Unlabeled Crystal Malt...help?

[mavolio]

Hi,

A friend just gave me a 1kg bag of malt simply labeled "Crystal Malt." Does anyone know of a good way to determine the degrees lovibond? I'm new to brewing with grain and don't have enough experience with Crystal Malt to eyeball it?

Thanks!

 

[TipsyDragon]

you could try to make a tiny batch of wort with it. like a cup or so. then compare the color to various SMRs. if you can post a pic of the "mystery malt".

 

[Malticulous]

I guess it's 40L. Make a APA.

 

[mithion]

I'd just brew something with half of it. If the beer turns out brown, call it a brown ale. If it's pale, call it a pale ale.

 

[mavolio]

I don't have time to make any wort right now, but for the time being here's a photo of the mystery malt.

http://picasaweb.google.ca/lh/photo/h9yzMMYStKbsg3CXRVyePw?feat=directlink

 

[mithion]

That looks pretty light. It could be some crystal 20L or even 10L.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

Actually, it kind of looks like Munich Light.

 

[TipsyDragon]

to me it looks like its somewhere around 40L. in any case you have a light crystal on your hands so i wouldn't try to make a stout with it.

 

[Frank99]

It's at least 40L. It looks dead on like my Munich.

 

[mavolio]

Thanks for the input everyone. 40L - that's the story and I'm sticking with it. I've used some in a 2.5 gal ale variation of Papazian's Rocky Raccoon's Crystal Honey Lager. Looks and smells delicious so far. I'll post some pics the next time I take a gravity reading.