Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?  (Read 3279 times)

Offline blatz

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3513
  • Paul Blatz - Jupiter, FL
Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« on: November 10, 2010, 01:58:35 pm »
Wanted to get some impressions/input on using brown malt in an Am Amber Ale.

I have a bunch and was looking to use some up, while also revisiting a style I haven't made much of lately.

Recipe's at home, but off the top of my head:

12 gal/1.056/35IBUs

18lbs Pale Malt
2lbs Caramunich II
1lbs Crystal 20
2lbs Munich I
2lbs Brown

Columbus for bittering
1.5 oz each of Simcoe/Amarillo at 20, 10 and Flameout.

WL051 Cali V

I'd like to get rich maltiness that finishes with  the toasty, biscuit slightly drying notes of brown malt, but I don't want to end up with a beer that's a tweener between AAA and ABA.

Any thoughts out there, or shall I brew it to find out?
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

BJCP National: F0281

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27093
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2010, 03:24:17 pm »
Boy, Paul, I dunno...my first thought is that it's too much brown, but it's only a WAG.  You may have to be the guinea pig on this one and let us know.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline bluesman

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8825
  • Delaware
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #2 on: November 10, 2010, 03:31:52 pm »
That's an interesting grain bill.  I like the looks of it but am slightly concerned about the amount of BM. Although, I don't want to sway your thinking based on a hunch. If you feel like it will work then go for it...after all, we are homebrewers and sometimes we have to go out on a limb to learn and maybe this is one that will turn out great.  8)
Ron Price

Offline blatz

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3513
  • Paul Blatz - Jupiter, FL
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #3 on: November 10, 2010, 03:52:57 pm »
I should clarify that it is briess carabrown that is reportedly on the lighter side of brown malt.
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

BJCP National: F0281

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27093
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #4 on: November 10, 2010, 04:12:43 pm »
Do it, Paul!  I'm more than willing to possibly sacrifice your beer in the name of science!   ;D
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline blatz

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3513
  • Paul Blatz - Jupiter, FL
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2010, 09:52:43 am »
brewing this recipe this weekend, starting to get cold feet on the carabrown - any last thoughts before brewday??
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

BJCP National: F0281

Offline richardt

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1227
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2010, 10:03:14 am »
What does the calculator (e.g., beersmith) say the SRM's will be if you use the full 2 lbs of CaraBrown along with the other grains?

Offline blatz

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3513
  • Paul Blatz - Jupiter, FL
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #7 on: November 24, 2010, 10:05:39 am »
14.7 SRM
The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

BJCP National: F0281

Offline richardt

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1227
Re: Brown Malt...Amber Ale?
« Reply #8 on: November 24, 2010, 04:23:50 pm »
Should be OK.  Guidelines say 10-17.  Go for it. 

I'm in a similar situation with trying out a recipe to use up some crisp amber (5 lbs), crisp brown (1 lb) and crisp kiln coffee (1 lb).