Ever Get a Bag of Horrible Grain?

[RLinNH]

First time ever in all the years I have been brewing, did I get a bag of grain that was sub par. I got a bag of Pilsner from a local Maltster. Not going to say who, but anyone that knows where I am from will figure it out. My usual Eff. numbers are anywhere between 78%-82%. This malt knocked me down to the 60%-62% range... WTF? How do I know it was the grain and not something I was doing? Once the 50lbs of pilsner were gone, I went out and bought a bag of my normal 2 row. Right back to where I should be as far as numbers. Anyone here have a similar experience with a bad bag of malt? I did try Briess once that yielded me down to the low 70's, but nothing like what this pilsner did to me.

 

[chickypad]

Are you step mashing? Wouldn't be surprised if that was an undermodified malt.

 

[RLinNH]

Are you step mashing? Wouldn't be surprised if that was an undermodified malt.

No I wasn't step mashing, and that's something that NEVER crossed my mind. Great point chicky!!! The more I think of it, a small Maltster, small product output, I am willing to bet that the low efficiency was on my part due to not step mashing. Head Space and Timing...

 

[beersk]

Are you step mashing? Wouldn't be surprised if that was an undermodified malt.

Good point. This would be my guess as well. Either way, that's a bummer. I mean, you wouldn't expect it to be under modified malt this day and age. Everything is pretty well modified these days, even many (or most) of the German malts.