Does steeping specialty grains add calories?

[AntDoctor]

People say that steeping grains (as opposed to mashing) adds no fermentable sugars. But does this still add calories to the beer or just ... calorie-less flavors?

I'm thinking about making a gallon of sparkling hopwater, and I'm wondering if I can add some malt flavor via steeped grains without increasing calories.

 

[tracer bullet]

What's your definition of steeping?

Some might describe mashing as being similar to steeping. Malt & hot water & time.

 

[AntDoctor]

What's your definition of steeping?

Some might describe mashing as being similar to steeping. Malt & hot water & time.

I meant below 150. Maybe thirty minutes at 140F?

OR, if there's a temperature or time where you can get flavor and no/little calories, I'm interested too.

 

[myndflyte]

I guess it depends what you're talking about. If it's a specialty grain, then you're adding sugar, so calories. If you "steep" a grain like 2-row, even at 140, you are going to get conversion of starch to sugar. Even if you didn't, you are still adding starch which have calories. Unless you don't mill it but even then, you'll either get something released that has calories, or you won't get the grain flavor you are looking for. I guess in my mind, if you soak any kind of grain, you are probably increasing the calories.

 

[AntDoctor]

I guess it depends what you're talking about. If it's a specialty grain, then you're adding sugar, so calories. If you "steep" a grain like 2-row, even at 140, you are going to get conversion of starch to sugar. Even if you didn't, you are still adding starch which have calories. Unless you don't mill it but even then, you'll either get something released that has calories, or you won't get the grain flavor you are looking for. I guess in my mind, if you soak any kind of grain, you are probably increasing the calories.

I thought specialty grains, without something that has diastatic power, DON'T add sugar?

 

[myndflyte]

Depends on the grain. Some require diastatic power, but grains like crystal are already converted.

Gains and Extracts List for Beer Brewing | BeerSmith™ Home Brewing Software for a full list of what does and does not need to be mashed.

 

[AntDoctor]

Dumb question then: what has more calories? 1 gram of grain starches or the end product if that 1 gram was fully broken down into sugars?

 

[heartofgold]

The unfermentable dextrins have more calories for humans since unlike yeast we can digest most of them -- with a little help from our gut probiotics

 

[KeizerBrewr]

The short answer, yes. Steeping grains do add calories regardless of how modified they are.