Barley varieties taste in beer

A lot of work has been done on the taste effects of different hops in beer. Now the University of California is doing research on barley varieties and taste in beer. Can you taste barley varieties in beer?

Several varieties of malting barley were grown by a Woodland farmer in the same field, under the same conditions, then brewed with the same recipe by YOLO brewing company.

The taste test is part of the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Malt Project evaluating malting barley's potential as new crop in California. Mathesius is also studying whether barley can be grown well in California and which varieties perform best for growers, maltsters and brewers.

Barley for livestock feed is grown fairly widely in California, so the prospects for growing malting barley are pretty good.

Curious that "The taste test is part of the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Malt Project evaluating malting barley's potential as new crop in California", since California already grows barley for malting, and has a few of its own maltsters.

A related experiment compared premium, floor-malted Maris Otter with domestic two row barley malts. Basic conclusion was that some could taste a subtle difference, but preference for one over the other was mixed.

Obviously, in beers, hops and yeasts lead to far more variety in beer flavors than different malts do.

Still, when I'm brewing an everyday beer, or one that's destined for other strong flavors, I'll reach for the basic two-row. If I'm making a more subtle beer, I'll reach for the Maris Otter.