Deep Crystal/raisin Character In Uk Ales. How To Get?

[mje1980]

Hey guys, i just tried a Wells bombadier, and loved the deep crystal/raisin character of it. Im ahppy with my bitters, but would love to get a more deep crystal character to them. I love caramunich 2 and 3 for my bitters, but im thinking i might need to go to caraaroma or similar for a deeper more pronounced character.

What sayeth you??

 

[bconnery]

Hey guys, i just tried a Wells bombadier, and loved the deep crystal/raisin character of it. Im ahppy with my bitters, but would love to get a more deep crystal character to them. I love caramunich 2 and 3 for my bitters, but im thinking i might need to go to caraaroma or similar for a deeper more pronounced character.

What sayeth you??

Caraaroma is a great crystal in english beers.
Dark Crystal would be another option.

 

[mje1980]

Cheers mate. Which dark crystal? I dont use JW crystals, as i find them harsh. Keen to try the simpsons crystal though.

 

[bum]

While you're looking at Simpsons - their Aromatic is supposed to be pretty heavy on the raisins, isn't it? Worth thinking about?

 

[mje1980]

Cheers bum!

 

[Dazza_devil]

I was just looking at the Simpson's on the CraftBrewer website.
Is that a typo, they are calling it Areomatic as opposed to Dingeman's Aromatic.

 

[Sammus]

yeah looks like a typo, it has no 'e' on the simpsons webpage: http://www.simpsonsmalt.co.uk/jps.asp

 

[goatherder]

I like to use country of origin malts when brewing to style. Try dropping the German malts from your bitters and give the English crystals a try.

English dark crystal is wonderful and has the raisin notes you are looking for. I use Bairds because that's what I can get locally but I'm sure TF and Simpsons are just as good.

Also, try to keep your recipes simple, 3 malts max I reckon.

 

[bconnery]

I like to use country of origin malts when brewing to style. Try dropping the German malts from your bitters and give the English crystals a try.

English dark crystal is wonderful and has the raisin notes you are looking for. I use Bairds because that's what I can get locally but I'm sure TF and Simpsons are just as good.

Also, try to keep your recipes simple, 3 malts max I reckon.

I think Bairds is the dark crystal I use too from memory, whatever Craftbrewer sells anyway.
It definitely brings a raisin note.

With regards to country of origin malts, this can make good beers no question but I still think its the choice of malt for desired flavour that is important.
And Caraaroma is too good in an english ale in my book to not use sometimes.

 

[MHB]

Lots of Dark Crystal, long cool mash and watch the mash out temperature, keep it well down in the mid 70's, I find Challenger hops brings out the character nicely.

Some of the middle sized brewers have small batches (say a ton) of malts made to specification, I know one that was getting 450 EBC crystal made for a very red toned beer. In general I would agree with Goat Herder, but Cara Aroma is the darkest Crystal we can get and it's full of those lovely plum pudding flavours well worth considering if those are the flavours you are looking for.

MHB

 

[Nick JD]

Some of that raisin character is coming from the Goldings.

 

[Bribie G]

Caraaroma :icon_drool2: :icon_drool2:

 

[goatherder]

Fair point on the Caraaroma, it is pretty damned good.

 

[RdeVjun]

A vote for 3% Caraaroma. On its own or with just a sprinkle of Bairds Dark Caramalt (1-2%) is perhaps even better, IMO, depending on what you want though and there's plenty of ways to dice it I guess.

CB has some cracking typos, one I get a giggle out of is Bohemium! :lol:

 

[kevin_smevin]

Dingemans special B will give you raison flavours

 

[gjhansford]

So with the grains sorted ... what's the best yeast to get that great raisin and/or marmalade taste?

ghhb

 

[Dazza_devil]

Perhaps you might want a yeast that would compliment your malt raisin flavours rather than attempt to add even more raisin.
I'm no expert on this style but would you really want to get raisin/marmalade flavours from your malt, hops and yeast?
I would use 1028, only because I already have some, it does give some fruit and finishes well.

 

[mje1980]

Cheers guys. I was thinking of cara aroma, and looks like i'll give it a crack now. Thanks for all replies guys, keep the thread going if anyone's got more info.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEEEE Uk ales!!!

 

[warra48]

So with the grains sorted ... what's the best yeast to get that great raisin and/or marmalade taste?

ghhb

Wyeast 1968 is a good candidate.

 

[mje1980]

As a reward to myself for painting the living room, i just ordered this:

TF Dark xtal
Cara aroma
Special B
Dingemans aromatic
Golden naked oats
Simpsons aeromatic


And 1968!!

Will update.