Spelt Malt

[MAF]

Has anyone used Spelt Malt at all?
I got some and am thinking of making a saison with it; Thinkin along the lines of 50% spelt, with the other 50% made up of Pils/Vienna/Pale Malt - not decided on quantities yet.
Any tips or pointers on using it much appreciated.

[Invalid Stout]

I've never even heard of spelt being used in beer, so let us know how it turns out.

[MAF]

Saison d'Epeautre contains a good bit of spelt, and I think a few other beers from Holland & France use it too. There doesn't seem to be a huge amount of info about its use on the net; I presume it's much the same as wheat malt.
Also, does anyone know if whole spelt malt is hard to crush (like wheat malt)? The stuff I got is crushed, but just wondering for future reference..

Edit: Invalid Stout, will post up my recipe when I figure it out!

[Fuggled Mind]

I presume it's much the same as wheat malt.

Spelt is known as dinkel in Germany and Switzerland. I've tried two dinkel beers and they were both very similar to wheat beers. I presume you can use it as you would wheat

Cheers

Jason

[Rookie]

Isn't spelt a type of wheat?

[Fuggled Mind]

Isn't spelt a type of wheat?

Yes it's an ancient variety and probably what the Romans and the likes would have used to make bread. Seems to be making quite a comeback now with those who like organic food and/or may have special diets. Could be wrong but I think it doesn't cause half the intolerances that many people have with regular wheat.

Cheers

Jason

[MAF]

Cheers Jason, had never heard of 'dinkel' before; must keep an eye out for it if ever over that way again. Spelt is indeed making a big comeback. Health food shops stock lots of spelt products, but spelt bread is now regularly available in many shops/supermarkets. I also use spelt flour for making pizza bases, very tasty!
Looking forward to trying it in a brew, prob going to be a Wit of sorts with 50% Spelt 40% Pils 10% Vienna or Munich.

[lancsSteve]

Malt Miller has unmalted spelt - used in Saisons (as metnioned above) and some other brews. There's a UK brewer (Spitting Feathers) who do a 'Roman Ale' with Spelt in it http://spittingfeath.users55.donhost.co ... e-ales.htm

EDIT: ROb now has malted spelt in I believe