What maked red beers red

[mikealangevin]

I want to brew a real red beer not amber or too dark so its darn near black.

What makes red beers red and can that be modified to give more or less redness.

I don't know so I am asking.

 

[the_bird]

Some crystal malts can get you close, or a small amount of black patent (~2oz, not enough for much of the flavor to come through). I bought some debittered black malt to play with for color on my next IPA, which I want to be more of a heavily hopped red ale.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

Roast barley also works, as do melanoidin and carared. Nothing will make it really "red", but those malts will give it that "reddish" hue.

 

[mikealangevin]

Thanks, this gives me a starting point. I am from Arkansas and am a Razorback fan. I have promised some other, even more rabid, fans that I would make up and brew a RAZORBACK RED ale for next season. So I'm on so to speak.

 

[sonvolt]

Some crystal malts can get you close, or a small amount of black patent (~2oz, not enough for much of the flavor to come through).

A bit of black patent will get you there, but 2 oz. is too much IMO. If you wish to avoid the roasty bitterness of these black malts, you can experiment with adding it late in the mash - say just before sparging. You will get color without as much of the flavor. The dehusked carafa is a great way to do this as well.

All that said, I am with the Baron on this one. Use some roasted barley for the color as well as the flavor. I like all my red ales to have a slight roast flavor.

 

[Schlenkerla]

I haven't made this but since you asked....

This is from Charlie Papazian's book, NCJHB

Strong Special Red Bitter
6lbs amber extract
2oz roasted Barley
2 oz of one of these;Fuggles, Goldings, or Cascade for bittering
1/2oz of one of these; Fuggles, Goldings, Cascade, Willamette for finishing
Dry Ale Yeast
OG 1.040-1.044
ABV 3.5-4.5​

No addition schedule for the hops are given

IBU's are 20-30 for this style, SRM's 12-14

My calc's;

Fuggles or Golding: 26.9 IBU's w/ 2lbs per gal h20 while boiling (3gal @ Boil)

1 @ 60min
.5 @ 30min
.5 @ 15min​

OR

Cascade: 29.9 IBU's w/ 2lbs per gal h20 while boiling (3gal @ Boil)

1 @ 45min
.5 @ 30min
.5 @ 15min​

Add the finishing at flame-out.

Good Luck with the Red!

 

[RichBrewer]

I'm late with my input here but chocolate malt will also give you some red hues. maybe 1/4 pound. Chocolate won't give you that roasted burnt taste that black patent does either.

 

[Dr Malt]

For a novelty, add some red food color.

Dr Malt