![]() ![]() In both cases, after kilning, the grains are then milled into smaller pieces before being mixed with water (for brewing) or grain spirits (for distilling). This process is called "kilning." This is what gives the grains their color and flavor. Whiskey begins with a fermented mash of malted barley, corn, wheat, and rye.īoth grains are generally malted to make into a signature brew or distillate, which means that they're soaked in water to start germination before being dried in a kiln. Beer is made by fermenting malted barley, hops, and yeast, then adding water. The difference is that whiskey is distilled and beer isn't. Beers, made in breweries, and whiskey, made in distilleries, are both made from grains. ![]() Yet these are very different industries with different methods. What Is the Difference between Grain-To-Glass Beer and Whiskey?īrewery and distillery are terms often used interchangeably. It’s all well and good talking about grain-to-glass, but what does it actually mean? To put it simply, grain-to-glass is a term used among distillers and brewers to indicate their involvement in the entire process beginning from grain cultivation, fermentation and distillation, with the grains being used as main ingredients in their spirits. In promoting the cultivation of these heirloom grain varieties, the Texas food system is also sure to benefit from an increasingly diverse corn supply. The growing popularity of heirloom grains is also said to have a positive impact on the environment, as it helps to shrink the cultivation of dent corn grains, with environmentally-centered cultivation practices being encouraged. The demand for heirloom grain-to-glass is slowly rising, meaning there’s an expanding opportunity for farmers to grow specific corn varieties to cater to this niche whiskey market. This means many distilleries grow the varieties themselves on their own farms or arrange for farmers to grow these grains in exchange for buying all of their harvest. However, as more and more people start to get involved in whiskey production, the growth of the heirloom grain-to-glass market is imminent.Īdmittedly, there are only a limited number of farmers who cultivate the heirloom grains needed for whiskey making. And in the distillation process, it ferments much better than other less common varieties. Yellow dent, the most common variety used by distillers, is particularly enticing for farmers because of its high yield. In the past, farmers have tended to shy away from growing heirloom grains because of how low their yields are. Well, when it comes to farming, it’s all about yield. ![]() The question is, if they’re really that good, then why aren’t more farmers growing these grains and more stills distilling these whiskies? The heirloom corn grain varieties Bloody Butcher, Tennessee Red Cob, and Massey are known to have particularly intriguing tastes. And most importantly for us, they make damn good whiskies as they have uniquely delicious flavor profiles. Heirloom grains are varieties of cultivated grain crops that are endemic in origin. What are Heirloom Grains and Why are They Popular Only Now? However, I soon realized that in order to learn about heirloom grains, we need to look into the past to see where we parted ways in using them for our Texas whiskies. So, what’s all the hubbub about these heirloom grains? To be honest, I also wasn’t too sure before I started doing my research. Doing so brings out new and interesting flavors that harken back to the whiskies made in the golden age of saloons. Recently, numerous Texas distillers have started incorporating heirloom grains into their “mash”. These historical leaps and bounds have over time translated into some seriously big-flavored Texas whiskeys. I’ve long been fascinated about the history of distilleries (both legal and not!) in the Lone Star State and the ingenious methods used to convert grain to glass during the Prohibition Era. Texas whiskey has always had a special place in my heart.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |