Maris Otter. Crisp versus Thomas Fawcett.

[minesapint]

One of our well known suppliers has 25 kg sacks of Maris Otter at £30 for Thomas Fawcett and £23 for Crisp.
I have always used Thomas Fawcett and get consistent , good brews.
Thinking of going for the Crisp at £7 cheaper a sack.
Apart from the price, does anyone know if there is much of a difference in the result between the two?

Cheers folks and a happy Christmas to you all.

[Dennis King]

I've only used Crisp's pale malt that is even cheaper than their maris otter and it is the best malt I've ever used, including efficiently.

[seymour]

I don't know personally, but I asked a similar question recently here, there may be some info which can help you too:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=55560

[jmc]

I've moved from using MO to Crisp's pale malt. I believe variety is Flagon.
I can't tell any difference in flavour and I'm getting better mash efficiencies.

+ 1 to reading Seymour's link to this topic

[minesapint]

Many Thanks for the replies folks.
When my current sack of Maris Otter is finished I shall be ordering two different sacks of cheap and cheerful .
After a couple of brews I shall post an update as to how I got on.
Cheers all .

[6470zzy]

I don't know personally, but I asked a similar question recently here, there may be some info which can help you too:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=55560

Curious as to what malt you decided on buying and who the supplier was ?

Cheers

[minesapint]

Hello to 6470zzy

My usual supply involves a round trip of sixty miles and a 25kg sack of Thomas Fawcett, Maris Otter is £33.99p (English Pounds). So it is £33.99p plus petrol and time.
The shop that I am going to order from is "The Malt Miller". I found him at this web site in an article about malt and grain prices.
He appears to be well thought of on this site.
I think his UK carriage charges are very good, 5-30kg costs £7.50p, 30-60kg costs £9.60p.
He sells Thomas Fawcett , Maris Otter at £30.00p a sack plus postage.
I have been paying £33.99p plus a sixty mile round drive at my ususal supplier.
The ones that I am going to try from The Malt Miller are, Crisp Maris Otter at £23.00p a sack and Crisp Pale ale malt at £21.50p a sack.
Buying two sacks at the same time will be a great saving on carriage.

By opting for the Crisp Pale and Crisp Maris Otter plus delivery I will be spending £54.10p , delivered to the door.
Two sacks of Thomas Fawcett at my usual supplier would cost £67.98p plus the time and petrol .
Quite a saving in both cash and time, when I send in my order to "The Malt Miller".
The general thought is that I wont notice much difference with the Maris Otter. Besides bitter and mild I do brew a lot of pale ale so using the proper malt for the pale should be an improvement .

I hope this is of some interest to you.
Cheers all.

.

[ivanmalley]

I use malt miller for crisp Maris otter quite often and I am really pleased with the results.

Service is top drawer too can't recommend them highly enough.

[greenxpaddy]

I am now 100% Fawcetts malt, barring European brews. Only because if it ain't broke don't try and fix it. I get great results from the malt, which gives you confidence to vary yeast and hops knowing the rest is constant. You get what you pay for normally. Fawcetts have real history and knowledge to produce great tasting malt. I eat it. Tastes superb.

[minesapint]

Hello to greenxpaddy and thanks for the contribution.

Where are you buying your grain from and how does the cost compare with the two places that I have mentioned?
Cheers.

[far9410]

just been looking at various suppliers, noticed "optic" malt, wondered is this a possible replacement for MO or adjunct only?

[seymour]

just been looking at various suppliers, noticed "optic" malt, wondered is this a possible replacement for MO or adjunct only?

Optic is the name of another 2-row barley cultivar, akin to Maris Otter, Golden Promise, etc. It's an excellent all-around pale ale base malt, primarily grown in Scotland, and I think is commonly used for Scotch whisky too.

Schlafly, my local, recently brewed a barrel-aged Scottish Ale as well as a Single Malt And Single Hop (SMASH) series using Optic for all of them, only substituting the hop each time. I found it mostly light and neutral but with a subtle nutty and biscuity flavor I associate with English-style pale malts.

[far9410]

just been looking at various suppliers, noticed "optic" malt, wondered is this a possible replacement for MO or adjunct only?

Optic is the name of another 2-row barley cultivar, akin to Maris Otter, Golden Promise, etc. It's an excellent all-around pale ale base malt, primarily grown in Scotland, and I think is commonly used for Scotch whisky too.

Schlafly, my local, recently brewed a barrel-aged Scottish Ale as well as a Single Malt And Single Hop (SMASH) series using Optic for all of them, only substituting the hop each time. I found it mostly light and neutral but with a subtle nutty and biscuity flavor I associate with English-style pale malts.

Thanks seymour, its pretty cheap, might give it a try

[stevetk189]

I use The Malt Miller for pretty much everything now, his service is second to none and I've never had a single issue with quality. I can get 30kg here in less than 48 hours for under 15 euros. It takes at least five times that long and three to four times the price to get it locally... go figure. With regard to TF and Crisp, I interchange the two from time to time and have on occasion noticed a tad less efficiency with Crisp, nothing that can't be tweaked during the sparge or boil. Difference flavourwise, nothing I've picked up on but then I haven't tried a smash brew with them to compare.

[minesapint]

My sack of Fawcett Maris Otter finally ran out, and I am now the proud owner of two sacks of Crisp Maris Otter.
Got them from The Malt Miller.
Get your order in before 14:00 and between him and the carrier they will try to get your order to you the next working day. And they did ! Well done.
I cannot move at the moment for demi johns and fermenters around the house.
As soon as I have an empty fermenter handy I shall try and make a dent into my new stock of grain.
Thanks to all of you for your comments and setting my mind at rest.
Cheers All.