I was listening to a Brew Strong pod cast… unfortunately I cannot remember the context within which they were discussing this, but the gist of it was that brewers should try to avoid using Crystal 60… for some reason. I can’t remember if it was premature staling or something along those lines… Wondering if this is just bunk. Can anyone expound upon this? ;D
Thanks,
Steve
Which episode?
Didn’t hear the Brew Strong episode. But Mitch Steele says in his blog that in beers using using high % of crystal malts: “oxidized crystal malt characters will also mask and hasten the loss of hop flavor, which is why many of the best IPA brewers use very little to no crystal malts in their IPAs.” I trust his knowledge.
Total BS IMO. Use whatever you like, but use it wisely.
I thought using high percentages of crystal in IPA was out of fashion now anyway…
It mostly is from a flavor standpoint, but I believe the reference now is more about its possible tendency for oxidation. Not having heard this podcast, I can’t say that for sure, but I’ve heard and seen references about the oxidation. Are they absolutely accurate? Can’t say. I limit crystal in most beers from a taste preference.
It really did seem out of left field. I’ll see if I can track down the pod cast, but I do like my C60, when taken moderation. 
There are so many reports to the contrary…here are a few…
https://byo.com/stories/issue/item/520-crystal-malt-homebrew-science…"Although crystal malt contains reductones — a class of caramel-type products that are capable of absorbing oxygen in their reduced state — and are thought to act as anti-oxidants, extending the flavor stability of beers, research has failed to show a direct correlation. It may be that beers containing crystal malts contain flavors that mask the effects of oxidation. "
http://www.geterbrewed.com/bairds-crystal-light-malt/…“In all beers they can help prevent the formation of oxidation flavours”
Although I don’t consider any of the references definitive, it certainly shows there is a difference of opinion.
Commenting is pointless without knowing the context. It could have been as simple as don’t sub c60 for c20.
OK, I managed to track it down. It’s in the Podcast on Thermal load, @ about 40:30.
They mention that C60 is more susceptible to staling than any other crystal malts higher or lower. I’d never heard this. Thought it sounded a little suspect but I’m certainly not a malt expert.
I wonder if they simply mean that the malt flavors themselves that come from C60 are more subject to being percieved as oxidized as the beer ages. I use a pretty big punch of English C60 in my old ale and I actually like the flavor of that malt as the beer ages a bit.
+1. Brewers just love to make stuff up, we do it all the time. It makes life more interesting. I’m serious too I think.
Now this might actually make a little bit of sense. Maybe can be mistaken for oxidation even though it’s really not any more or less oxidized than anything else. That I can maybe see, maybe.
You’re no fun.
+1
I recommend avoiding C60 in a Pilsner. I recommend C60 in a bitter.
Listening to it makes it seem like it is mostly a character issue. They also say they like the flavor contributions of a C40 and C80 blend compared to just C60.
Interesting. I am not sure I could pick up those subtle differences in a finished beer.
Sierra Nevada has one Crystal malt stocked for production. Can anyone guess the Lovibond?
Answer C-60.
And their beers must really suffer from oxidation then.
What would they know about brewing consistently good beer?
Totally agree with Denny (as per usual).
Long ago I learned to take any recommendations like the one the OP encountered with a shrug. I particularly reject suggestions not to use specific ingredients and if anything, am prompted to go ahead and experiment with those ingredients.
Individual experimentation is the only thing that provides a definitive answer. Otherwise, you may missing out on an ingredient you really like the contribution of…be it a malt, a hop variety, an adjunct sugar, or other ingredient…and you’d be missing out just because it wasn’t to someone else’s tastes.