Malt proportions matching color

[Jberries]

Hi All
I am interested in brewing this brew, link below
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/biermunchers-oktoberfast-ale-ag.39021/
The Munich malt in the recipe says 20 SRM. My LHS only has Munich with 12 SRM. Does this mean I should up the quantity of Munich by about 70% to get the color to match? Is that a general rule when trying to match recipes.?
Many thanks

 

[MrPowers]

I would not do that. I would use what your LHBS has, in the same quantity the recipe calls for, and then adjust the color with a VERY small amount of Carafa Special III, Black Patent, or Midnight Wheat.

 

[IslandLizard]

No, just adding more Munich would result in higher gravity.

But you can substitute some extra of your 12 SRM Munich for equal amounts of the Pilsner Malt, or the Vienna or a combination. But color and flavor will still be somewhat different. That said, Oktoberfests can be brewed with a 1000 different malt combinations, this is just one of them, so you don't have to have the exact same ingredients. That's true for most beers.

As for most grain, Munich's color and flavor profile are highly dependent on the grain variety used and the Maltster. Many maltsters carry 2 different Munich types, like I and II, or a lighter and a darker version. The darker versions are a bit more potent in character, the lighter ones more subtle. Like the difference between light toasted bread and a little bit darker (but not too much).

But don't sweat it, it will be just as good.

 

[Jberries]

Great info. and thanks a lot for the advice.