What is pearled barley, will any of this work?

[thrstyunderwater]

If you've read any of my posts I'm a new brewer starting out in hawaii. Two problems I'm facing are temp for fermentation and freaking shipping prices. I can't afford it. Anyway, I was looming on a natural foods website and they have pearled barley. I'm hoping to find something that will work as a base grain here on island an then just order speciality grains. Will pearled barley work. Here's the link to their website if anyone wants to look at the list and see if there is anything else that I could use for a base malt. http://www.hokufoods.com/search.php...rtdescr=Y&by_fulldescr=Y&substring=B04&page=4

 

[Yooper]

Pearled barley is unmalted barley that has had the hull removed. Like the barley in beef barley soup.

Brewing barley is malted, and not hulled or pearled. So, no, that type of barley won't work.

 

[Revvy]

Sorry that won't work, you need malted barley to make beer with. A special process is done to 2-row barley to make it able to be converted in the mashing process, to convert the starches to sugars. Regular old "cooking" barley has not been malted, so it won't work.

Having said that, if there are any farmers growing 2-row barley, it is prossible to home malt it, though it is really difficult, and mostly impractical for the home brewer. Though it can be done. Here's a thread on that https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/happiness-home-malting-107409/

So is it expensive to order from the big island? I googled "homebrew shops in Hawaii", and this came up. http://rocketsuds.com/about_us

Rocket Suds has 2-row; U.S. 2-row pale (per lb.) - $1.39 a pound.

 

[thrstyunderwater]

I didn't think so. I know they have barley on the husk, hopefully I'll find one there that works.

 

[FireNightFly]

Cheers YooperBrew!
I had the same questions a few days ago when I went to the whole foods store. I hadnt asked yet only because I wasnt ready to go all grain. Glad to know though, will make my next shopping experience more informative.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Pearled barley, in the brewing world, is an adjunct and can only be used if you provide enough base grain with sufficient diastase to convert the starches.

So, like the hot chick sed, nope can't be used as a base grain.

 

[Yooper]

So, like the hot chick sed, nope can't be used as a base grain.

Hey- did you just call me a hot chick? You are so going to be favored from now on.......................

If you can get basemalt for $1.39 as Revvy alluded to, that's not bad. Even in Green Bay, malt not in bulk goes for about $1.75/pound.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

You are so going to be favored from now on.......................

Soooooo many ideas running through my mind. Some including a hockey jersey.


Speaking Hawaiian, I recall reading a few blogs about some poi experiments that turned out favorable. The OP might try googling summdat. (Of course, will still need some base grain to convert the starches.)

 

[Revvy]

You might also want to consider contacting these hombrew clubs in Hawaii that I googled, they may turn you on to some local sources, or you can get in on a bulk buy or something.

http://home.honolulu.hawaii.edu/~lcorra/hops/

Orchid Isle Alers
45 Ualehua Street
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: 808 935-3529
Email: [email protected]


Brewhart
73-1095 Mahi Lani Dr
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Phone: 808-325-6673


Kona Coast Barley Boys
PO Box 1833
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745-1833
Phone: 808-325-7449

 

[david_42]

Order some Amylase enzyme. That is the main chemical that allows malted barley to do its trick.

 

[Mumathomebrew]

I suppose we could grind it and spit in it. It gets boiled after all. I was looking at the pot barley too today and bought a small amount to play with.