Colour Calculations

[Wreck]

Hi guys,

I've found a fair bit of info on calculating OG and hop bitterness, but haven't found much on how to estimate the colour of your brew.

Is there a formula, or do you just guess? (which is what I have been doing)

Thanks.

 

[jayse]

the colour calculation is similar to the o.g calculation.

basically the amount of grain in kg x the colour rating in ebc / wort volume in litres.
you then need to times it again by 10.

example
5 kilos of pale ale malt in 20 litres =

((5kg x 5 ebc)/20)x 10=12.5 ebc beer.

 

[jayse]

also other things like the boil can effect colour which this calc doesn't take into account.plus coloured malts can be up to 20% lighter or darker than the actuall specs say from one batch to another.

but this is the standard way to calculate colour.

 

[Wreck]

Thanks for that.

What about if you are using extract as your base. What sort of contribution does that make? Still go by the kilo? I would have thought it has a bigger impact than the equivalent weight in grain.

 

[jayse]

yeap same deal, ie.

((1.5 kg liquid malt x colour in ebc) / wort volume) x 10

the light malt can is around 5 ebc.
the coopers unhopped cans have the colour on them i think.

 

[Wreck]

Thanks.

I can go update the spread sheet now.