Beer Forum

This recipe calls for 1.5 oz Horizon, but I can't get that at LHBSs. One suggested Nugget and one suggested Yakima Magnum. One of the stores also can't get the 8 oz of pale chocolate malt, but suggested another 4 oz of chocolate malt.

What substitutions would be best?

I subbed Magnum for Horizon in his American Brown and it worked just fine for me. I have heard of others having success with subbing half the amount of chocolate in place of pale chocolate. It sounded like it won't be exactly the same, but will get you close enough. No personal experience though.

Magnum is a very clean bittering hop, I use it extensively for this purpose. It will sub for the horizon just fine.

I would really try to get your hands on some Pale Chocolate, that lends some unique flavors that cannot be replicated by 350-450L chocolate malt.

Thanks guys. I guess hops for this are less important to exactly match than in an IPA. Just looking for bitterness for the most part here. I'll venture to the LHBS that has pale chocolate malt.

siwelwerd wrote:Magnum is a very clean bittering hop, I use it extensively for this purpose. It will sub for the horizon just fine.

I would really try to get your hands on some Pale Chocolate, that lends some unique flavors that cannot be replicated by 350-450L chocolate malt.

+1 on this. If you REALLY want to add the subtle citrusy background bittering note, a small 45 or 30 minute addition of Cascade or Centennial (just a 1/4 oz or so) will help backfill that aspect -again, the key here is subtle. Try to make the IBUs match up by adjusting the Magnum, which is a Hallertaur derivative and that makes it mega clean and spicy. I love that hop.