[davidgzach]

Hello fellow home brewers!  It's been some time since my last log on, sorry.  But I need some opinions ASAP.

I'm brewing v.3 of my Heady Topper clone.  Version 2 was VERY close and I think I need slight hop adjustments.  That being said, I'm scheduled to brew tomorrow with my buddy, but life as usual got in the way and I forgot to order Pearl malt.  My LHBS has Maris Otter which I think will not make a discernible difference, but the purest in me needs to check with my peeps. 

What say you all?  How will MO change the outcome from Pearl?

-Dave

[beersk]

I don't think it will make a discernible difference in a beer like that with so much hop character. I'd use the MO.

[Joe Sr.]

I'm not really familiar with Pearl, but MO has a pretty distinct flavor (IMO) and may also produce a slightly darker beer.

If you can get it, you might be better off with a pale ale malt or just some plain 2-row.

[davidgzach]

I don't think it will make a discernible difference in a beer like that with so much hop character. I'd use the MO.

From what I've read, The Alchemist uses Pearl due to it's breadiness and ability to support the hop character.  I'm hoping MO will not be so far off that it changes the beer entirely.  I just don't know enough about grain or have the palate.....

Dave

[davidgzach]

I'm not really familiar with Pearl, but MO has a pretty distinct flavor (IMO) and may also produce a slightly darker beer.

If you can get it, you might be better off with a pale ale malt or just some plain 2-row.

I have a sack of Breiss Pale Ale malt but I don't think it will stand up to the hop profile.  Per my last post, I think that's why they chose Pearl or something similar.  Hoping MO is closer than further away.....

Dave

[pete b]

I'm not really familiar with Pearl, but MO has a pretty distinct flavor (IMO) and may also produce a slightly darker beer.

If you can get it, you might be better off with a pale ale malt or just some plain 2-row.

I have a sack of Breiss Pale Ale malt but I don't think it will stand up to the hop profile.  Per my last post, I think that's why they chose Pearl or something similar.  Hoping MO is closer than further away.....

Dave

If I were in your shoes I think I would do something like a 50/50 blend of the MO and pale 2 row malt. MO is fairly distinctive and might not be a great base malt at 100% but combined with 2 row might get you where you want.

[HoosierBrew]

I'm not really familiar with Pearl, but MO has a pretty distinct flavor (IMO) and may also produce a slightly darker beer.

If you can get it, you might be better off with a pale ale malt or just some plain 2-row.

I have a sack of Breiss Pale Ale malt but I don't think it will stand up to the hop profile.  Per my last post, I think that's why they chose Pearl or something similar.  Hoping MO is closer than further away.....

Dave

I think you'll make good beer regardless, Dave. I'd just say that Russian River makes some mighty fine IPAs/IIPAs with domestic 2 row and pretty aggressive hopping. Go with what sounds good to you. Good luck!

[Stevie]

I've made an IPA with Maris otter base malt out of convenience. It worked out fine. Never used Pearl as it is it isn't available local to me.

[Hooper]

You might try 2/3 MO + 1/3 2-row or 1/2 and 1/2...

[mharding73]

I just finished a 50/50 2 row, MO and happy with it.  Munich in there too. 

[pete b]

I just finished a 50/50 2 row, MO and happy with it.  Munich in there too. 

Any sports coach would notice that you gave 110%!

[S. cerevisiae]

Pearl is my standard British malt.  It definitely does not taste like Maris Otter (MO).  Pearl has a refined bready flavor that is very clean for a British malt. Maris Otter has a much stronger flavor that is more biscuit than bread.

[mharding73]

I just finished a 50/50 2 row, MO and happy with it.  Munich in there too. 

Any sports coach would notice that you gave 110%!

Yeah I was real happy with the taste on this.    Hopefully the Blackhawks put 110% in tomorrow when they the Blues.  I will be there watching.

[Hooper]

I really like Pearl...

[davidgzach]

Great advice guys!  I like the idea of a mix a LOT.  I think we will taste all malts available and come up with a plan.  I knew the forum would set me right!! 

I'll report back.....

Dave