Crystal 80

[Dmac08]

Would it be fair to say that you could sub for crystal 80 with equal parts crystal 40 and crystal 120?

1lb C-80 = .5lbs C-40 and .5 lbs C-120?

[captain carrot]

I'm not even sure you would get the color you want but the flavors are very different. Check out this link to the Briess website. It describes the flavors of the different caramel malts. http://www.brewingwithbriess.com/Produc ... ts.htm#40L

[Oktober]

No - combining different Crystal malt may average out from a coloring perspective, but each malt has different, almost unique flavor profiles that can't been achieved by "averaging" or combining a lower and higher Crystal. Jamil talks about it in several of his shows - if you mix them, you will get both the light caramel and the dark flavor caramel flavors in the beer...not a medium caramel. The flavor perception of each is distiguishable.

If you can't find Crystal 80, or need it fast, you can always toast your Crystal 40 in the oven (see Randy Mosher's book for guidance). It won't be the most accurate way, but it certainly is doable - plus its another step in the process you can experiment with.

Best of luck!

-Okt

[Bugeater]

I sometimes do this type of combination, not as a direct substitute, but to get a flavor complexity you can't get any other way. The 120 crystal will give a slight raisiny flavor that the crystal 80 won't have.

Wayne

[BDawg]

I sometimes do this type of combination, not as a direct substitute, but to get a flavor complexity you can't get any other way. The 120 crystal will give a slight raisiny flavor that the crystal 80 won't have.

Wayne

+1

[Dmac08]

Well, I went ahead and ordered some 80. But this thread got me thinking. I think I might do two 6 gallon batches one with 80 and one with 40/120 mix. It will be some extra work but I think it will fun to compare the two and really taste the different flavors taht each provides. Thanks for all the input.