Appalachian Wheat - I could eat this one by the handful. It’s kilned a bit higher than wheat malt typically is, and it has boatloads of flavor; like taking a bite out of a well-made loaf of bread. This one is going in my American Wheat as well.
I’ll post more when I actually brew with them, but I have to admit that I’m pretty excited to try them out.
So glad you found that useful! The pod coming out Wed. has an interview with the director of the Craft Maltsters Guild and a LOT more info about craft malt.
Ashville Brewer’s Supply. I didn’t see any of the big online shops listed on the craft malting site, so I just picked a retailer that does online sales and gave it a shot. Their standard shipping rate was 12 bucks, so I ended up buying a couple of batches worth to spread out the extra shipping expense over a few brews. I was pretty impressed by how quick I got my shipment, although I do get the vibe that this is primarily a brick and mortar outfit that does online sales on top of in store sales.
Prices for grain were the same as Rahr, Avengard, etc. Shipping was a bit higher than I’m used to paying, but I will probably buy in larger quantities if these are as good as my first impressions lead me to believe.
I purchase base malt in 50 or 55lb bags. The per pound price at 50lbs is pretty high on the Riverbend Malt House malt. It is well over a dollar. My target price is ninety cents to a dollar per pound out of the door. I will pay a little more if I do not have to drive seventy miles, round-trip, to get it.
Yet you go out of your way to take extraordinary measures with yeast to assure good beer. Malt plays a much larger part, but you need to address the quality of all ingrefients.
I’ve been intrigued by that 6 row for a while. On one of the SN Mills River tours they said that they were doing some brews with it, and the flavor was excellent. It is a heritage 6-row IIRC, the flavor wasn’t bred out of it.
I love these new (to me) maltsters or malts - my LHBS will look for these in advance without my asking and let me know it is available when they receive it in stock. I will invariably accept a sack or at least a 10 lb order to try new malts. Presently trying out North Star Pils from Rahr. First batch is underway. Fermenting with Diamond and hoping for the best.
I am finishing up my Valley Malt and don’t see a way to buy more. They were doing a CSA like program , maybe it’s just not the right season, I am going to email them.
I just have not found a domestic malt that compares to British or continental malt. I am not saying that one does not exist. I am saying that I am not willing to pay a premium price for a domestic malt that is only slightly better than continental or British malt. I do not purchase the most expensive hops I can find either. Until a domestic craft maltster is willing to sponsor me or at least provide malt at the same price I can purchase imported malt, I will stick with the best imported malt I can find at a price I am willing to pay.
