Originally posted by jebzter
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Most large suppliers offering pre-milled malt will be using a 4, or even 6 roller mill offering much more consistency (and possibly efficiency) in the milled grains. I used pre-milled malts at a small brewpub for over a year and had extremely consistent results. It did change at one point, but was noted, mentioned, and later identified as a change in kernel size due to barley crop. Actually got a letter directly from the supplier mentioning the wet crop year as the reason. It was adjusted for at the supplier, and then when kernel size changed with a new bulk lot, it was re-adjusted again. Can just as easily happen in house without noticing.
I would say you are better off having the control of as much as possible in-house, and there were other negatives associated with pre-milled malt. The mill is used for many companies, and takes time for the supplier to process, so that can hinder what is available. The biggest issue I saw was oxidation. Literally the malt would taste oxidized within a couple days of the milling. I am sure some of this transferred to the beer, however I could not identify it in the final product. We were a brewpub, so the beer did not last long enough for aging to take place and we did not store bulk amounts of malt, although I am sure the oxidation of malt would have had a slight effect on shelf life.
I would never advocate for using pre-milled malts myself, but I was able to make consistent, and quality product with it during the year I had to. We upgraded to a mill as soon as feasible, but it was once we were upgrading the whole brewery as well. At 5bbl or less, I would not personally consider a mill a necessary investment, especially if you plan to upgrade in the future.
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