Golden Promise : The British Icon

When it comes to brewing, the choice of base malt is as crucial as selecting the right hops or yeast. One such malt that has earned a legendary status among brewers worldwide is Golden Promise. This heritage malt is celebrated for its versatility, unique flavor, and ability to shine in various beer styles. If you’re not already a fan of Golden Promise, you’re about to learn why this malt deserves a place in your brewery.

A brief history of Golden Promise

Golden promise was born in the fertile lands of Scotland in the early 1960s. It was developed by Miln Marsters as part of a breeding program aimed at improving barley varieties for malting and brewing. The innovation came from an experiment: exposing the Maythorpe barley variety to gamma radiation. The result was a mutation that led to the creation of Golden Promise—a semi-dwarf barley with excellent malting characteristics and improved yield for farmers.

By the late 1960s, Golden Promise had made its way into the hands of brewers, quickly earning a reputation as a superior base malt for crafting flavorful beers. Its adaptability and malty sweetness helped it gain traction in both traditional British ales and modern craft beer recipes.

Even today, Golden Promise remains a staple in malt houses like Simpsons and Bairds, beloved for its consistent quality and performance.

What makes Golden Promise unique?

Golden Promise stands out among base malts due to its flavor profile, brewing performance, and heritage. Here’s what sets it apart:

1. flavor profile: Golden Promise is known for its clean, sweet maltiness with hints of biscuit and soft bread dough. It provides a more delicate sweetness compared to maris otter but still packs enough character to hold its own in the grist.
2. versatility: this malt is like a chameleon in the brewing world. It works beautifully in hop-forward IPAs, malt-driven ales, and even delicate lagers. It’s also a go-to for single malt and single hop (SMaSH) beers, where its subtle complexity can shine.
3. diastatic power: Golden Promise boasts excellent enzymatic activity, making it ideal for single infusion mashing. Its diastatic power ensures efficient starch conversion, even when paired with adjuncts like raw wheat or flaked oats.
4. mouthfeel: one of the reasons brewers love Golden Promise is its contribution to a smooth, full-bodied mouthfeel. This makes it particularly attractive for session ales and beers with lower final gravity.

Popular beer styles for Golden Promise

Golden Promise has found a home in a wide variety of beer styles. Here are a few examples:

1. Hop-forward ales: the clean sweetness of Golden Promise balances the bold hop flavors in IPAs, pale ales, and NEIPAs. It’s a favorite among brewers looking for a malt that complements modern hop varieties.
2. Traditional british ales: Golden Promise is a natural fit for bitters, milds, and Scottish ales, where its malty backbone supports the restrained use of hops.
3. Cask ales: for brewers making traditional cask-conditioned beers, golden promiseGolden Promise delivers the depth of flavor and body necessary for these timeless styles.
4. Experimental beers: thanks to its versatility, Golden Promise is also used in experimental and hybrid styles, including saisons, barrel-aged ales, and even sour beers.

Brewing with Golden Promise

Whether you’re a professional brewer or a homebrew enthusiast, brewing with Golden Promise is straightforward. Here’s how to get the best results:

1. Using it as a base malt

Golden Promise can make up 100% of your grist, providing a strong foundation for any beer style. Its mild yet distinctive flavor allows other ingredients, like hops or specialty malts, to shine without overpowering them.

2. Pairing with hops

Golden Promise’s clean sweetness pairs beautifully with modern hop varieties like citra, mosaic, and cascade. It balances the intense citrus and tropical fruit flavors, making it a favorite for hop-forward styles like IPAs and pale ales.

3. Mash considerations

Golden Promise has a high degree of modification, meaning it’s well-suited for single infusion mashes. If you’re incorporating adjuncts like raw wheat or unmalted grains, its enzymatic strength will help convert starches effectively.

4. Experiment with specialty malts

Golden Promise’s subtle sweetness works well alongside specialty malts like caramel malt or roasted barley. For example, in stouts and porters, it provides a solid malt backbone without overwhelming the darker, roasted flavors.

Flavor comparisons: Golden Promise vs. Maris Otter and 2-Row

When compared to other popular base malts like Maris Otter and standard 2-Row, Golden Promise offers a unique set of characteristics:

• Golden Promise: Known for its sweet, clean flavor with subtle biscuit notes, it provides a balanced malt profile suitable for a wide range of beer styles.
• Maris Otter: This English malt imparts a more pronounced malty sweetness and biscuity flavor, often preferred in traditional British ales.
• 2-Row: A commonly used base malt that offers a neutral flavor profile, allowing other ingredients to shine.

While Maris Otter and 2-Row have their own merits, Golden Promise stands out for its unique flavor contributions and versatility in brewing.

Quick FAQ: Answers to common Golden Promise questions

Q: Can Golden Promise be used as a base malt?
A: Yes! Golden promise is a fully modified malt with excellent enzymatic activity, making it perfect for use as a base malt in any beer style.

Q: Does Golden Promise work in hop-forward beers?
A: Absolutely. Its clean, sweet maltiness balances well with bold hop flavors, making it a favorite for IPAs, pale ales, and NEIPAs.

Q: How much Golden Promise should I use?
A: You can use Golden Promise for up to 100% of your grist. Its versatility means you don’t need to blend it with other base malts unless you’re targeting a specific flavor.

Q: Will Golden Promise contribute to a fuller body?
A: Yes, Golden Promise is known for its smooth mouthfeel and slightly fuller body, which enhances session ales and malt-forward styles.

Q: How does Golden Promise compare to maris otter?
A: Golden Promise is sweeter and lighter, while maris otter is maltier and more biscuity. Choose Golden Promise for modern styles and maris otter for traditional British ales.

Q: Does golden promise work in lagers?
A: Yes, Golden Promise’s clean flavor makes it a good option for malt-forward lagers, though it’s more commonly used in ales.

Q: Will Golden Promise impact lautering efficiency?
A: No, Golden Promise is well-modified and lauters efficiently, making it easy to use in both small and large-scale brewing systems.

Q: Is Golden Promise gluten-free?
A: No, golden promise is made from barley and contains gluten, so it’s not suitable for gluten-free beers.

Why choose Golden Promise?

Golden Promise isn’t just a malt; it’s a brewing tradition. Its clean, sweet flavor, coupled with its versatility, makes it an essential ingredient for brewers seeking to elevate their recipes. Whether you’re crafting a hop-forward IPA, a traditional ale, or a creative hybrid style, golden promise delivers the balance, body, and flavor you need.