MMC (Malteurop Malting Company) prides itself not only on supplying quality malts to craft brewers and distillers, but also in pushing the envelope. Inspired by the brewers and distillers that drive change in the industry, MMC is constantly developing new malts to help them realize their dreams… malts like Crystal Wheat 3L.

 

By: Living a Stout Life

 

Draught Works takes Crystal Wheat on its First Time Out

MMC recently released one of its most unique offerings to date: Crystal Wheat 3L. But these creative new malts wouldn’t happen without the help of their brewer partners.

 

In the case of Crystal Wheat 3L, it took the real-world trials of brewers like Kyle Sillars and his crew at Draught Works Brewery in Missoula, Montana, to fine tune what the final specs of the malt should be.

 

When MMC Mountain Craft Sales Manager Dustin Craft came calling with a Crystal Wheat 5L, Sillars was all in. He immediately put the malt to the test in a juicy/hazy IPA brewed in a collaborative effort between Draught Works, MMC, and Hollingbery and Son Hops. It was the first gathering of this sort since the COVID-19 crisis began for all of the parties involved, so they dubbed the beer “First Time Out.”

 

Though the finished brew was a bit darker than anticipated, Sillars said it actually made for a “pretty and distinct” IPA compared to their other offerings, which he liked. Wanting its Crystal Wheat to provide just a touch of color, MMC used Sillars’ feedback, along with other brewer partners, to release Crystal Wheat at 3 lovibond as its final product, providing a unique, low color crystal wheat that brings a lightly sweet character.

 

“It had this nice honey-like quality. I’m gonna give it a light, sweet crystal quality, but not cloying at all. This gave it a sweet backbone to support the hops, the impression of sweetness… and more body for sure,” said Sillars.

 

Draught Works fans appeared to like the beer as much as or even more so than the head brewer.

 

It was really well received in the taproom. As Sillars said, “It sold great in the taproom. We were seeing it in the top couple beers (amongst 20-plus taps!!!) consistently over a long period of time, which shows it hit a sweet spot.” Was that a pun right there?!

 

Pun or not, Sillars was impressed with MMC’s Crystal Wheat and would like to apply it to other Draught Works brews. One other brewer partner, Launch Pad Brewing out of Aurora, Colorado, revamped its Hefeweizen using Crystal Wheat 3L. Sillars has some similar ideas, wanting to use it in other styles outside the hop dominant realm.

 

“I think it can be layered into a lot of recipes with a very pleasant outcome. I can definitely see Crystal Wheat 3L as being an exciting product to try to blend or push style boundaries. I think you could do some cool, unique projects with it.”

 

Crystal Wheat 3L is revolutionizing Hazy IPAs by adding a haze that is more translucent, not the traditional milky haze of traditional wheat. But that same translucent quality, in addition to its sweet character, light color, improved head retention, and increased mouthfeel, opens Crystal Wheat 3L up to any number of applications in the brewhouse.

Draught Works Brewery ‘First Time Out’ Juicy/Hazy IPA

 

Grist

64% MMC French Pilsen

17% MMC Crystal Wheat 3L

15% Flaked Oats

4% MMC Dextrin

 

Hops

~30 IBU

50% Idaho 7 (Primary Hop)

25% Azacca (Secondary Hop #1)

25% Cashmere (Secondary Hop #2)

There were no early bittering additions. According to Sillars: “Idaho 7 was used as the predominant (2:1) hop to highlight it as the ‘rockstar,’ while the Azacca and Cashmere were used at a lesser rate to support the Idaho 7. We used these hops at five different intervals: 5 minutes left in the boil, whirlpool (after cooling the wort to 180° F), Hopflash (added to fermenter prior to knockout), active fermentation dry hop (day 2), and at the tail end of primary fermentation dry hop (day 4).

 

Yeast

Kveik Yeast

Knocked out at 91°F and let it free rise to 95°F. It took about 8 days to fully attenuate. You could of course do something similar, but substitute your favorite Pale or IPA yeast at a lower temperature.

Draught Works Brewery continues to build on its decade-long reputation of excellence

Draught Works was founded by Jeff Grant and Paul Marshall, two Montana guys looking to make great Montana beer. They quickly exploded into a favorite of Missoula craft beer drinkers, but it wasn’t long before they got noticed nationwide. Draught Works was named the 2014 Very Small Brewing Company of the Year at that year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver.

 

That’s due in no small part to Jeff and Paul building an excellent team and letting them do their jobs well. Sillars says that they have a tremendous staff everywhere from the front of the house to the brewhouse and everywhere in between.

 

“Whatever we can dream up, they’ll let us brew,” Sillars said. “It’s a fun brewery to work for. We’re proud of tiptoeing that line between production brewery and experimental brewery all in one.”

 

Draught Works is known for one of the best outdoor patios in Montana, if not the country. They’re also known for their hop forward beauties (like their flagship Scepter IPA) and a blossoming portfolio of sours.

 

With a rock star team in place and a rock solid reputation, Draught Works continues to be a must-stop brewery when you’re anywhere near Western Montana.