Melanoidin In Irish Red Ales?

[SJW]

Just been reading the threads on Irish Red Ales and was wondering about melanoidin. I understand that in a large enough quantity it will add a very nice red colour to the beer but does it work like crystal aswell? ie. add body + head retention?
As i do like the look of Rays Irish Red with 5kgs Pale, 450g Crystal & 30g Roast Barley but was wondering if i wanted to use the melanoidin what would it replace?


STEPHEN

 

[Dunkel_Boy]

A rough translation of melanoiden means 'adds colour and flavour'. It's essentially a medium German crystal, around the 70EBC mark I believe. It does aid in head retention, but that shouldn't be a problem anyway.

450g is pushing it, but the Weyermann site (I think) says you can use up to 20%.
I highly recommend a bit (250 - 500g) of English Brown in there too, perhaps drop the melanoiden to 375g, and keep the roast right where it is.

EDIT: Bugger it, throw 450g in, just to see.