Flavor threshold for Caramel Malt?

Ingredients
1

I am planning a Salted Caramel Gose.  I know, it may be vile.  I am going to try it anyway on the chance it might be genius.

I am trying to determine what amount of Caramel 60 to use.  I don’t want it to dominate, but be at the same level as the salt, which is just above the perception level.  So in a five gallon batch, what is the threshold for picking up caramel 60 in a light beer like a Gose?

BTW I chose 60 because of its pronounced caramel flavor…and I think the Gose should have a caramel color as well.

Here is my tentative recipe:

5 lbs 8.0 oz White Wheat Malt (2.4 SRM)  57.8 %
3 lbs 8.0 oz Pilsner Malt (Rahr) (1.7 SRM)  36.8 %
4.2 oz Acidulated (BestMälz) (1.5 SRM)  2.8 %
4.0 oz Caramel Malt - 60L 2-Row (Cargill) (60.0 SRM) 2.6 %
0.50 oz Santiam [6.00 %] - Boil 60.0 min  8.9 IBUs
21.27 g Salt (Boil 5.0 mins) 
1.0 pkg German Ale/Kolsch (White Labs #WLP029) [35.49 ml] Yeast 10 -

Gravity, Alcohol Content and Color

Est Original Gravity: 1.042 SG
Est Final Gravity: 1.008 SG
Estimated Alcohol by Vol: 4.4 %
Bitterness: 8.9 IBUs
Est Color: 4.4 SRM

2

Man I would think you are going to need more than 4 oz to meet your flavor and color goals. I don’t think 4 oz in this beer will give much caramel perception but I could be way off. I personally would start with a pound if you aren’t getting caramel flavor components from anything else like vanilla. I will let the more experienced take it from here.

3

I agree with goschman. You’re not going to get much flavor unless you use at least a half to a full pound.

4

The OP is only looking for a hint of caramel flavor so 1 pound looks like too much.  I think it would be hard to recognize the caramel without some sweetness contribution so 8 ounces might be the “sweet” spot.

5

Good point. I guess when I think caramel, I think sweetness as a byproduct which probably is not desired in a Gose.

Depending on what is considered a ‘caramel’ color, 4.4 SRM ain’t gonna do it…

6

Since the OP is making a sour, its possible to mash with 4 oz caramel and then to add caramel later if desired.

7

I bumped it to half a pound.  I’m hoping for something like the green apple/caramel suckers.  Tart, caramel, salt.  It will probably be icky, but…