will dextrine malt Increase gravity without changing flavor

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by GeeL, Jan 13, 2013.

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  1. GeeL

    GeeL Initiate (0) Aug 27, 2008 Massachusetts

    Hi. I want to make a recipe for Vienna Lager slightly higher gravity so I can ensure it's "heavier" than a stout I'm doing because we want to do a "black and tan".

    The recipe is fairly basic:
    3.5# continental pilsener
    3# munich
    5# vienna

    FG on this should be around 1.012. What can I do to bring it up a little to 1.015 maybe? Add some dextrine malt? Or, should I increase the ingredients a little? (though I'm concerned this would affect the flavor).

    Thoughts? Thanks.
     
    #1 GeeL, Jan 13, 2013
  2. mattbk

    mattbk Savant (1,111) Dec 12, 2011 New York

    if you are trying to increase fg, mash at a higher temp. that should increase fg without increasing og.
     
    #2 mattbk, Jan 13, 2013
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  3. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    A low lovibond caramel malt like carapils / dextrin shouldn't change the flavor. I've never brewed a Vienna Lager before so I'm not sure if you'd be better off just raising the mash temperature rather than adding carapils though.
     
    #3 koopa, Jan 13, 2013
  4. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    How much? I'm just curious if anyone has a specific (or close enough) answer, but the OP might also be interested.

    Suppose I make a 5 gallon SMaSH using 2-row pale malt, 11 lbs, optimal water, perfect thermometer etc etc. We'll suppose 1.25q/lb mash. One is done at 150F, one at 158F. Will there really be a noticeable difference in OG? How many points?

    What if it were 10 lbs 2-row and a pound of crystal?
     
    #4 AlCaponeJunior, Jan 13, 2013
  5. evantwomey

    evantwomey Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2008 North Carolina

    Yes, it will make a big difference. On my system, changing the mash temp from 150 F to 158 F would decrease the attenuation by about 10%. So, for lets say a 1.053 starting gravity beer, this would increase the fg from about 1.010 to 1.015
     
    #5 evantwomey, Jan 13, 2013
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  6. evantwomey

    evantwomey Initiate (0) Jan 1, 2008 North Carolina

    Also, it was always my understanding that the density difference between beers facilitating a black and tan was simply an urban legend. And that the real reason it works is because the top beer is poured very gently so as not to mix with the bottom beer.
     
    #6 evantwomey, Jan 13, 2013
  7. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    As one who has made many black and tan and half and half mixes, I can say that gentle pouring helps, but density counts too.
     
    #7 VikeMan, Jan 13, 2013
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