Help! Brewing with limited grains

[TronJunior]

Hello all, first time poster long time lurker.

I'm a brewer from the US who has pretty much picked the worst possible country to live in while pursuing the hobby of homebrewing... Vietnam. I had some ingredients shipped from the US, but as I continue brewing, this is no longer financially viable (hops are ok, grains aren't). Fortunately I've come across a company in country (so far the only one) that supplies a limited amount of Weyermann grains. I need some help coming up with ideas for ale recipes using the following grains:

Pilsner Malt, Munich 1, Pale Ale, Carafa 1, Caramunich 3, Carared, Carahell, Special W, Meladnoiden. Most adjunct grains I can find here as well.

I figure I could do a few different types of IPAs or saisons, but how about stouts/porters? I plan on doing a lot of experimenting, but some ideas beforehand would be great.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bob]

That's actually a pretty good selection. Weyermann is fantastic.

That you can get Carafa I opens some dark-beer doors, as Carafa I corresponds roughly with Chocolate malt. So that's Brown Ale and Brown Porter covered.

To do the darker beers you need more types of roasted malts. I don't know how likely your source is to order grains he doesn't normally stock.
Carafa II corresponds roughly with Black Patent. Weyermann also makes Roasted unmalted Barley for your traditional Stout.

You have a huge variety of options.

Here's an idea for a dark-brown beer using Carafa I:

8# Pale Ale
0.75 # Caramunich
0.5 # Carafa I

That should net you about 1.050 OG in 5 US gallons.

I'd bitter it to 25-28 IBU and finish with something nicely German.

Ferment cool to keep the esters down.

That'll get you a nice Continental twist on a traditionally Anglo/American style.

Check out Weyermann's informative page for more information about their malts.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[stpug]

That IS a great selection. You can do a lot with those malts - basically anything you want, really.

 

[Tutsbrew]

I sense a most wonderful American amber being planned...

 

[TronJunior]

Awesome. Thanks for the info (and reassurance)! That brown ale looks great, I think will give that a go.

All of the microbreweries in Vietnam at the moment are German or Czech lager breweries, so this company is pretty much selling for them. But I'll hit them up and see if they are planning (or will upon request) get some more grains.

Cheers!