[erockrph]

My vote was for Golden Promise. I just brewed a SMaSH amber using 100% Golden Promise, some of it being homemade crystal malt made from GP. I wish I could tell you if it was any good, but the keg kicked in record time at my 6-year old's birthday party lol.

Out of curiosity what were the hops and yeast?

For a 3-gallon batch: 40 IBU of Magnum at 60 minutes and 1 oz of Caliente whirlpooled for about 40 minutes at 120F. US-05 yeast.

On a side note - I had estimated my homemade Crystal to be somewhere between C40 and C60, but the beer came out way darker and toasty/caramelly than I had anticipated. It was probably more like C80 crossed with Special Roast. The sediment-loaded first sample was "just OK" to me, but the keg kicked in no time and I got rave reviews from all the parents. They also kicked the keg of NE IPA that was clearly labeled "very bitter" and never really dropped the harsh over-dryhopped "raw hop" character that I was waiting to fade. In the end it was a win-win - the parents loved it and I freed up two kegs of beer I didn't really want to drink a full keg of.

[denny]

Couple quick comments.....

unless you start with green, unkilned malt, you're not really making crystal malt at home.

For my own tastes, a 100% base malt APA, no matter what kind of malt, turns out kinda boring.  I prefer the depth of flavor from a blend of malts.  If you're concerned about crystal hiding too much flavor, try the new Great Western Sacchra malts.  Kinda like a cross between crystal and Munich.

[Iliff Ave]

For my own tastes, a 100% base malt APA, no matter what kind of malt, turns out kinda boring.  I prefer the depth of flavor from a blend of malts.  If you're concerned about crystal hiding too much flavor, try the new Great Western Sacchra malts.  Kinda like a cross between crystal and Munich.

I don't think I can get great western from my LHBS. I have been considering trying Patagonia crystal which they do carry after hearing good things.

I think this go around I will just stick with base malt since it will be a hop forward APA. In future iterations, I will likely add some crystal back.

[HoosierBrew]

Couple quick comments.....

unless you start with green, unkilned malt, you're not really making crystal malt at home.

For my own tastes, a 100% base malt APA, no matter what kind of malt, turns out kinda boring.  I prefer the depth of flavor from a blend of malts.  If you're concerned about crystal hiding too much flavor, try the new Great Western Sacchra malts.  Kinda like a cross between crystal and Munich.

Those sound like nice malts. I'll be looking for them.

[denny]

Couple quick comments.....

unless you start with green, unkilned malt, you're not really making crystal malt at home.

For my own tastes, a 100% base malt APA, no matter what kind of malt, turns out kinda boring.  I prefer the depth of flavor from a blend of malts.  If you're concerned about crystal hiding too much flavor, try the new Great Western Sacchra malts.  Kinda like a cross between crystal and Munich.

Those sound like nice malts. I'll be looking for them.

https://shop.brewcraftusa.com/en/new-from-great-western-malting/great-western-sacchra-50-carmel-malt-50l-50lb-bag-gw-sacchra

[69franx]

Denny, that does sound like an awesome malt to experiment with

[HoosierBrew]

Couple quick comments.....

unless you start with green, unkilned malt, you're not really making crystal malt at home.

For my own tastes, a 100% base malt APA, no matter what kind of malt, turns out kinda boring.  I prefer the depth of flavor from a blend of malts.  If you're concerned about crystal hiding too much flavor, try the new Great Western Sacchra malts.  Kinda like a cross between crystal and Munich.

Those sound like nice malts. I'll be looking for them.

https://shop.brewcraftusa.com/en/new-from-great-western-malting/great-western-sacchra-50-carmel-malt-50l-50lb-bag-gw-sacchra

Thanks, Denny!  This sounds like it could be a good one.

[Iliff Ave]

Golden Promise is the winner. Thanks! Hoping to brew this weekend or next.

[JJeffers09]

to me it won't turn out any more complex than and English golden ale 12A

[hopfenundmalz]

to me it won't turn out any more complex than and English golden ale 12A

I really like some of those.

[Iliff Ave]

to me it won't turn out any more complex than and English golden ale 12A

Never had one. You tell me. APA or EGA? Malt complexity is not the goal here.

1.057
50 IBUs
100% GP
K97 yeast
~5.9% ABV
bravo - bittering 50 IBUs
comet, cascade, ahtanum - flameout
comet, cascade, ahtanum - dry hop