Carafa Special

[rodwha]

My understanding was that by dehusking this it took away the roasty flavors and allowed it to just impart the dark color. I was instructed that in larger quantities it does still add a roasty flavor. Can anyone describe that flavor or compare it to another grain?

I was convinced not to use 1 lb of Carafa I special and instead use midnight wheat for my black hybrid (something like a cream ale with an amber flavor).

 

[r2eng]

Carafa does not take away the roastiness, but rather the bitterness and astringency. There's still some roasty flavors.

I have used it and can only say the roast flavor is smoother than roasted barley or other roasted grains.

Now Midnight wheat is quite nice, as is the roasted rye. IMO, the midnight wheat would be better in your beer. Go light with it, as it also adds some roasted flavors.

 

[rodwha]

Too late as I brewed it on the 27th.

6 gal partial mash:

4.5 lbs pilsen LME (FO)
2.75 lbs 2-row
1 lb crystal 20
1 lb brown sugar (FO)
0.75 lb midnight wheat
0.5 lb crystal 80
0.5 lb soft white wheat berries
6 oz carafoam
0.25 lb carafa I special
0.25 lb chocolate 350
0.2 oz Cluster/Mt Hood/Perle/Liberty @ 60 mins
0.4 oz Cluster/Mt Hood/Perle/Liberty @ 20/5 mins
US-05

1.061/1.012
6.4% ABV
37 IBU's
38 SRM
~72.5% efficiency