SPECIALIST BREWERS VOTE FOR MARIS OTTER BARLEY
Maris Otter was the champion barley-of-choice for eight of the last ten winners of the ‘Champion Beer of Britain’, according to research conducted by Robin Appel Ltd, malting barley merchants.
Maris Otter was born in the 1960’s from two barley varieties, Proctor and Pioneer, and it soon established itself as the foundation for high quality cask ales.
The winning beers were:
2000 Moorhouse’s Black Cat
2001 Oakham Jeffrey Hudson Bitter
2002 Caledonian Deuchars IPA
2004 Kelham Island Pale Rider
2005 Crouch Vale Brewers Gold
2006 Crouch Vale Brewers Gold
2007 Hobsons Mild
2008 Triple FFF Alton’s Pride
The Tests
In 2006, Robin Appel Ltd, wanted more evidence of its special flavour and style, and so commissioned* tests on eight different barley varieties to assess their individual characteristics. This involved making ‘porridges’ and beers from each of the eight malts so as to compare the barleys’ flavours in their un-fermented and fermented forms.
The Results
Beer experts were stunned by the differences of flavour moving from words like ‘honeyed, bready, creamy, Horlicks and Ovaltine to green apple, spicy, Bovril and bitter toffee. The conclusion was that ‘all barleys are not born equal’ and that Maris Otter’s soft, generous flavours make it very special. Its subtle flavours seem to compliment other ingredients rather than competing with them.
Jonathan Arnold, sales director of Robin Appel Ltd:
“Maris Otter was one of the last barleys to be developed in Britain for its flavour, and not just for its brewing capabilities, so its prize-winning achievements have come as no surprise.
“To demonstrate this further to brewers in a more colourful way, we have been working with Little Rose Bakery of Bishop’s Waltham to make two sets of biscuits from Maris Otter and Tipple malts. A high malt inclusion has been used in the biscuits and the difference in flavour and aroma is quite astounding.
“The area of Maris Otter under contract to Robin Appel Ltd will be at its largest ever for the 2010 harvest. This is a great achievement for a 49 year old barley variety, at a time when the total area of malting barley sown in Britain is set to experience one of its largest ever reductions.”
*Brewing Research International carried out the research.
Editors’ Notes:
Maltsters find that Maris Otter is easier to malt than some modern varieties which are grown for yield and ease of production for the grower rather than for flavour. It matures quickly after harvest, there are no dormancy problems and the thin skins absorb water easily, giving no processing difficulties. It has the ability to produce grain with low levels of nitrogen. Brewers find that Maris Otter malt is easy to handle and very “forgiving‟ in the brew house.
THE MARIS OTTER FAN CLUB
Roger Protz:
“Maris Otter is used in 50% of the 110 British standard real ales and beers mentioned in Roger Protz’s book “300 beers to try before you die”. Roger Protz calls Maris Otter ‘the finest malting barley’.”
Wye Valley Brewery in Stoke Lacy (Vernon Amor):
“We use only the finest Maris Otter barley malt in all our beers. This variety was introduced in 1966 and although more modern varieties are cheaper and give better yields through the brewhouse, there is something magical about Maris Otter. It is like a lucky rabbit’s foot to Brewers, it performs well through the brewery and gives beers a distinct flavour. We have tried other varieties, but always come back to Maris Otter and probably always will.”
Marston’s Brewery in Burton upon Trent (Richard Westwood):
“Pedigree has always been crafted using the finest natural ingredients to ensure you receive a truly exceptional beer. We only use natural Burton spring water and traditional varieties of barley and hops (Maris Otter barley, Fuggles and Goldings hops), rather than less expensive, commercially grown modern hybrids.”
Harvey’s Brewery in Lewes, Sussex (Miles Jenner):
“Maris Otter is expensive, contract grown by specialist farmers, but … it’s necessary to pay the premium: if you want good beer, you need good barley.”
St Austell Brewery in Cornwall (Roger Ryman):
“…the variety should continue to be grown for years to come… Maris Otter gives a fullness of flavour that is not always experienced with other varieties. St Austell Brewery will continue to brew with only the best, and that means Maris Otter!”
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