Maris Otter
The classic British pale ale malt.
What it tastes like
Maris Otter is the malt that defines English bitter, ESB, and best bitter — and a popular alternative to American 2-Row in any US craft beer that wants a bigger malt presence. Bigger biscuit, bigger nut, more residual sweetness, with the soft 'Englishness' that can't be replicated by American pale malt. Lower yield than modern industrial barleys, which is why it's a bit more expensive and reserved for serious brewers.
Best in these styles
For brewers — technical profile
Where to source
Maltsters that produce or distribute this grain:
History
Maris Otter is a 1965 cross of Proctor and Pioneer barleys, developed at the Plant Breeding Institute in Cambridge. Its name comes from the lab address (Maris Lane) and Otter, the female line. Its lower yield meant it was nearly abandoned commercially in the 1980s-90s, but a small group of UK maltsters and brewers kept it going. It's now grown specifically for craft brewing on dedicated contracts.