Beer Forum

Sorry if its been covered..... I have a hopefully quick question.


I am sitting here working a recipe from CYBI Ballast point Calico and wondered...


I dunno if I know what Carastan is... can anyone explain?

I googled and came up with a small number crystal as a replacement.


If the local joint doesn't have carastan is a like C10 in the same amount a good substitute?

If you can give me a proper geek process on how its malted I will donate $20 to the brewing network.

Here's the slightly geeky response. Hopefully it's close enough for the donation...

Carastan(tm): The germinating malt is stewed to break down starches and proteins and then is roasted at temperatures of 302 °F (150 °C) for varying periods of time until the liquid interior sets to a hard caramel-like mass. The result is a pale, brown-colored malt with a caramel/toffee-like flavor.

http://www.brewingtechniques.com/bmg/hugh.html

Carastan is a Hugh Baird & Sons malt, so it's basically an English crystal malt. English crystal does have a different flavor than American crystal. You might get close with a lighter American crystal, but it probably won't be quite the same.

From what I have read it is simply Hugh Baird's version of a 30-37L crystal. So it is just the process of stewing the malted barley and then kilning it to take the converted sugars now in the malt to various levels of caramelization, a function of time and temp.

Does J get 20 now?

Mills

Any crystal from an English maltster around 30 L is an okay substitute. Continental and domestic cara/crystal have a different character.

any idea as to what it adds?

Here is where i am at... If the local joint doesnt have it... will I get close?

Prepare Ingredients for Mash
Amount Item Type
10.32 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM) Grain
1.72 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 80L (80.0 SRM) Grain
0.93 lb Caramel/Crystal Malt - 30L (30.0 SRM) Grain
0.62 lb Cara-Pils/Dextrine (2.0 SRM)

A domestic C30 will be fine, it will not be an identical flavor but it will get you in the area. Go for it.

Mills

Meh read again... I should prolly order it I am guessing.

I should go for an english malt around 30 if they have it?



cheers... donation made!