Cara-aroma ; Weyermanns

[Davvy]

Hi there,
My next brew will be a "Strong bitter" and in my store cupboard I have some Weymermanns Cara-aroma aromatic malt (400 ebc).

Has anyone used it before ? - and what overall impressions do you have in flavour ?

My last Bitter used this aromatic malt , some Dark crystal, and Best Special X 500g Crushed (BESTMALZ) @ 300 EBC.
One of the dominant flavours was stewed dark fruit (raisins, prunes, etc) thich I put down to being from the "Best special X" - I was not overly happy with this style, so really do not want to repeat.

I really want to enhance "maltiness" and from that the supplier has on their website - the aromatic malt is meant to do this, but...If you have tried and have found out for yourself please let me know...

All the best,
David.

 

[The Baron]

you are correct about the Best Special X 500 it gives a raisin fruity flavour as per old english ales. Dark crystal may give a burnt bitter caramel taste I think depending on how dark it is but no expert on that one. Never used the Cara but I am sure somebody will pipe up who as

 

[Oneflewover]

A good splodge of Munich malt? I used, from memory, about 20% in a recent pale ale and thought it really lent a great malt flavour. Other thing I would say is don't underestimate what impact yeast choice will have. In the above beer I used wyeast London ale 3 and loved it. Good luck.

 

[An Ankoù]

So impressed with Bestmalz Red-X that I've just taken delivery of some of their Special-X to see what it's like. Expecting Christmas pudding, but until I've tried it I won't know how best to use it.
As for Cara aroma, I think you're going to have to tell us about it when the deed's done. Oneflower's right about the yeast, though.

 

[The Baron]

Hi AA as I said I have used it several times and it will do as you have said I used it in a hob goblin style recipe ale with a little cascade on top of the normal hob goblin hops withSpecial X and it was like a winter warmer/raisin/christmas pud taste ale. Don;t think you will be disappointed

 

[Clint]

Dunno if it's the same without rummaging through my brew box but I used some aromatic malt in my latest AIPA....very tasty it is too.

 

[Sandimas]

How much aromatic malt do you guys use - 5% or so? Thinking of giving it a go but don't want to over-do it.

 

[Davvy]

Thanks for all the replies....
I usually do add Light Munich to many of my brews as I do love maltiness, so a small amount of Cara aroma hopefully will not give an overly dominant note (100 gram in 4kg)...

All the best,
David.

 

[Zephyr259]

I've used CaraAroma in an old ale and a Bock, the old ale has too complex a grist to know what that malt contributed and the Bock got infected (pediococcus) so haven't tasted it to see if it recovers. It should be like other extra dark crystals, dark slightly burnt caramels and some dark fruits.