Malting and brewing characteristics of new malting barley varieties

Abstract

1.1 Samples of one new winter (Diamond) and one new spring barley (Spire) were assessed for malting and brewing quality. Each variety was compared with a control grown at the same site. Within a set all samples were malted on a small scale using identical conditions. This allowed malting performance to be compared and also indicated the most appropriate conditions for pilot scale malting.

1.2 Each barley was then malted on the pilot scale using the conditions best suited for that variety, in order to try and produce a malt which matched an agreed lager malt specification.

1.3 Each malt, was then brewed using identical processing conditions to produce an 11°P lager.

1.4 Barleys, malts, worts and beers were analysed using standard IOB methods. Barley endosperm quality was also assessed using the Light Transflectance Meter, which is a new instrument developed at BRI as a result of HGCA-funded work (Project Report Nos141and 238).

1.5 Winter Barley

Diamond appears to be a good variety with high extract, low b-glucan and a ready ability to form soluble nitrogen. This combination may mean that potential to form colour could be high. On pilot malting, the trial variety performed well in the brewhouse. There were no significant differences in either lautering or fermentation performance when compared to the relevant control. The lager beers produced were of sound quality and flavour, typical of their type. This variety produces a consistently low DP, which may compromise its suitability for some commercial applications.

At the Malting Barley Committee (30th May) Diamond was awarded Provisional 1 status on the IOB Approved Variety List for Harvest 2003.

1.6 Spring Barley

Spire was not better overall than the Optic control; extract in particular was significantly lower. Due to optimisation of the pilot malting process the trial variety performed well in the brewhouse. There were no significant differences in either lautering or fermentation performance when compared to the relevant control. The lager beers produced were of sound quality and flavour, typical of their type.
Spire did not progress onto the IOB Approved Variety List.

A copy of the current IOB Approved Variety List for Harvest 2003 is included as Annex 4.