What’s So Special About Carafa Special?! A Brewing Experiment
Carafa Special 3: Experimenting with the Perfect Dark Malt
If you’ve ever brewed a dark beer that turned out bitter or overly harsh, you’re not alone. But what if there was a way to get all the rich roasted flavors without the unwanted bite? Enter Carafa Special 3—a huskless roasted malt that’s perfect for brewing smooth, flavorful dark beers. In this blog post, we’ll dive into a split-batch experiment to explore how this malt transforms your brew.
The Brewing Experiment
This experiment explored how Carafa Special 3 affects the flavor, color, and overall character of a beer. To do this, a single wort was divided into three parts:
- Altbier Base: One portion was pitched with Angel Yeast AO1, resulting in a classic Altbier.
- Lager 1 (Control): The second portion was fermented with Angel Yeast BF27 Lager Yeast, with no additional ingredients.
- Lager 2 (Carafa Addition): The third portion was also fermented with Angel Yeast BF27 but had an additional concentrated wort made from Carafa Special 3.
Incorporating Carafa Special 3
For the Carafa-enhanced lager, a special wort was prepared by hot-steeping Carafa Special 3 and boiling it into a syrup. This method extracted smooth roasted flavors and a rich dark color without any bitterness. The syrup was then added to the third portion of the split batch during fermentation.
Results of the Experiment
Visual Differences
The control lager and the Carafa-enhanced lager looked strikingly different. The control was a light amber color, while the Carafa lager boasted a deep, dark hue perfect for styles like Schwarzbier or black lagers.
Tasting Notes
- Lager 1 (Control):
Malty and crisp with a clean lager character. Its light body and amber color made it an easy-drinking option for those who prefer a more traditional lager profile. - Lager 2 (Carafa Addition):
The Carafa Special 3 addition introduced smooth roasted flavors with notes of toasted bread and subtle chocolate. It was fuller-bodied and had a robust complexity that set it apart.
Brewing Tips for Using Carafa Special 3
Here are some key tips for getting the most out of Carafa Special 3 in your brews:
- Keep It Subtle: Even small amounts of Carafa Special 3, like the ~4% used in this experiment, deliver significant flavor and color impact without overwhelming the beer.
- Fine Crush for Full Extraction: Don’t hesitate to fine-crush your dark grains. I use a coffee grinder to grind them into a fine powder, which helps extract the most flavor and color.
- Versatility in Styles: Carafa Special 3 is incredibly versatile. While it shined in this lager experiment, it’s equally suited for Altbier, Schwarzbier, stouts, and black lagers.
- Timing in the Mash:
Carafa Special 3 doesn’t require full mashing (like all roasted grains), so you can add it whenever you like without worrying about starch conversion. Plus, because it doesn’t bring the bitterness or harshness associated with more common dark grains, you don’t have to be overly cautious about when to add it. However, adding it later in the mash can help you avoid any lingering bitterness altogether. - Speeds Up Brewing: One of the best benefits of Carafa Special 3 is that it speeds up the brewing process. Because it’s so smooth and free from bitterness, you won’t need to wait for your beer to mellow out as you might with improper brewing methods or harsher roasted malts.
Special Thanks to Angel Yeast
This experiment was made possible thanks to Angel Yeast, who kindly sponsored this video. Their high-quality brewing products, like the AO1 Ale Yeast and BF27 Lager Yeast used in this experiment, are trusted by brewers around the world.
Explore Angel Yeast Brewing Products Here
Watch the Video and Download the Recipe
Want to see the full brewing process and results? Watch the video below to follow the experiment step by step and learn more about Carafa Special 3. Plus, download the recipe to try it yourself!
- 📽️ Grain to Glass Video: Watch it here
- 📜 Recipe for the Beer with Carafa Malt: Download here
- 🍺 Recipe for the Fresh Hopped Zwickelbier: Download here
Conclusion
Carafa Special 3 is a game-changer for homebrewers looking to brew dark beers with rich, smooth flavors. Whether you’re brewing a Schwarzbier, a black lager, or experimenting like we did, this huskless malt is your secret weapon for avoiding harsh bitterness.
Have you brewed with Carafa Special 3 before? Share your experience in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more brewing experiments and tips.
Happy brewing, and cheers! 🍻
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