Growing barley

[snakeshack]

So I'm already growing hops on the allotment ,and have got the processing sorted,so I thought........why not try some barley,try malting it myself and do a small SMASH (single malt single hop) brew.I'm m not looking for industrial quantities just something unique to my plot.
We already brew a couple of gallons of chateaux naff de plot from our grapes annually,so I was thinking beer would be the next challenge.
So.........where can I get some barley to sow.

[Chestnut]

I have heard that marrowfat peas from the supermarket grow well. Why not try the same with a packet of pearl barley? I haven’t tried it myself, so cannot guarantee success, but it’s surely worth a punt?

[Guest]

https://galensgarden.co.uk/shop/cereal-grass-seeds/

Seed


Unfortunately don't know what they are like but struggled earlier in the year to get small quantities of cereal crops and brown envelope seeds don't do barley

[veggiechicken]

I have heard that marrowfat peas from the supermarket grow well. Why not try the same with a packet of pearl barley? I haven’t tried it myself, so cannot guarantee success, but it’s surely worth a punt?

Pearl barley has been processed and the seed will have been damaged at that time, so it won't grow.
Marrowfat peas do though.

[Snadger]

The mixed corn I get from the corn market for the chooks has barley,wheat and maize in it. A local arable farmer would be your best bet methinks!

[Snadger]

If you grew Sugar beet or Stevia as well you would have all the ingredients for beer!

[Jay-ell]

Seeds of Italy do Barley Seeds
https://www.seedsofitaly.com/Barley_...5_8313362.aspx

[Kirk]

You likely need specific barley or varieties developed for brewing, then malt them and throw into the mix.
These seem to sell either the barley or maybe better the malted grains:
https://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk...raft-Beer.html

Not sure pearl barley will be suitable, did find mention of using it:
It's unmalted barley with the hulls removed and is not brewable. makes a great beef and barley soup though!

[veggiechicken]

https://www.theguardian.com/beer-for...CMP_BUNIT=labs

[Jimny14]

https://byo.com/mead/item/722-grow-your-grains

Thought this may be of interest.

[snakeshack]

Ok so I know pearl barley won't work,and malted grain has already been processed and has terminated and been stopped ( that's what malting is) ,seeds of Italy are based about a mile from me , so might give that a go.
No point in the Stevie or sugar beet though as real beer only font a ins hops yeast malted barley and water.

[Nicos]

Sorry to be a party pooper *puts on Mod hat....

In the UK it is not legal to distil alcohol without a licence from Revenue and Customs and this includes alcohol for your own consumption

https://www.brew2bottle.co.uk/spirits-at-home.html

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/spirits-duty

Growing barley however isn't illegal....so please...no more discussions about distillation gentlemen alcohol...ta .

*removes Mod hat...

[Snadger]

Sorry to be a party pooper *puts on Mod hat....

In the UK it is not legal to distil alcohol without a licence from Revenue and Customs and this includes alcohol for your own consumption

https://www.brew2bottle.co.uk/spirits-at-home.html

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/spirits-duty

Growing barley however isn't illegal....so please...no more discussions about distillation gentlemen alcohol...ta .

*removes Mod hat...

I don't think there has been any mention of distillation Nicos? Making your own wine or beer isn't illegal though as it is only a fermentation process.

[snakeshack]

I don't think there has been any mention of distillation Nicos? Making your own wine or beer isn't illegal though as it is only a fermentation process.

That's right, we're not starting a bootleg white lighting still here ,it's just beer,and some of us brew all our own ,and have been for years,it's good quality and you know what's in it,you can change the recipe to suit your own taste,and brew to the strength you like...........and from about 60 pence a pint

[Jay-ell]

Sorry about that, I think that Nicos may have seen the phrase "Single Malt" and worried as there has been in the past a few home brewing related threads that strayed across the line.