Beer Forum

I just got four airtight containers that can store 60lbs of grain, and I'm trying to decide what base grains I should pick. I already have Marris Otter, Pilsner, and Munich, but need to pick one more.
(I have two sacks of MO, but the other sack should be fine if I just put it (unopened) in a trash bag right?)
*based on suggestions, I'm looking at getting a sack of 2-row, and getting another container so I can have white wheat as well*

I'm also getting a bunch of one gallon screw-lid containers (will hold ~5lbs), and I'm trying to compile a list what grains. The containers are cheap (about $3), but the shipping is more. (about $15)

Here's my list so far

1. biscuit
2. black patent
3. carafa II
4. caramunich III
5. Carapils
6. carared
7. caravienne
8. chocolate
9. carahell
10. crystal 120L
11. crystal 20L
12. crystal 40L
13. crystal 60L
14. crystal 90L
15. debittered black
16. English Brown
17. flaked oats
18. flaked rye
19. honey malt
20. peated
21. roasted barley
22. special B
23. special roast
24. Vienna
25. wheat, caramel

I don't want to get a bunch of a grain I'll never use, but I also don't want to go to brew something and be out of luck. You guys have any suggestions for more, and why I should?

definately get a bag of 2 row, the other list pretty much looks like mine only without all the cara. malts. i don't know if you need all those.

It really depends on what style of beer you like to brew, if your always trying something new instead of sticking to 3 or 4 recipes it's going to be a little harder to decide what to have on hand.

Here's what I usually have around.

Base malts:
MO
2 row
Pils
Munich
DME for starters

Specialty:
Wheat malt
C60
C120
Chocolate malt
Black Patent
Carapils
Flaked Oats

Don't forget to buy hops in bulk (hops direct) and a bank several strains of yeast.

Cheers!

Looks pretty thorough. A bag of domestic two row and some wheat malt are the only things I don't see on there that I use pretty regularly. As to ones you could omit, flaked oats can be replaced by your usual oatmeal from the grocery store. You could do without the Caravienne, carahell, and carared unless you brew German beers pretty often, or drop the Special roast and Brown if you don't do many milds/porters, etc.

Someone on the session, Colin I think, said you shouldn't store Crystal too long because it loses something really quick. I may have been recent or older, I can't be sure. I relistening to all the archives and getting my shows all mixed up. ( Just listened to Zymerholic singing "All By Myself" )