Flaked Rye vs Flaked Wheat

[radu]

Hi. I'm planning on brewing a Imperial Stout and the recipe calls for 1.5 pounds of flaked rye or flaked wheat. Since I never used any of them before can anyone tell me which one should I use or what are de differences?

 

[Smellyglove]

Rye is quite different from wheat. Where wheat is more smooth, rye is more spicy/grainy-ish. Depens on what you want

 

[daksin]

The flavor is a big difference, and the rye will contribute more body. 1.5lbs is not an insignificant amount either- do you like other rye beers or even rye bread? If you're really unsure, go with the wheat and try it with rye next time.

 

[WayFrae]

I love rye in my beers. Go with the rye!!

 

[Calder]

I love rye beers, I hate rye bread, so please do not use the flavor of rye bread to make a decision.

Wheat is almost tasteless, will add protiens (cloudy beer), and help head retention. Rye will add a subtle spiceniess to the beer.

 

[dkennedy]

I'm with Calder, on the bread-vs-malt comparison...not a fan of rye bread, but put rye malt in a lot of beers.
Without seeing your recipe, I might split the two- 1/2 lb of wheat (for head retention) and 1 lb of rye (color and flavor), or something along those lines. A big stout can handle both the body/mouthfeel that the wheat will bring, and the spice of the rye, hard to go wrong with either.