IBU, why no IMU?

[stedtale]

Ok, so we all know about IBU, but why is there no IMU (international maltiness unit). We can know by a number how "hoppy" a beer is, but we can't know how malty it is without analyzing the grain bill.

Perhaps I missed the boat on it, or this topic has come up before.

I would think it would help you know the balance. i.e.
IBU=30 IMU=30, pretty balanced.
IBU=30 IMU=15, more hoppy.
IBU=50 IMU=30, more hoppy in balance, but more overall "big-ness"
IBU=20 IMU=40, more malty

Any I just crazy? I know that the calculation has to be out there because most recipie calculators can tell you the balance.

Is it really just a metter of OG to FG?

If so, why isn't there a unit, an IMU, that lets us know at a glance how "malty" a beer is.

Just thinking out loud.

 

[bob1852]

BU:GU is used (bittering units to gravity units)

 

[stedtale]

BU:GU is used (bittering units to gravity units)

See, I knew I was just wondering up the wrong tree.

Is that FG units, or OG units?

 

[wildwest450]

Any I just crazy?

Yes, yes you are.

 

[stedtale]

Yes, yes you are.

Yeah, it's true.

 

[bob1852]

See, I knew I was just wondering up the wrong tree.

Is that FG units, or OG units?

OG...

Ray Daniels goes into it quite a bit in his book, or there's more info here:

http://beercolor.netfirms.com/balance.html

(BM has a cool chart as well that you can plot your OG and IBUs to see where it stands)

from BierMuncher:

 

[stedtale]

OG...

Ray Daniels goes into it quite a bit in his book, or there's more info here:

http://beercolor.netfirms.com/balance.html

(BM has a cool chart as well that you can plot your OG and IBUs to see where it stands)

PERFECT!

Just what I need!

Thanks!

 

[david_42]

Maltiness is difficult to quantify. IBUs are just ppm.