Irish Red Ale

[David Koepke]

Hey Guys-

I found a recipe online that I was going to try but I cannot find CaraAroma near me and its sold out on NB. I guess I am looking for a substitute. I look at the recipe and think they added it for color and sweetness. Any help is appreciated.

Irish Red Ale

8.00 lb Pale Malt (2 Row) US (2.0 SRM)
1.00 lb Caraaroma (130.0 SRM)
0.50 lb CaraPils (2.0 SRM)
0.50 lb Melanoiden Malt (20.0 SRM)
1.00 oz Crystal [3.50 %] (60 min) (First Wort Hop)
1.00 oz Cascade [5.50 %] (30 min)
1.00 lb Honey (1.0 SRM) (add at flame out)
1 US-05

 

[balrog]

HBT threads say maybe special B.

 

[David Koepke]

HBT threads say maybe special B.

I thought that might add too much prune/raisin type flavor. But maybe it will work just fine.

 

[balrog]

It will, as always, be a matter of your own taste. I fear I have no firsthand knowledge, I've not used Cara Aroma, or Special B, and I've never done a dunkel. You have a *VERY* valid point about the raisin though, as a dry Irish red is not where I would look for hints of raisin.

For dry and dark in my Altbiers I use 1-3oz of CarafaII, dehusked (less bitter) very dark roast, lending much darkness with very little roast and not bitter (think Blank Patent or Chocolate malt which I find off-putting).

 

[BrewingAroundtheRrealm]

The substitution chart I use also recommends Special B. https://www.brew.is/files/malt.html

 

[tgolanos]

The substitution chart I use also recommends Special B. https://www.brew.is/files/malt.html

This chart also says you can sub a dark crystal malt for the cara-aroma. I've never used Special B, but I would lean towards the dark crystal if I were you.