[Lazy Ant Brewing]

Difference between pale malt and two-row malt?

[a10t2]

"Pale" is a color. Either two-row or six-row could be kilned to a pale color.

If it's "pale ale malt", then that's generally a two-row that's kilned a little darker than your usual "pale two-row". 2-3L versus 1.5-2.

[erockrph]

Generally "Pale malt" and "2-row" are both used to describe pale North American 2-row malt, and are often used interchangeably. Technically you could have a Pale 6-row malt, but you will almost always hear that specified as 6-row. As Sean said "Pale Ale" malts are generally kilned a bit darker, in between a Pils/Pale malt and Vienna.

[Lazy Ant Brewing]

Thanks.

Thee for all practical purposes they could be used interchangeably.  The minor difference in color isn't significant.

[erockrph]

"Pale malt" and "2-row" are often used to describe the same thing, in those cases it would indeed be interchangeable because it is the same thing.

"Pale Malt" and "Pale Ale Malt" aren't necessarily interchangeable. You could probably sub one for another in a recipe and be in the same ballpark, but the base malt character will be different (possibly a lot different). Base malt is different than specialty malts in that even 1 degree Lovibond is enough to give a significant difference in flavor. Pils, Pale, Pale Ale and Vienna are all within a couple of degrees L of each other, but they all result in different beers if used as the base malt.

[a10t2]

If you mean pale malt and pale ale malt, I wouldn't consider them interchangeable. There'll be a noticeable difference in flavor, especially since either would probably be >80% of the grist.

[69franx]

As an example, my LHBS carries Briess 2 row and Briess 2 row brewer's pale malt. I have had the same question, what's the difference? And what to use when a recipe simply states "pale malt"


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[erockrph]

As an example, my LHBS carries Briess 2 row and Briess 2 row brewer's pale malt. I have had the same question, what's the difference? And what to use when a recipe simply states "pale malt"

Order some Rahr 2-row. Problem solved

But seriously, both of those Briess malts sound like the same thing, unless one is actually their "Pale Ale" malt, or one is their organic malt.

[S. cerevisiae]

As an example, my LHBS carries Briess 2 row and Briess 2 row brewer's pale malt. I have had the same question, what's the difference? And what to use when a recipe simply states "pale malt"

I would say that that's a bit confusing because the official name for Briess 2-Row is Briess 2-Row Brewer's Malt.  Briess also offers a Harrington-based Pale Ale malt in addition to their 2-Row Brewer's Malt.  However, I cannot imagine choosing Briess Pale Ale Malt over British Pale Ale Malt. 

[Joe Sr.]

And what to use when a recipe simply states "pale malt"

The answer is likely "it depends."  It depends on the style of beer and what you like.

Breiss 2-row will taste different from Rahr 2-row.

I'd go with the 2-row over the pale ale malt, generally.  If the receipe is for an English ale I might go with the pale ale malt, but in that case I'd likely go with Maris Otter.

Whichever you go with, take notes so that you know how to repeat or avoid what you did for the next batch.

[S. cerevisiae]

Whichever you go with, take notes so that you know how to repeat or avoid what you did for the next batch.

+1

[69franx]

Thanks, I have already been convinced that my next bag of 2 row will be Rahr. And I did have it wrong, my LHBS sells Briess 2 row pale ale malt and 2 row brewer's malt. I was just adding that I had had the same question when shopping locally here, but great to see the replies. Also, what really is the difference between 2 row pale and 2 row brewer's malt? Or is that the same question the OP had asked?

[hopfenundmalz]

Thanks, I have already been convinced that my next bag of 2 row will be Rahr. And I did have it wrong, my LHBS sells Briess 2 row pale ale malt and 2 row brewer's malt. I was just adding that I had had the same question when shopping locally here, but great to see the replies. Also, what really is the difference between 2 row pale and 2 row brewer's malt? Or is that the same question the OP had asked?

The pale malt has higher Lovibond and lower DP.
http://www.brewingwithbriess.com/Products/Base.htm#TwoRow
 

[69franx]

Thanks Jeff, I guess if I had taken the time, I could have found that(even a blind squirrel...) but I appreciate all the same

[S. cerevisiae]

I have never used Rahr 2-row, but I have heard good things about it.  I used to use a lot of Schreier 2-row in the nineties.  I believe that Schreier is now part of the commodities giant Cargill.  Anything is better than Briess 2-Row Brewer's Malt.  That stuff is so bland that it makes melba toast taste good.