Combining to get to 100L Crystal malt

[moxcamel]

So I've got a recipe that calls for a half pound of 100L crystal malt. Unfortunately for me, my LHBS doesn't carry 100L. So my thinking was that I could hit 100L by averaging: combine 1/4 lb 120L and 1/4 lb 80L, and that should average out to 100L. But the guy behind the counter said it's actually additive, not an average. He recommends using 1/4 lb 60L, and 1/4 lb 40L.

These guys have never steered me wrong before, but being additive just doesn't sound right to me. Can anyone set me straight?

(and apologies if this has been covered, I did search.)

 

[billl]

Your guy is wrong on this one.

Maybe he's thinking you meant 1/2 lb of each. That would be additive. eg 1/2 60 + 1/2 40 would give the same color as 1/2 lb of 100. That is color only though. A full lb of lighter crystal would taste and ferment much differently than a half lb of darker crystal.

1/4 lb of 120 and 80 will get you the same color but be much closer to the flavor profile.

 

[moxcamel]

Excellent, thanks much for the confirmation!

 

[wilserbrewer]

OK, to the purists out there w/ perfect palates...120 and 80 will not get you 100, but it will get you as close as you can get withou having 100 available...make the beer, your doing well by me!

 

[amandabab]

small LHBS employees will always make crap up to sell whats in stock.

 

[moxcamel]

Well, I usually get really good advice from these guys, so I'm not gonna get too bent about it. As billl said, it's possible he misunderstood me, or I didn't make myself clear.

I guess I could online order it from somewhere, but I'll probably wind up paying more in shipping than the grains alone cost. And as wilserbrewer said, 120L+80L is close enough. I'm not a monastic brewer.