Malt Taste

[C-Rider]

I've been brewing about 8 months. Started w/Coopers kits, now doing 1.75 gal BIAB.

I'm reading a lot and lots of people talking about their brew having a Malty Taste. My question is....What is a Malty Taste?

Which grains make a beer "malter"? Seems the mash temp has an affect also, but I don't know what it is....Makes it hard to discuss the taste of my brews. I know when they are good, or bitter, or sour, but have no idea when they are Malty.

 

[thegerm]

think whoppers... malted milk balls. some people incorrectly use malty as a synonym for sweet.

or, just stick your face into a bag of 2 row and inhale. you'll get the idea that it's an identifiable flavor that is stronger in some beers than others.

 

[Mongrel]

Don't know if you have access to a good Scottish ale that's fermented on the cold side, no esters, low hop, and a nice, smooth, big body..

 

[C-Rider]

Don't know if you have access to a good Scottish ale that's fermented on the cold side, no esters, low hop, and a nice, smooth, big body..

Sure don't right now. :0(

 

[C-Rider]

think whoppers... malted milk balls. some people incorrectly use malty as a synonym for sweet.

or, just stick your face into a bag of 2 row and inhale. you'll get the idea that it's an identifiable flavor that is stronger in some beers than others.

Yea I was getting the impression that it came from the Crystal Malts = sweetness.

I can buy a box of milk balls tomorrow and will be at the LHBS and can stick my head in a 30 gal garbage can full of 2-row

 

[BetterSense]

It seems to me there are a variety of flavors that can be considered 'malty'. I think 'malty' is just a term for all or any flavors that are not 'yeasty' or 'hoppy'. It's not one flavor.

 

[Jwood]

malts like vienna, munich, Maris Otter, victory, biscuit, wheat malt, can all provide that malty taste without the sweetness that crystal malts provide. But yes, there is a huge difference between malty and sweet.

 

[thegerm]

It seems to me there are a variety of flavors that can be considered 'malty'. I think 'malty' is just a term for all or any flavors that are not 'yeasty' or 'hoppy'. It's not one flavor.

I think this is not really true. Malt is a flavor. It's strongly associated with beer for obvious reasons, but you wouldn't call a mead malty just because it lacks yeast and hop flavor or aroma. the analog with wine would be the term "fruity". You can have a dry or sweet wine that's fruity, or not fruity.

 

[gratus fermentatio]

Chew some 2 row, or have a spoonful of LME. Have a taste of the wort before hops are added, these should give you a good general idea of what "malty" tastes like; though there are as many differences in what "malty" is as there are malts to choose from.
Regards, GF.

 

[Yooper]

Chew some 2 row, or have a spoonful of LME. Have a taste of the wort before hops are added, these should give you a good general idea of what "malty" tastes like; though there are as many differences in what "malty" is as there are malts to choose from.
Regards, GF.

Right. It's hard to describe (just as it's hard to describe "spicy") but think of the flavor of the grain. Not "grainy", which is another description! Maybe a better way to get the "malty" taste is to taste the wort before adding hops. Not just "sweet", but you should have the rich flavor of the grain.

"Malty" beers include bocks, and my Dead Guy clone is a malt bomb. If you want to simply make a malty beer and see what we're describing, you could call it research!