Melanoidin vs. Honey Malt - clear it up please!

[joshesmusica]

In the book, "Malt," by John Mallett, he says that Melanoidin malt is also known as Honey malt or Brumalt, but in looking trying to look up the differences, I couldn't find anywhere else that described either one as a substitute for the other. My LHBS doesn't have honey malt, but do have melanoidin. Is is a substitute, or not really?

 

[unionrdr]

Here's some links from Midwest to check out;
Melanoiden malt;
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/maillard-malts-weyermann-melanoidin-malted-grain.html
Honey malt;
http://www.midwestsupplies.com/maillard-malts-gambrinus-honey-malt.html

 

[bigdaddybrew]

I would describe honey malt as having a sweet toasted malt flavor smelling faintly like honey. Melanoiden reminds me more of caramelized malt less toasted.

 

[passedpawn]

Honey malt smelled exactly like honey. I don't remember melanoiden having that scent. I used both a lot but, unfortunately, don't have either right now.

So, I don't think they are very similar. I can't explain what you read.

 

[joshesmusica]

Honey malt smelled exactly like honey. I don't remember melanoiden having that scent. I used both a lot but, unfortunately, don't have either right now.

So, I don't think they are very similar. I can't explain what you read.

you know this publisher and the series on the principal ingredients in beer?:
http://www.brewerspublications.com/category/brewing-science/

that's where i read it... :/

 

[passedpawn]

you know this publisher and the series on the principal ingredients in beer?

Nope.

I haven't written any books. Generally speaking, you should trust people who write books over some yahoo on an internet forum (me).

You can see in the pic below, which is some of the bins in my grain closet, that the honey and melanoiden are different colors (23 vs 27). So they are not exactly the same, though from different malsters you'd expect slightly different colors. And I swear the honey malt smelled just like honey. But who knows, maybe they are the same and my brain is playing tricks.

 

[Yooper]

you know this publisher and the series on the principal ingredients in beer?:
http://www.brewerspublications.com/category/brewing-science/

that's where i read it... :/

Well, yeah, we know him. I just saw him last week.

I can't explain it. I think melanoidin malt is very similar, but not exactly the same, as brumalt. I've only used honey malt a couple of times and it smells just like honey to me, while melanoidin malt and brumalt seem more like Munich malt on steroids to me.

They are very similar perhaps, but from different maltsters. There are differences, just as British caramel malt is a bit different from US crystal malt. Made very much the same way in many cases, but a bit different.

 

[joshesmusica]

Nope.

I haven't written any books. Generally speaking, you should trust people who write books over some yahoo on an internet forum (me).

You can see in the pic below, which is some of the bins in my grain closet, that the honey and melanoiden are different colors (23 vs 27). So they are not exactly the same, though from different malsters you'd expect slightly different colors. And I swear the honey malt smelled just like honey. But who knows, maybe they are the same and my brain is playing tricks.

View attachment 285775

yes, definitely a noticeable difference in color. you honestly haven't read this series of books? i figured they were generally read by the homebrewing public.

p.s. i'm super jealous of seeing that pic! hoping to have a similar setup some day!

 

[joshesmusica]

Well, yeah, we know him. I just saw him last week.

I can't explain it. I think melanoidin malt is very similar, but not exactly the same, as brumalt. I've only used honey malt a couple of times and it smells just like honey to me, while melanoidin malt and brumalt seem more like Munich malt on steroids to me.

They are very similar perhaps, but from different maltsters. There are differences, just as British caramel malt is a bit different from US crystal malt. Made very much the same way in many cases, but a bit different.

so if i don't have access to honey malt, can this be a "close enough" substitute?

 

[joshesmusica]

the reason i ask is because there are some really good looking recipes i've seen, but can't brew because of not having access to honey malt.

 

[passedpawn]

yes, definitely a noticeable difference in color. you honestly haven't read this series of books? i figured they were generally read by the homebrewing public.

p.s. i'm super jealous of seeing that pic! hoping to have a similar setup some day!

Naw. I read a bunch of brewing books when I got started, I was so obsessed. But once you start brewing regularly, experience becomes your greatest learning tool. I.e., get some of those malts and see for yourself.

Re: the bins, they are sweet! I love having it all so easy to access. Get the bins at target. I can't help you with finding a closet to dedicate to barley though.

 

[joshesmusica]

Naw. I read a bunch of brewing books when I got started, I was so obsessed. But once you start brewing regularly, experience becomes your greatest learning tool. I.e., get some of those malts and see for yourself.

Re: the bins, they are sweet! I love having it all so easy to access. Get the bins at target. I can't help you with finding a closet to dedicate to barley though.

yeah that's where i'm at. level: obsession. looking forward to the point where experience becomes my greatest tool.

yeah, incredibly jealous now! one day... one day.

 

[C-Rider]

Naw. I read a bunch of brewing books when I got started, I was so obsessed. But once you start brewing regularly, experience becomes your greatest learning tool. I.e., get some of those malts and see for yourself.

Re: the bins, they are sweet! I love having it all so easy to access. Get the bins at target. I can't help you with finding a closet to dedicate to barley though.

wow, that's quite the grain collection. I'm jealous. Is the grain room temp controlled as some steady point?

Here in Hawai`i my 50 year old house has no AC and temps rise from 100+ when the house is locked up on a summer day to low 60's on a "cold" winter nite.