Substituting Crystal

[JammyBStard]

Crystal malt has always confused me a bit.
I have an extract recipe for a simple APA (From JP@s How to Brew), It calls for 3kg Pale LME and 227g Crystal 60L

I dont have any Crystal 60, but I do have some Dark-Crystal from Barley Bottom. I'm guessing the Dark will be about 120L (does that sound right?)

If I use the same amount of Dark crystal; what would the difference be? Darker colour, and a more caramel flavor I assume. but will it sweeter?

Would it be better/nearer the original recipe to use half as much?

[CestrIan]

I think it's just different. I think light crystal is soft honey toffee flavours and as crystal malt gets darker it has more caramel sweetness and the dark crystal is more like burnt sugar and rich dark fruits like plums. So you could try using less but it will just be a slightly different beer.
Sometimes it's good to use a mix of different crystal malts to give more depth of flavour.I've started using caras instead of crystal i.e caramunich, caragold, carahell as I find the flavours are more subtle and less cloying.

[Rookie]

Crystal malt has always confused me a bit.
I have an extract recipe for a simple APA (From JP@s How to Brew), It calls for 3kg Pale LME and 227g Crystal 60L

I dont have any Crystal 60, but I do have some Dark-Crystal from Barley Bottom. I'm guessing the Dark will be about 120L (does that sound right?)

If I use the same amount of Dark crystal; what would the difference be? Darker colour, and a more caramel flavor I assume. but will it sweeter?

Would it be better/nearer the original recipe to use half as much?

Using half as much will get you the same color, but the caramel flavor will be more intense. I often do substitutions like that, instead of spending money getting the exact color crystal malt.