30 replies to this topic

[Big Nake]

I made a beer recently (my Bordertown Dark Lager) and used about 2 ounces of debittered black malt which shows a color of 500-600L. Yesterday I picked up a pound of Midnight Wheat which shows a color of 550L. The MW has a description that says something to the effect of [I'm paraphrasing...] The smoothest source of black color without astringent flavor available today. I have not used it but plan to make another batch of this beer and use the MW instead of the DBM. How do the two compare and what should I expect?

[HVB]

MW color with no hint of roast. I still get a hint of roast from DBM .

[Big Nake]

Interesting. I'm going to use it for the first time within the next week or so.

[MtnBrewer]

My CDA (the New Years "group" brew) ought to be coming out of secondary shortly. I can give you a full review then.

[Genesee Ted]

It is very smooth. I like it quite a bit for BIPA, CDA, etc.

[Big Nake]

This is good to hear because I have experienced some very dark beers that have no roasted flavor at all. I thought they may be using sinimar (and they may be) but I really like the sound of this malt. Does anyone have a feel for how much of it to use in 5 gallons to get a dark beer? Or does anyone know how dark 2 ounces, 4 ounces, etc. would make 5 gallons? I was going to use 2 ounces of it in conjunction with 6 ounces of CaraMunich 45.

[positiveContact]

This is good to hear because I have experienced some very dark beers that have no roasted flavor at all. I thought they may be using sinimar (and they may be) but I really like the sound of this malt. Does anyone have a feel for how much of it to use in 5 gallons to get a dark beer? Or does anyone know how dark 2 ounces, 4 ounces, etc. would make 5 gallons? I was going to use 2 ounces of it in conjunction with 6 ounces of CaraMunich 45.

don't you use some brewing software of some sort? that should give you a pretty good idea.

[positiveContact]

just to be useful I'm guessing 2-4 ounces for most beers is going to do the trick unless you are really trying to make this thing black black black.

[MtnBrewer]

This is good to hear because I have experienced some very dark beers that have no roasted flavor at all. I thought they may be using sinimar (and they may be) but I really like the sound of this malt. Does anyone have a feel for how much of it to use in 5 gallons to get a dark beer? Or does anyone know how dark 2 ounces, 4 ounces, etc. would make 5 gallons? I was going to use 2 ounces of it in conjunction with 6 ounces of CaraMunich 45.

When I used it in the CDA (1 lb for 10 gallons) it didn't make it completely black, just very dark brown. So if you're going for "black as the inside of a buffalo on a moonless night" black, then use a little more than that. Maybe 0.75 for 5 gallons would be good. If you just want it really dark, then 0.5 lb. should work. I'm guessing 4-5 oz. might get you into brown ale territory.

[Big Nake]

Okay, good to know. Studs... I just enter my recipe into the calculator on Tastybrew.com which is woefully simple and old-fashioned. Many of the new grains and hops are not even in their drop-down menus so Midnight Wheat is not even available. Denny (who knows the guys that run TB.com) assures me that there's an update coming but I warned him... don't make it too complicated or I won't use it!!

[tag]

I tried some at the NHC and its taste is very mild.

[jayb151]

I know I'm off topic, but I picked up some Blackprinz Malt from Briess. I used t in a bitter and it turned out fantastic! Awesome color and just a touch of dark flavors.

[Big Nake]

I know I'm off topic, but I picked up some Blackprinz Malt from Briess. I used t in a bitter and it turned out fantastic! Awesome color and just a touch of dark flavors.

JB, the Blackprinz was right next to the Midnight Wheat at B&G in Roselle. I thought I had heard some good reviews about the MW so I chose that one.

[positiveContact]

Okay, good to know. Studs... I just enter my recipe into the calculator on Tastybrew.com which is woefully simple and old-fashioned. Many of the new grains and hops are not even in their drop-down menus so Midnight Wheat is not even available. Denny (who knows the guys that run TB.com) assures me that there's an update coming but I warned him... don't make it too complicated or I won't use it!!

just find another grain with a similar lovibond value and us that to estimate.

[Big Nake]

just find another grain with a similar lovibond value and us that to estimate.

Well, they don't have debittered black, midnight wheat or blackprinz on the site so I use "British Black Patent". I used that for the original batch and I would have to use it for the next batch so the color would be the same. The DBM is 500-600L and midnight wheat is 550L so my guess is that it will be the same. 2 ounces in 5 gallons along with some Belgian Cara45 gave me a nice color (~13 SRM) and I might just use a bit more to see how the MW works in the batch. Cheers.

[Mya]

ken you might check out the Brewtarget software that is freeware

[positiveContact]

ken you might check out the Brewtarget software that is freeware

this is when I love my spreadsheet. I can add new grains whenever I want

[MtnBrewer]

this is when I love my spreadsheet. I can add new grains whenever I want

I think any brewing software will allow you to add ingredients to the default list.

[positiveContact]

I think any brewing software will allow you to add ingredients to the default list.

woah - what is ken doing then? it's pretty easy to look up the specs.

[MtnBrewer]

woah - what is ken doing then? it's pretty easy to look up the specs.

He's using a website because he's too cheap to drop $25 on a decent brewing package.