BestMalz Heidelberg Malt in a Munich Helles

[BugAC]

Crafting some future recipes right now. I've been seeing Heidelberg malt in a few articles and recipes, so i was curious. Would Heidelberg do well in a Helles or is it too light of a malt contribution? I've made a helles in the past with Barke Pilsner and i found it to be a little too heavy on the malt flavor. I was thinking:

79% Heidelberg
10% Munich
7% Barke Pilsner
4% Acidulated

 

[Miraculix]

Crafting some future recipes right now. I've been seeing Heidelberg malt in a few articles and recipes, so i was curious. Would Heidelberg do well in a Helles or is it too light of a malt contribution? I've made a helles in the past with Barke Pilsner and i found it to be a little too heavy on the malt flavor. I was thinking:

79% Heidelberg
10% Munich
7% Barke Pilsner
4% Acidulated

I'd use only pilsner if I were you, without the Munich. Heidelberg is not my cup of tea and I actually like light beers

 

[ntempleton]

I work for a brewery that's 100% Bestmalz. I think Heidelberg makes a fine Helles. Honestly, side by side with Bestmalz Pils, the malts are pretty close. The biggest difference is the color. The SRM range for Best Pils is pretty broad. Flavor wise the Pils has a bit more rustic bread crust where Heidelberg is more sweet white bread.

@Miraculix has a wealth of brewing experience. Really, the only way you'll know is to brew with it and find out. It comes down to your preference.

 

[Miraculix]

I work for a brewery that's 100% Bestmalz. I think Heidelberg makes a fine Helles. Honestly, side by side with Bestmalz Pils, the malts are pretty close. The biggest difference is the color. The SRM range for Best Pils is pretty broad. Flavor wise the Pils has a bit more rustic bread crust where Heidelberg is more sweet white bread.

@Miraculix has a wealth of brewing experience. Really, the only way you'll know is to brew with it and find out. It comes down to your preference.

Yes, its purely a question of personal preference. This is actually a good beer for this. He can brew it with Heidelberg only to get to know it! He will never know how it tastes if he adds another malt.

And I don't have that much experience. I've made a lot of mistakes though, and can tell about how not to brew a lot

 

[jdauria]

I say go for it, it may be a little lighter, but it will still be beer, what do you really have to lose? I just brewed a Helles two weeks ago and I kitchen sinked it. Normally use 100% Barke, but had some base malts left over from previous brews so used them up. It wound up being 44% Eraclea Pils, 33% Barke Pils, 11% Sekado Czech Bohemian Pils 6.5% Kolsch malt plus some acidulated and carahell. Will it be my best Helles ever, time will tell. If not, will it be a decent drinkable Helles? Definitely.

 

[Halfakneecap]

I really like heidelberg. I pay too much for it but i still buy it. I use it in rice lagers, saison and pretty much anything non british really.

 

[Broothru]

I’ve been using quite a lot of the Heidelberg this year, and exclusively for my numerous pilot brews for “the Perfect Kolsch.” The truth is I’m becoming quite a fan of this malt. I don’t see where it wouldn’t be appropriate in any Pils or Helles.

Last year my Helles did quite well in competition, and I used Floor Malted Bohemian as the primary malt for that recipe. I do think Barke Pils might have an “overstated” presence in a Helles, and would stick with something less assertive. IMO, the Heidelberg would be a good malt.

My key belief in brewing a Helles (or a Kolsch) is that “more is less”. Stick to basics, but use the very best ingredients possible. My list starts with the freshest Hallertau Mittelfruh hops and a strong pitch of a Munich style yeast, WLP-860 being my top choice.

My experience so far is that BestMalz Heidelberg is a very good product, and should make a very nice Helles.