[richardt]

Struggling with the choices for Maris Otter.

Which ones do you prefer and why?

[a10t2]

My favorite is Thomas Fawcett. The LHBS switched to Munton's and I wasn't really satisfied with that so I had to start mail-ordering TF. The Munton's kernels were smaller and it just seemed less flavorful overall. I used Crisp once and it was good too - I'm not sure I could tell the difference between it and TF.

[gordonstrong]

I use Crisp.  It tastes good, converts easily, and always results in a clear beer.  LHBS seems to always carry Muntons, which as often as not, doesn't give me as much extract and is often hazy.  Haven't used Fawcett but don't really have a need to look past Crisp.

[bluesman]

I prefer Thomas Fawcett.  It hasn't let me down yet. 

[blatz]

I use Thomas Fawcett, used to use Crisp, but switched to TF when I was forced to start buying from North Country when my former LHBS got stupid.  Both are fantastic and IMO hard to discern a difference between the two.  That said, I have a new LHBS that gets Crisp, so I may be switching back.

I've used a few bags of Muntons and like Strong, I found the extract to be much less, a much longer cold conditioning required for clarity, and I thought it tasted kinda dusty/grainy.

I have also used Bairds and thought it was good but IIRC it was significantly more expensive than Crisp or TF, and I didn't think it was worth the xtra $$.

You can also get some other TF varieties which I would encourage you to try - Optic (what Fuller's uses), Pearl and Halcyon.  I personally really like Halcyon quite a bit.

[Hokerer]

Crisp Marris Otter here.  Always turns out great.

[johnf]

Crisp for the same reasons as above, also it is easy enough to get from multiple suppliers (I'd rather not get used to something I may not be able to get next time).

Used Simpson's once as I love their specialty malts. It was great but a bit lighter in color and flavor than Crisp. I figure I am going with expensive english malt to get that biscuity character so I have a slight preference for the one that has more of that, all else equal.

[anthayes]

Do you chaps get Warminster in the US?

http://www.warminster-malt.co.uk/marisotter.php

Ant Hayes
Tonbridge, Kent

[Hokerer]

Do you chaps get Warminster in the US?

http://www.warminster-malt.co.uk/marisotter.php

Ant Hayes
Tonbridge, Kent

Noticed that Northern Brewer recently started offering Warminster...

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brewing-ingredients/grain-malts/base-malts/warminster-floor-malted-marris-otter.html

...haven't seen it anywhere else.

[gordonstrong]

Do you chaps get Warminster in the US?

I haven't seen it yet. Do you have an opinion on it, particularly versus the other maltsters?

[phillamb168]

Do you chaps get Warminster in the US?

I haven't seen it yet. Do you have an opinion on it, particularly versus the other maltsters?

I've got a 25-kg sack of Warminster from Hamstead Brewing Centre, and I gotta say, it's quality stuff. Dunno how well it would hold up on the voyage over there but I assume it'd still be pretty good.

[skyler]

I've got a 25-kg sack of Warminster from Hamstead Brewing Centre, and I gotta say, it's quality stuff. Dunno how well it would hold up on the voyage over there but I assume it'd still be pretty good.

All our Maris Otter makes that voyage - it isn't grown commercially outside the UK, as far as I know. I have used Simpson's, Thomas Fawcett, and Baird's. I greatly prefer TF and Baird's over Simpson's, but it's close between TF and Baird. I found Simpson's too caramelly for my taste. TF is what I always buy now because that's what certified foods carries.

[anthayes]

Do you chaps get Warminster in the US?

I haven't seen it yet. Do you have an opinion on it, particularly versus the other maltsters?

I haven't done a side by side - but I like it a lot, and many brewers over here swear by it.

The low colour version is great for IPAs, and their standard pale ale has so much flavour that I have greatly reduced the amount of crystal that I use in my bitters.

Ant Hayes
Tonbridge, Kent

[Rhoobarb]

Thomas Fawcett here.  Use their Golden Promise more than MO, but liked both very much.  Blatz mentioned their Halcyon and I have heard good things about it.  Might give it a try sometime.

[dbeechum]

Let me think.. so far I've used Baird's, Warminster, Glen Eagle and Crisp.

Crisp has been my favorite so far, but they've all been perfectly fine for my needs.