[phillamb168]

I asked my local maltster about what he might have that's an equivalent to CaraPils. I told him it's for head retention and is also called Dextrine malt. He sent me two data sheets, and I'm not sure either will be applicable:

Caramel Wheat Malt, 90-110 EBC, Product obtained by custom malting, saccharification and roasting of specially selected wheat, to develop the aroma and colour required.
- Strongly accentuates aroma, thus giving beer a typical taste.
- Reinforces the colour of the beer.
- Enhances foam stability.
- Increases extract and thus brewing yields.
- Colour : 90 to 110 EBC (equiv. 34 to 42 degrees Lovibond).
- Moisture : 7% maximum.
- Extract : minimum 78% on dry matter.

OR

Pilsen Caramel
Product obtained by custom malting, saccharification and roasting of specially selected barley, to develop the aroma and colour required.
- Gives beer mild flavours and a pleasant, subtle taste.
- Improves the smoothness and stability of beer.
- Slightly reinforces the colour of beer.
- Colour : 20 to 30 EBC (equiv. 8 to 12 degrees Lovibond).
- Moisture : 7.5% maximum.
- Extract : minimum 75% (dry matter).


... But neither of these seem like exactly what I'm going for. I suppose I could go the caramel wheat route, which sounds interesting on its own, but that 30-45 L coloration makes me wonder about what contribution it would have (8 oz per 5 gal)

[majorvices]

Obviously it is not Caramel Wheat, but I'd be willing to bet "Pilsner Caramel" is another maltster's version of CaraPils.

[blatz]

but I'd be willing to bet "Pilsner Caramel" is another maltster's version of CaraPils.

I dunno Keith - 8-12L seems more like "Carahell" than Carapils/Carafoam/Dextrin which are 2-3L.

if that's the closest thing you can get, Phil, go with it, but its likely to contribute a bit of caramel sweetness

[hamiltont]

A local microbrewer uses wheat for head retention. I never tried it so I can't say how it compares to Cara-Pils. Just a thought anyway...  Cheers!!!

[majorvices]

but I'd be willing to bet "Pilsner Caramel" is another maltster's version of CaraPils.

I dunno Keith - 8-12L seems more like "Carahell" than Carapils/Carafoam/Dextrin which are 2-3L.

if that's the closest thing you can get, Phil, go with it, but its likely to contribute a bit of caramel sweetness

Yeah, you're right. I read that before my first cup of coffee today, missed the 8-12L.

[skyler]

I believe Munton's Dextrin Malt is 8-12 L. I think European CaraPils is just a tad darker than the US variety.

[Hokerer]

A local microbrewer uses wheat for head retention. I never tried it so I can't say how it compares to Cara-Pils. Just a thought anyway...  Cheers!!!

+1.  Lots of folks use plain ole wheat malt for head retention instead of carapils.

The other thing you might want to think about is just why are you using anything special for head retention.  If all your processes are in line then your head retention and stability should be just fine without needing to add anything.

[blatz]

FWIW - Carapils & Carafoam do contribute some flavor to the beer - the main difference between my pils and dortmunder grists are 8% Carafoam - and I can definitely taste a difference in the malt character and mouthfeel.

I know the OP was looking to use it as head retention aid, but just wanted to clarify that it isn't entirely flavourless.

[denny]

If you make the beer properly, you don't need either wheat or carapils for head retention.  Look at Duvel....most of us can only dream of getting foam like that, and it's only pils malt and sugar.

[dmtaylor]

Carapils needs to die.  I just gave all of mine away.  I shall never use it again because it is worthless compared to every other malt choice on the market.

[majorvices]

Have to say I kinda agree with Dave. I have not used it in years (I think the last time I used it was 7 years ago in a Pliny the Elder Clone, where I felt it was kind of a pointless addition even back then). I have no plans to ever use it in anything.

[phillamb168]

Ah, re my reason for using it, it's in the recipe! Specifically Bell's THA clone. So, I don't really care too much about head retention, I haven't had much of a problem in that area (that's what she said?) but I'm not sure why it's in their recipe to begin with.  Sounds like there's no reason to use it then? I don't mind ditching it.

[denny]

Brew a test batch without it and see what you think.

[blatz]

Ah, re my reason for using it, it's in the recipe! Specifically Bell's THA clone. So, I don't really care too much about head retention, I haven't had much of a problem in that area (that's what she said?) but I'm not sure why it's in their recipe to begin with.  Sounds like there's no reason to use it then? I don't mind ditching it.

who's recipe?  Sean Terrill's recipe is pretty close and he doesn't use Carapils.  IIRC, nor does Bell's in THA for that matter.  Probably won't be missed.

for all the naysayers to Carapils, there are a lot of pros (Sierra Nevada comes to mind) that use it, so I doubt your recommendation that it die will be heeded since the maltsters aren't really reliant on the 0.0000000001% of their production that we buy

[denny]

I th8ink carapils has its place.  But I also think adding it solely for foam isn't its place.