CaraMunich II is not equivalent to Crystal 40

[Mer-man]

I think this chart is well meaning http://www.brew.is/files/malt.html

But ultimately an incomplete picture.

I used CaraMunich II to substitute for a Briess Crystal 40 and wow, the flavor is all wrong. It's raisiny and fruity when I just wanted caramelly sweetness.

So my two cents is: beware substitutions based on Lovibond/EBC ratings!

 

[FastAndy]

This is an important point. Munich is made a bit differently than crystal malts so it will have a different profile, relying on color only is going to become a problem is the finished beer.

 

[meatcleaver]

I agree.
& also, c-60 is not a good substitute for Caramunich 3 in an altbier.

 

[chickypad]

Caramunich I, II , and II are not made from or in the same way as munich malt, rather they are Weyermann's caramel malts made from green malt put into the roaster like other crystal malts. I agree though that crystals from different maltsters/countries are not equivalent, I find the same thing comparing British crystal malts to domestic.