How important is malto-dextrin?

[BarryNL]

I found a Hobgoblin clone recipe which calls for 115g of malto-dextrin - the one ingredient I'm missing.

How important is this likely to be? I can order some but then its 10 quid P&P for a 3 quid pack of powder. Would it make much difference, or is there something else I could substitute instead?

[BarryNL]

EDIT...btw, that's an extract recipe, I thought you were going all grain?

There's an all-grain version at the bottom of the page...

Unfortunately, I'll have to improvise slightly - Maris Otter is unheard of here. Brewferm pale malt it will have to be.

[AT]

but then imo Hob Goblin is a pretty average beer

Hey take that back

[BarryNL]

No, as I'm paying £2.70 a bottle it must be very, very good...

Still, the upside is I can buy Westmalle Dubbel for 70p a bottle in the supermarket.

[BarryNL]

What would you do to that recipe then to improve it as a beer? I like the Hobgoblin, but if there's something that might improve on it I'd be open to suggestions.

I am considering dry hopping instead of the last aroma hops...

[AT]

but then imo Hob Goblin is a pretty average beer

Hey take that back

Before Tesco Express took over, my local shop sold a strong beer in a green can with little more than the words 'Real Ale' on it for about 60p ea (next to the White Lightning Cider ). All my friends agreed it tasted exactly like Hobgoblin but a lot cheaper. There's nothing wrong with Hobgoblin, I just can't imagine it will win many awards.

Grrrrr.......

[Frothy]

MaltoDextrin = Carapils malt, this is what Orfy uses in his Hobgoblin clone. Same as any crystal malt it has been kilned and the sugars have been partially caramelised making them unfermentable which maintains a degree of sweetness in the beer. Carapils is often used in lagers as it adds little/ no flavour but adds a lot to the body, just be sure to buy it ready crushed as it's hard as nails. As Daab says higher mash temps produce a greater number of dextrins so aim for ~67oc for 60-90minnutes.

Frothy

[Andy]

MaltoDextrin = Carapils malt

Maltodextrin is produced from corn starch and is sold as a white powder. It's not the same thing as carapils.

[Scooby]

On my recent visit to the brewery they were not very forthcoming when questioned about ingredients, but there was no evidence of MaltoDextrin so doubt they use it, the FG of Hobgoblin is 16 so a higher mash temp would be desirable.

There was no sign of Black malt either, this is mentioned in most clones.

I'm of the opinion that Wychwood beers are pretty run of the mill and will drink them unless there is something else on that is better, which there usually is.

Having said that I have just racked my Hobgoblin to cornie, I brewed it because they wouldn't give me any clues to the recipe (was trying to get it for the Hobgoblin fans on the forum), but when I ask if I did attempt a brew would the head brewer like to sample it, the reply was positive, so I'm taking a few bottles there when it's mature.

5.75kg pale malt
300g Crystal malt
180g Chocolate malt

Mash @ 68c Eff 65%

30g SS Goldings All of boil
25g Fuggles All of boil
20g SS Goldings 30min
20g Fuggles 30 min
15g SS Goldings At turn off
15g Fuggles in hop back

S04 yeast

OG 1.054
Expected FG 1.014
IBU (Garetz) 29
40 EBC

Tastes ok on racking but may be a smidge light on colour

[AT]

On my recent visit to the brewery they were not very forthcoming when questioned about ingredients, but there was no evidence of MaltoDextrin so doubt they use it, the FG of Hobgoblin is 16 so a higher mash temp would be desirable.

There was no sign of Black malt either, this is mentioned in most clones.

I'm of the opinion that Wychwood beers are pretty run of the mill and will drink them unless there is something else on that is better, which there usually is.

Having said that I have just racked my Hobgoblin to cornie, I brewed it because they wouldn't give me any clues to the recipe (was trying to get it for the Hobgoblin fans on the forum), but when I ask if I did attempt a brew would the head brewer like to sample it, the reply was positive, so I'm taking a few bottles there when it's mature.

5.75kg pale malt
300g Crystal malt
180g Chocolate malt

Mash @ 68c Eff 65%

30g SS Goldings All of boil
25g Fuggles All of boil
20g SS Goldings 30min
20g Fuggles 30 min
15g SS Goldings At turn off
15g Fuggles in hop back

S04 yeast

OG 1.054
Expected FG 1.014
IBU (Garetz) 29
40 EBC

Tastes ok on racking but may be a smidge light on colour

Keep us informed on how it turns out

[Scooby]

Will do

Going to be very busy over the next 2-3 weeks so will be a rare beer that gets to mature more or less undisturbed

[Frothy]

Maltodextrin is produced from corn starch and is sold as a white powder. It's not the same thing as carapils.

Dextrins are long chain unfermentable sugars, you would achieve the same results using crystal malts, carapils etc.

Frothy

[oblivious]

Its probably that maltodextrin has no flavor or color

[BarryNL]

Its probably that maltodextrin has no flavor or color

Hmm, one ingredient with no flavour tastes much like another

[Scooby]

Tried my Hobgoblin clone yesterday and compared it to a bottle of the real stuff.



I have to admit apart from the carbonation of the bottled version shown on the right I couldn't tell them apart I'm going to decant some into a bottle and take the brewery up on there offer of sampling it