
Maris Otter Ale Malt - Crisp Malting Group
Finest Maris Otter® Ale Malt, produced by Crisp Malt, is a celebrated heritage malt known for its robust flavour and classic malt body. Bred from winter and spring barley varieties, it thrives in North Norfolk’s unique coastal climate, delivering a sweet, biscuity malt with light toffee notes. Ideal for traditional English ales, stouts, and IPAs, Maris Otter® is favoured for its ease of brewing and rich, consistent flavour.
- Wort Colour: 5.5-7.2 EBC
- Usage: Up to 100%
- Beer Styles: British Bitters, english IPA, brown Ale, dark mild, porter, stout, barleywine, old Ale
Description
Maris Otter® is a revered British heritage malt, celebrated for its profound malty flavours and versatility in brewing. Originally cultivated in the 1960s, Maris Otter has roots in the fields of Norfolk and Suffolk, where the combination of soil and climate makes it ideal for producing richly flavoured barley. Its reputation has been sustained by both traditional British brewers and modern craft brewers worldwide, thanks to its well-rounded flavour profile and reliable malting qualities.
How to Use Maris Otter Malt
As a base malt, Maris Otter can comprise up to 100% of the grain bill, making it a foundation for a range of ales and darker styles. Its good enzymatic activity simplifies mashing, allowing it to convert starches into sugars efficiently, which is especially beneficial for single-infusion mashes. Maris Otter also pairs well with crystal and roasted malts, creating depth in bitters, porters, and even IPAs, where it complements the flavours of specialty hops without overpowering them.
Flavour Profile
The flavour of Maris Otter is famously biscuity, with subtle sweetness, toasted bread notes, and hints of caramel and nuttiness. In darker beers, this malt provides a balancing maltiness, while in pale ales, it stands out with a clean, smooth backbone that enhances the beer’s complexity without overwhelming other flavours.
Enzymatic Activity
With diastatic power between 40 and 60 Lintner, Maris Otter has ample enzymatic strength to convert starches, making it a go-to choice for both full-malt mashes and partial mashes that include specialty grains. This flexibility ensures brewers can maintain flavourful and efficient fermentations.
Mashing
Maris Otter is a highly modified malt, allowing for straightforward single-infusion mashing at moderate temperatures. The malt’s conversion power supports consistent results, particularly in classic British ales. This ease of mashing makes it a favourite for beginners and experienced brewers alike.
Combining with Other Malts
For more complex flavour profiles, Maris Otter pairs well with darker roasted malts, as well as with lighter specialty malts like caramel or honey malt. This combination can add depth and colour while retaining a balanced, harmonious brew.
Benefits of Maris Otter
Known for its clean and pronounced malty profile, Maris Otter enhances any brew with a touch of British character. Its high extract potential contributes to efficient brewing, and its slightly lower nitrogen content supports better mash clarity and filtration.
History
Developed in the early 1960s as a collaborative project by British farmers and malting companies, Maris Otter quickly became synonymous with English ales. While nearly phased out in the 1990s, the resurgence in craft brewing revitalised demand, re-establishing it as a staple ingredient. Today, Maris Otter is prized for its consistent quality and is used in renowned ales worldwide.
Key Features:
- Moisture Content: Max 3.5%
- Extract (Dry Basis): 80.6%
- Wort Colour: 5.5-7.2 EBC
- Diastatic Power: 40-60 Lintner
- Usage: Up to 100%
- Flavour Profile: Biscuit, nutty, lightly sweet
- Applications: British bitters, pale ales, IPAs, porters, stouts
- Beer Styles: British Bitters, english IPA, brown Ale, dark mild, porter, stout, barleywine, old Ale
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