Fawcett versus Muntons

[Ray Mason]

Hi, I’ve just changed from Munton’s maris otter malt to Fawcett’s and, using exactly the same technique, my efficiency has dropped by about 15% on every brew I’ve done since. Before anyone suggests that I change back to Munton’s I have a source which saves me over 50% on a 25killo bag (£36 down to £16) so I will, obviously, be sticking with the Fawcett’s malt but I was surprised at the difference in extract. I know it would be easy just to increase the grain quantity to cover the lose, but some brews stretch the limit of my mash tun’s capacity; also I would like to understand why this difference has happened. I have noticed that the Fawcett’s appears to be of a finer crush, but I have no Munton’s left to compare. Any explanation, gents. Ray

[chris_reboot]

finer crush, different grade grains, different malting process, age of grain etc etc
take your pick
FWIW I've used both with no real noticeable difference.
what I will add is the local microbrewery that supplied me malt in the past has switched from fawcetts to muntons (although more expensive) as the quality is more consistent.
fawcetts are a floor malting company, whereas muntons are all computer controlled at the push of a button, so in theory a more consistent malt.

[pdc]

i think with over 200 years of experience of malting fawcetts will be very consistant.

I've had a 15% fluctuation is my efficiency using fawcetts. I put it down to technique and differing grists.

Also differing malsters will have different extract rates. You can ask for an analysis.

PDC

[Garth]

we have noticed quite differing extract rates at the brewery and I've noticed it when brewing in the garage as well.

You can ask for an analysis

yes you can, but we rarely believe those figures.....

[boingy]

Did you make sure you were digging deep into the bag to make sure you were getting a good mix of husks and flour. The husks tend to settle out at the top in transit and they aren't going to yield much sugar.

+1 to that. I've definitely noticed a difference between the top of a sack and the bottom.

[Ray Mason]

Thanks to all who replied,especially Chris-x1. Yes, you've guessed. I just took from the top of the sack without digging deep. My Munton's came by mail so perhaps it had a good shake up in transit whereas the Fawcetts i collected. You'd have thought i'd know better by now, wouldn't you? I shall move to the back of the class yet again.

[chris_reboot]

i think with over 200 years of experience of malting fawcetts will be very consistant.

that wasn't a criticism of fawcetts PDC (as I appreciate your co-op buys for me!)
it was the comments of the MB near me.
as I said, I cant see a difference (on my scale/setup)

like chris says, a good mixup when rooting through the sack is a good tip

[pdc]

i'm no advocate of fawcetts, but i find it hard to believe the quality would vary a great deal.

Ray you make it sound like you pick up the odd bag. Or are you part of a bulk buy?

I've collected a few bags and they get a good mix up coming down those stairs.

[steve_flack]

I know a very experienced brewer who claims something similar comparing Warminster against Muntons.

[chris_reboot]

the guys I spoke to were complaining about a bad batch with crappy efficiencies, which although refunded had lost them a brew day, and another week waiting for a new batch to arrive so they could carry on brewing. that said, it was the only batch in over a year of brewing several times a week, but time is money in business, so they opted for the consistency of the computer controlled process and favoured that.
I'm too low-level to notice, and my (in)efficiencies are mostly down to my poor processes! i.e. chuck it in, give it a stir, it'll turn something drinkable out!

[delboy]

Theres only one way to find out Fight!!!

[Garth]

I've collected a few bags and they get a good mix up coming down those stairs.

me too, I'm glad I was standing to the side when they landed....

[nobby]

I use Fawcett all the time bought from Leyland Home Brew and get an 85% brew house Efficency. Must have been an problem with your bag.

[Ray Mason]

My, hasn’t this caused a few comments . I bought my bag from a local brewery who, of course, buy in bulk. I rather think that Chris-x1 is correct and that it was all my fault for not drawing up the malt from the bottom of the bag. In case anyone thinks that this post was a criticism of Fawcett malt, it wasn’t, the flavour was great, (my address is available if Fawcetts wish to send me a complementary bag, ) it was only that I experienced something with the Fawcett malt that I hadn’t with the Muntons. To all those who contributed to this thread, thank you. Ray.

[Jerry Cornelius]

My normal supply is Fawcetts (4 off 25 kg sacks) and I suffered with stuck sparges. I bought a sack of Warminster (from a chap on here who is having a hiatus) and noticed an immediate change, no stuck sparges. The difference between the sacks was the crush, much more floury for the Fawcetts (which, I imagine, is down to the requirements of the brewery that I get my sack from) but since I've changed the size of the holes in my false bottom from 2mm to 3mm, my efficiency has matched that which I was getting from the Warminster. I too don't want to change supplier, because I get a good price for a sack and, I think, (hope) that i've cracked it, by changing the hole size which seems to suit the Fawcetts crush.