“Barley Is Not Widgets”
“Barley Is Not Widgets”.
“Barley is not widgets” are the words of Robin Appel when addressing brewers and distillers visiting Warminster Maltings. The remark is qualified by pointing out firstly there are different varieties, each with its own different flavour profile. That is before you consider the regional location, soil type and husbandry methods employed in its cultivation. The remark is a deliberate dig at the brewing schools of yesteryear which preached that all barleys are broadly the same.
This so impressed Richard Baggaley of Wheatlow Craft Brewery when he visited, that he decided to brew a beer which he named with those words. Using 100% Plumage Archer malt for his grain bill, obtained from The Malt Miller, Richard chose to brew a Gold Beer flavoured with two varieties of English hops, Challenger and East Kent Gold. He filmed the whole process.
Richard describes the finished beer thus: “Smells amazing”, “Lovely creamy head” with very good retention, “Absolutely delicious and smooth” with “A honey flavour and sweetness” which compliments the hops. “Quite interesting”.
He goes on to say it is nothing like any beer he has ever brewed before.
Barley is quite definitely NOT widgets!
The video is well worth a watch and you can do so here:
Watch the Video
Cheers!
