Special B isn't the same thing as Carafa Type III, is it?

[moto748]

Cos I've been sold some Carafa III as Special B, but now I'm doubting it.

Is it anything like? Could it be substituted?

Otherwise, what could I use the Carafa III for?

TIA

 

[Sadfield]

Not really. Carafa is a dehusked roast malt, where as special b is double roasted crystal malt. Although both can be used to darken wort without adding the astringency associated with normal roasted malts. There will be some cross over in flavours. Whether one is a sub for the other depends on what you are brewing and how much you need to use.

 

[NotSure]

Otherwise, what could I use the Carafa III for?

I use it quite frequently for any beer I want dark, but not have a "dark flavour". For example, Black IPA. I find Carafa Special III to be really useful. I've used Special B too in darker beers where I want some extra body. Good stuff as well.

 

[Cestrian]

I use carafa a lot in dark lagers, shwarzbiers and cascadian type dark ales. It's used when you want a dark beer but not a lot of roasty flavour, so you can use as a replacement for black/chocolate or roast malt but not as harsh. Special B is more roasty and adds stone fruit/raisin flavours to dark beers. Not the same at all.