Sebastian variety malt

[brewnaboinne]

Has anyone tried the Sebastian pale ale malt from Minch of Athy, Ireland? I've only ever used Maris Otter before, how do they compare?

[seymour]

Has anyone tried the Sebastian pale ale malt from Minch of Athy, Ireland? I've only ever used Maris Otter before, how do they compare?

Sebastian is the agricultural trade name for a newish variety of spring barley. I think it was originally bred in Scotland. It is a very nice, neutral, "pan-European" barley which maltsters all around the world use for pilsener style malt, or occasionally blend with other fuller-bodied barleys into pale ale malt.

That tells me it's going to be a lot less nutty and biscuity and bready than Maris Otter. Plan to use it in recipes where you'd otherwise use something lighter and crisper and less obvious, such as Pilsener, Lager malt, or Golden Promise.