Carafa- HELP

[HopSong]

I'm going to be brewing a smooth oatmeal stout ala Velvet Merlin. One of the grains I had planned on using would be Carafa.

I had planned on using Carafa Special III as I thought the husk-less would be less bitter and smoother than the regular.

Any thoughts on you stout experts. I'm using a fair amount of Roasted Barley and Oatmeal.. as in about 13% each.

My plan is to use about 2% of some type of Carafa.. and that's my dilemma.. what kind..?

I'm looking for low astringency/bitterness.

Thanks for any help..

 

[SpeedYellow]

Depends what you want out of it. Personally, I'd cut back on the roasted barley then use either 5-6% Carafa II or a couple % Carafa III. Carafa II has nice chocolate notes. Oh, and unhusked of course.

 

[Staylow]

I'll echo what Speed said - cut back on the roasted barley and up the Carafa, especially if low astringency/bitterness is what you want. 13% Roasted barley is way too much for what you're looking for. I'd shoot for maybe 5%.

I'd also consider some rice hulls with that much oatmeal and dehusked grain.

 

[HopSong]

Just going by what the brewer at Firestone Walker said re the Roasted Barley. Looking at the press info for the Velvet MerKin.. they mention Carafa.. I don't know if it's in Velvet MerLin or not. But it should add some nice notes.. and Weyermans says to use up to 5%. I'm at 3%..

I believe the Special 3 is unhusked.