Uncrushed Roasted Barley

[PieOPah]

My LHBS seems to order all of their grain exclusively from Youngs (he has talked about getting a new supplier).
I recently ordered a variety of different grains, but specifically I was after Roasted Barley. I was a little shocked to find that this was only supplied uncrushed. Everything else was crushed.

When I went in to pick up the order, the shop owner told me that Youngs had told him that Roasted Barley shouldn't be crushed when added to the mash.
I am fairly sure that this is a load of crap and this should most definitely not be mashed whole.

I will be taking a rolling pin to the grain when I am ready, but would there be any reason to mash it whole?

Thanks,

[jimp2003]

According to this list HERE you don't need to mash roasted barley so all you need to do is allow the water in the mash to get to the fermentables that are already in that grain. Logically it would be more efficient to crush the grain to allow the water access to as much material as possible. You can do this by ordering it crushed or by taking a rolling pin to it...

BTW who is your LHBS? I am often in the Reading area and didn't know there was one there..

[PieOPah]

The LHBS is fairly new.

Can't remember address, but The website is www.berkshirehomebrew.com/

Website isn't great and doesn't list any of his grain stock.

Will definitely be crushing my grain. Thanks for the link, will have a butchers in the morning.