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Author Topic: Riverbend Malt House  (Read 2049 times)

Offline erockrph

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Riverbend Malt House
« on: March 22, 2021, 01:15:25 pm »
Has anyone tried any of the malts from Riverbend? I came across them on craftmalting.com and figured I'd try them out. I haven't brewed with them yet, but I did chew on each of them when I got them in. Everything seemed to have just a bit of extra depth of flavor compared to similar malts I've used from other maltsters. The ones I have are:

Southern Select - this is a 2-row that to my palate sits somewhere between Pale malt and Pale ale malt. I wouldn't say that it tastes like Golden Promise, but it seems like it would occupy the same space in my toolbox. I will probably brew a bitter with this as the base malt in the near future.

Heritage - this is a 6-row that is kilned somewhere between a Vienna and Light Munich. The kernels taste phenomenal. I'm using some in an American Wheat, but I could see this paired with some corn to make a killer lager.

Appalachian Wheat - I could eat this one by the handful. It's kilned a bit higher than wheat malt typically is, and it has boatloads of flavor; like taking a bite out of a well-made loaf of bread. This one is going in my American Wheat as well.

I'll post more when I actually brew with them, but I have to admit that I'm pretty excited to try them out.
Eric B.

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Online BrewBama

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2021, 01:36:59 pm »
Where did you buy this malt?

Offline beersk

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2021, 01:40:36 pm »
Sounds nice. How were the prices?

Scroll through this list of maltsters: https://craftmalting.com/craft-malt-finder/
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Offline denny

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2021, 02:21:23 pm »
So glad you found that useful!  The pod coming out Wed. has an interview with the director of the Craft Maltsters Guild and a LOT more info about craft malt.
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2021, 05:57:17 pm »
Where did you buy this malt?
Ashville Brewer's Supply. I didn't see any of the big online shops listed on the craft malting site, so I just picked a retailer that does online sales and gave it a shot. Their standard shipping rate was 12 bucks,  so I ended up buying a couple of batches worth to spread out the extra shipping expense over a few brews. I was pretty impressed by how quick I got my shipment, although I do get the vibe that this is primarily a brick and mortar outfit that does online sales on top of in store sales.
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Offline erockrph

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2021, 06:02:53 pm »
Sounds nice. How were the prices?

Scroll through this list of maltsters: https://craftmalting.com/craft-malt-finder/
Prices for grain were the same as Rahr, Avengard, etc. Shipping was a bit higher than I'm used to paying, but I will probably buy in larger quantities if these are as good as my first impressions lead me to believe.
Eric B.

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Offline Saccharomyces

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2021, 09:03:56 pm »
A LHBS has just started to sell malt from that maltster, but I am too cheap to spend that much money on malt. :)

Offline erockrph

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2021, 09:11:05 pm »
A LHBS has just started to sell malt from that maltster, but I am too cheap to spend that much money on malt. :)
Interesting. There was no more than a nickel difference in price per pound compared to other maltsters at the shop I ordered from.

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Offline Saccharomyces

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2021, 09:27:12 pm »
I purchase base malt in 50 or 55lb bags.  The per pound price at 50lbs is pretty high on the Riverbend Malt House malt.  It is well over a dollar.  My target price is ninety cents to a dollar per pound out of the door. I will pay a little more if I do not have to drive seventy miles, round-trip, to get it.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2021, 03:27:51 pm by Saccharomyces »

Offline denny

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2021, 08:50:49 am »
A LHBS has just started to sell malt from that maltster, but I am too cheap to spend that much money on malt. :)

Yet you go out of your way to take extraordinary measures with yeast to assure good beer.  Malt plays a much larger part, but you need to address the quality of all ingrefients.
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Online hopfenundmalz

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2021, 09:14:20 am »
I've been intrigued by that 6 row for a while. On one of the SN Mills River tours they said that they were doing some brews with it, and the flavor was excellent. It is a heritage 6-row IIRC, the flavor wasn't bred out of it.
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Offline ynotbrusum

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2021, 09:29:30 am »
I love these new (to me) maltsters or malts - my LHBS will look for these in advance without my asking and let me know it is available when they receive it in stock.  I will invariably accept a sack or at least a 10 lb order to try new malts.  Presently trying out North Star Pils from Rahr.  First batch is underway.  Fermenting with Diamond and hoping for the best.
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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2021, 09:34:00 am »
Has anyone tried any of the malts from Riverbend? I came across them on craftmalting.com and figured I'd try them out. I haven't brewed with them yet, but I did chew on each of them when I got them in. Everything seemed to have just a bit of extra depth of flavor compared to similar malts I've used from other maltsters. The ones I have are:

Southern Select - this is a 2-row that to my palate sits somewhere between Pale malt and Pale ale malt. I wouldn't say that it tastes like Golden Promise, but it seems like it would occupy the same space in my toolbox. I will probably brew a bitter with this as the base malt in the near future.

Heritage - this is a 6-row that is kilned somewhere between a Vienna and Light Munich. The kernels taste phenomenal. I'm using some in an American Wheat, but I could see this paired with some corn to make a killer lager.

Appalachian Wheat - I could eat this one by the ha ndful. It's kilned a bit higher than wheat malt typically is, and it has boatloads of flavor; like taking a bite out of a well-made loaf of bread. This one is going in my American Wheat as well.

I'll post more when I actually brew with them, but I have to admit that I'm pretty excited to try them out.

Adding Appalachian Wheat & Heritage to my forever growing list of stuff to try.

Offline pete b

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2021, 11:46:34 am »
I am finishing up my Valley Malt and don’t see a way to buy more. They were doing a CSA like program , maybe it’s just not the right season, I am going to email them.
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Offline Saccharomyces

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Re: Riverbend Malt House
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2021, 03:41:41 pm »
Yet you go out of your way to take extraordinary measures with yeast to assure good beer.  Malt plays a much larger part, but you need to address the quality of all ingrefients.

I just have not found a domestic malt that compares to British or continental malt.  I am not saying that one does not exist.  I am saying that I am not willing to pay a premium price for a domestic malt that is only slightly better than continental or British malt.  I do not purchase the most expensive hops I can find either.  Until a domestic craft maltster is willing to sponsor me or at least provide malt at the same price I can purchase imported malt, I will stick with the best imported malt I can find at a price I am willing to pay.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2021, 03:43:53 pm by Saccharomyces »