BackAlleyBrewingCo

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Hi all,

I've been told that adding a little bit of a darker malt like Vienna or Munich to Pilsener malt produces the equivalent of a Pale Ale malt. Is this correct? It seems to me that while the colors might be the same, the flavors will differ.

pericles

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Pale malts are made from different grains than are Vienna, Munich, or Pilsener malts. Also, although I've personally never mashed a Pilsener, I'm given to understand that because Pilsener malts are so highly modified, they require mashing techniques that are different from Pale malts. (e.g. a stronger protein rest).

So no, no combination of them will be the "same" as a Pale Malt. Whether you find a particular combination to be similar tasting will be a matter of taste for you to decide. I've not tried that combination myself in the past, but from using the grains individually, I believe that it'd be close, except maybe slightly fruitier.

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Primary 1: Hasty IPA
Primary 2:
Secondary: Soured Golden
Kegged: American Wheat
Bottled: Belgian Golden Ale.
Planning: American Amber

z987k

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One malt plus another never ever equals a different malt. Ever. crystal 40 + crystal 60 != crystal as well. You are correct that you can match colors, but flavors are different. Basically in math terms A + B = A + B. A + B != C.
Single infusion is absolutely fine for pils. Now for the style of beer you are making, you may want to change that.

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Beer Style Guidelines - Kaiser's Brewing Experiments - American Society of Brewing Chemists - Journal of the Institute of Brewing