Light LME Vs Amber LME in Stout

Ingredients
1

Happy Beer Day everybody!

I was picking up the ingredients for an American Stout (originally a Obsidian Stout clone) and when I got to the LME part of my shopping list I saw I had just written down “7lbs LME” and not what type of LME. The helpful employee at the hombrew store guided me to an amber LME.

When I got home and looked at my recipe I saw it called for Light LME. I used what I bought and that beer is bubbling away now.
What I am wondering is: what folks would expect the difference to be from using the Amber instead of light on a stout?
Cheers all!

2

Amber LME is made with a higher percentage of crystal malt typically (and maybe some dark roasted grains), so you’ll likely get a richer and more caramel-heavy flavor than if you had only light LME. For an American stout, that should hold up to the ingredient switch, so I think this recipe will still be perfectly drinkable!

3 Likes
3

I agree with Andy Farke. Your beer will be different than intended but still good and still a stout.

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4

I vaguely recall Amber might have a bit of Munich along with the crystal. I think it’s just fine.

5

Briess Sparkling Amber has Caramel 60 and Munich. I thought I had the actual percentages somewhere but now I can’t find it…

Edit: I found 30% base, 13% Caramel 60, 54% Munich, 3% black in an old spreadsheet; but I can’t figure out where I got those numbers.

6

That grain bill may be Briess Traditional Dark DME/LME (see this LME PDF from Briess).

There are some topics over in HomeBrewTalk regarding various brands of amber DME/LME.If there is interest here, I may be wiling to offer some links. Otherwise, for an amber ale, 85% base malt and 15% (C40/60 / Munch 10L) can be a good starting point.

7

Thanks for the feedback. I racked it off Thursday and it is very dark. I look forward to trying it, although I also look forward to trying all of my homebrews. :slight_smile:

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Just for another input to this thread. I always use dark DME WHen I need to boost the gravity in the kettle for a stout. It is more caramelly and to my palate adds more flavor to the beer FWIW.