Whilst at Beer Nouveau we picked up our ‘Will it Brew?’ ingredient. Each year the Manchester Homebrew Group issue a challenge; everyone brings in an ingredient (must not be dangerous to humans or yeast) and they’re distributed at random between the group. Obviously you don’t get to brew what you brought. We took potatoes and came away with Grits.
Not knowing what Grits were we had to look them up. Essentially they’re flaked corn, an American thing. Specifically Homity Quick Grits which means the corn was treated and they’re pre-cooked. Corn is very commonly used as an adjunct in brewing, normally to increase the gravity and lower the colour. Thus they’re popular with lager brewers like Millers.
As yet we’re not sure how we’re going to brew with them.