What is Special Roast?

[bigdave]

Ive found a recipe I quite like the look of but as I'd not heard of some of the ingredients Ive been checking how readily available they are. Most of them seem to be fairly common but I cant find 'Special Roast (50.0 SRM)' Anyone know what it is and how easy it is to get hold of? If its an obscure grain that I'm unlikely to find in this country is there something I could replace it with?

I dont know if it matters but here's the recipe:

[steve_flack]

It's an American malt (made by Briess IIRC). It's not available in the UK. Amber malt has been suggested (by Jamil Z) as a not-really-the-same substitute.

It's probably the most annoying of the American grains to sub as it's quite common.

[bigdave]

Thanks.

Does that sound like an ok recipe for AG#1? I like my IPA's and it seems fairly straight forward (all be it in american measurements).

[boingy]

It's very strong (1.091!) and I'm not sure what the point of the 45 minute hop addition is but yes, as a first AG it will probably be fine. At least if your efficiency is down you'll still end up with a strong one!

[steve_flack]

When you say you like your IPAs do you mean American IPAs or British GK IPA stuff? The recipe is for a seriously bitterbeer. It uses Chinook which can be a little rough - even in an American IPA. It looks like it would turn out more like Arrogant Bastard than an IPA. I personally would increase the dry hop amount as it's quite small for this sort of beer.

[bigdave]

Is a 45min mash not a rather short one? I thought that generally speaking 60-90 min is the norm. Is there anything to be gained buy increasing the recipes mash time?

[smdjoachim]

It's an American malt (made by Briess IIRC). It's not available in the UK. Amber malt has been suggested (by Jamil Z) as a not-really-the-same substitute.

It's probably the most annoying of the American grains to sub as it's quite common.

not to contradict you Steve but try here

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/index.php ... re=default

[Wolfy]

Brown Malt (50L) and/or a mix of Amber and Light Chocolate Malt have been suggested as possible substitutions for JZ's 'special roast'.

[boingy]

It's an American malt (made by Briess IIRC). It's not available in the UK. Amber malt has been suggested (by Jamil Z) as a not-really-the-same substitute.

It's probably the most annoying of the American grains to sub as it's quite common.

not to contradict you Steve but try here

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/index.php ... re=default

That link is to "Special B" rather than "Special Roast". The recipe includes both. I was a bit confused too, because the recipe shows Special B as the highlighted one.

[smdjoachim]

smdjoachim wrote:

It's an American malt (made by Briess IIRC). It's not available in the UK. Amber malt has been suggested (by Jamil Z) as a not-really-the-same substitute.

It's probably the most annoying of the American grains to sub as it's quite common.


not to contradict you Steve but try here

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/index.php ... re=default



That link is to "Special B" rather than "Special Roast". The recipe includes both. I was a bit confused too, because the recipe shows Special B as the highlighted one.

need to put my glasses on

[bigdave]

When you say you like your IPAs do you mean American IPAs or British GK IPA stuff? The recipe is for a seriously bitterbeer. It uses Chinook which can be a little rough - even in an American IPA. It looks like it would turn out more like Arrogant Bastard than an IPA. I personally would increase the dry hop amount as it's quite small for this sort of beer.

One of my favorite beers is Punk IPA and the other is Copper Dragon Challenger IPA so I guess Im happy with either the traditional IPA taste or the Modern american face slapping stuff.

I think Ive kinda ruled this recipe out for AG#1 as if it goes wrong it'll be an expensive mistake!

[Spud395]

Think you're right on that one Dave, I went for a nice simple 5.5% Stout.
3 Grains, 1 hop, no messing.
If anything it was to easy, but turned out a very nice pint and left me full of confidence to go again.

[leewink]

http://www.brewsource.com/ProdNav/Ing_61.asp

In its description it looks rather like belgium biscuit malt, worth a try ? dunno

lee

[bigdave]

Ive been in contact with brewzer and I'm thinking that a Deuchars IPA clone could be a good starting point as its simple and relatively inexpensive.

[Barley Water]

Just a couple of thoughts. First of all, I don't know if it will make any difference exactly what dark grain you put in the beer, it is going to be bitter as hell and taste like hops with maybe a little sweetness due to high gravity. Special Roast should add a toasted flavor along with a bisquit character (I did an Octoberfest a couple of weeks ago with some in the grist, I can't wait to see how it comes out). The flavor contribution would be somewhat subtle normally however it will be completely lost in a recipe like the one you posted. In my opinion, this formulation is getting pretty close to an American Barlywine (and I can tell just by looking at it that a hopehead Yankee came up with it) so attenuation can become problematic. I don't think a beer like this is a good candidate for your first all grain brew as fermenting high gravity beer can get a little tricky. For your maiden voyage, I would shoot something in the O.G. 1.050 range, what you really want to do is get a handle on your system's efficiency to be used in the future. I find on my system, as gravity goes up, my efficiency goes down but that is just me.

As somebody else noted, Chinook hops can be quite rough and at the rate you propose, I think rough would be putting it nicely. Stone brewing over here uses that hop alot but to tell you the truth, I am not a big fan. If you do like Arrogant Bastard, you may well enjoy the beer but it is not my "cup of tea". If I want something bitter, I like Dogfish Head 60. That beer is basicly two row ale malt and a little brown malt which I think really adds to the beer. Anyway, difference of opinion is what makes a horse race, if you like beers like that then by all means "go for it" and good luck.