Beer Forum

Hey guys, I'm finally to the point in my brewery, that I can start buying grains in bulk. I just purchased four air tight containers to store my grains in. I brew a variety of beers, Pale, Amber Ales, IPA's, a summer Wheat, Octoberfest, Porter, Bocks. I'm trying to brew up a variety as the seasons change So, which grains would you all recommend

I always have a sack of Maris Otter and Weyermann Pils on hand. If I could add two more I would buy Weyermann Munich Light(6l) and maybe Simpsons Golden Promise. I suppose american 2 row would be an obvious choice although I have never used it. I brew a ten gallon batch every 3 weeks and I dont feel I brew enough to buy specialty malts in bulk...the munich would be pushing it for me.

You save the most by prioritizing your base malts in bulk:

1) Maris Otter
2) American 2 row
3) Munich or Wheat , depending on whether you plan to brew Okto or Weizen next
4) Pilsner

If I were to throw a 5th in there, it would be Caramunich 47 malt, which is versatile as hell and can be used in your Pale, IPA, Ambers, and Porter.

You can buy the rest in smaller amounts as needed.

my .02

I buy Domestic 2-Row, Maris Otter, and Pils by the sack. I usually try and find someone to split a sack of Munich or Wheat with me, as I don't go through it near as fast. Everything else is bought in 5 lb increments.

Thanks for the input, it definetly helps hearing from others who have already been where I am now. In looking through some of my recipies as well as BCS and others, it looks like those are the four I need to keep on hand. Maybe with a slight variance during a specific season and thirst level. Well that and keeping my kid out of my Red. About the only time he comes around is when he knows I've just kegged a fresh red. At least I'm breaking him away from BMC.

i just started buying in bulk and i got maris otter for the base of all my american/english styles and belgian pilsner for belgians. I try to support my LHBS by purchasing all other malts there. I am thinking about getting some munich, depending on how fast i run through my first sacks.

I just picked up a sack of MO and Weyermann Pils today to restock my base malts - use them individually for the style or blend them 50/50 for a domestic two-row replacement. I tend to buy specialty malts a few pounds at a time depending on what I'm planning on brewing, but i keep the basics for some stouts and pale ales on hand.

Everyone seems to have the same four grains. In looking at the recipies from BCS as well as what I've been brewing, those will about cover most brew days. With a slight variation for seasonal adjustments, I think I'm set. Now to find a reason to get down to B3 to justify the gas.