I will be brewing an Alt style beer with a 1.5% addition of Breiss Midnight Wheat for color only. First Alt beer, 1st iteration. Estimated color is 11.6 SRM. Question is, will mashing that small amount of grain in the main mash impart a roasted flavor to the beer? (my brain says no) If I don’t add to main mash and add only at the beginning of the sparge will that affect my color? (my brain says yes)
I have used about the same amount of ~550L black malt in mashes before where all I was looking for was color, and a hint of roast flavor did in fact come through. Midnight wheat is roasted about the same level, so I think it would indeed impart a subtle roast flavor if mashed the entire time. A 300-400L grain would be a safer bet.
I’ve never added a roasted grain just to the sparge, so I have no experience with what kind of color and flavor (if any) gets extracted that way.
No it will not.
If you’re concerned about roasted flavors you might consider a dehusked roast malt or Sinamar. They have a more subdued roast taste.
I’ve switched to adding grains like that to when I start my sparge water. I’m getting the color I want and the more nuanced notes I want. If you really just want the color and the points aren’t important, don’t even bother with milling it.
Thanks!!