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Just wanted to say thanks for this brilliant little article in your Basics page. I found my way to ICB via Jims Beer Kit. This article is perfect for a new brewer like me, uncertain about the mysteries of the various malts and hops listed in recipes on the Web. Great advice to start basic and change little bits at a time. My first brew just bottled is pretty much like the one recommended except I used Challenger Hops as that was all they had in the shop! My second one used a mixture of Fuggles and Goldings so hopefully I will detect a difference. I have got myself some chocolate malt and some crushed wheat so I will play around with those, one at a time on future recipes and see if I can spot the difference!

Thanks for a nice site. <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

Well I'm glad you liked the article. People get too hung up on using published recipes. They sometimes forget that playing with malt and hops is what we should be doing.

I brew this way with every batch. Every brew I do is a chance to try something new, whether it's a new ingredient, or a slight tweak on an old recipe, I have to be learning something new.

Mind you, it's easier to get the exotic ingredients than it was when I wrote that, so there's a lot more to play around with:)

What will a bit of wheat malt do to the flavour of my beer, if nothing else changes? Say 300 or 400 g in a 5 gallon brew? Its difficult to find good info on the actual taste influences of the various malts.

Any idea? <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt="" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->

&amp;quot;farmhousekeg&amp;quot;:1slee34f wrote: What will a bit of wheat malt do to the flavour of my beer, if nothing else changes? Say 300 or 400 g in a 5 gallon brew? Its difficult to find good info on the actual taste influences of the various malts.

Any idea? <!-- s:? --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_confused.gif" alt="" title="Confused" /><!-- s:? -->[/quote:1slee34f]


I think taste can be some what personal experiences, i sometimes add a couple of hundred grams of wheat malt to bitter and I can say that I have not notice any real flavor contribution.

It would probably contribute a lot more if its was 50% of the base malt, but the flavors of Hefe's and wits are yeast derived.

Thanks Oblivious <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt="" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P --> maybe I will up the proportion of wheat to see if that makes a noticeable difference.

Just be aware that too much can cause clarity issues - which is fine in a wheat beer.