Malt Flavours

Characteristics by malt type

Caramalt Crystal up to colour 110 EBC, Caramalt
Chocolate Chocolate, Black
Coffee Very dark Crystal
Treacle Crystal over 240 EBC colour
Smoky Smoked/Peated
Phenolic Peated
Cereal Wheat, Ale
Sweet Ale, Amber, Munich
Burnt Black, Roasted Barley or Malt
Nutty Caramalt, Ale
Green Lager, High Enzyme, Diastatic
Sulphury DMS, Lager, Sulphitic and Sulphidic
Solvent Should not be present in any malt type
Toffee Crystal up to colour 240 EBC

Flavour Wheel

Malt sensory analysis

Although malt tasting is not currently any part of the malt specification, it does offer possibilities to differentiate both positive and negative flavours. Conventional malt analysis may suggest that malts are identical however their flavours could well differ significantly.

We use a method to fully describe the profile of malt using a ‘porridge’ made by grinding whole malts with a small amount of water which helps in the tasting process.

The malt flavour wheel has allowed us to create distinct flavour profiles for the wide range of malts and malted ingredients we produce.

Available pack sizes

Planet - Pale Ale Malt

Planet is a spring barley variety, now replacing Propino as the most popular spring brewing variety of malting barley grown in the UK. Planet has proved to be so versatile, it has become a very widely grown cereal variety. We are blessed in the UK with arguably the prime climate for barley growing. Couple this with the extreme care taken during the malting process by our malting team, and the result is outstanding. Our Pale and Extra Pale malts made from Planet malting barley are considered by many to be some of the finest Spring barley malts available. 

Applications: 

Planet has a high yield and performs very well in the brewhouse. We recommend a mashing temperature of at least 65°C as this is the average gelatinisation temperature for this variety. Mashing at a lower temperature could cause a slow conversion or even stall as the starch might not fully gelatinise. Planet has a cereal-forward taste complemented with a mild nuttiness, imparted because of its slightly higher attenuation level. It has a lower ‘masking’ effect than Venture or Maris Otter® leading to an increase in the impact of aroma hops and yeast aromas. Care must be taken as this also means that any brewing errors are less easily covered. In our tests, Planet has performed very well and feedback from brewers using this variety has been very positive, particularly with extract levels and flavour profiles. This traditional pale malt is ideal for classic top fermented beers. Suitable for IPA’s, bitters, golden ales and light beers. Pale is slightly darker and “maltier” than lager malt, whilst the extra pale is similar in colour to lager malts but with pale malt qualities. 

Typical Analysis:

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Muntons’ worldwide Agents & Distributors

Meet the brewing and distilling team

Joseph Fifield
Brewing & Distilling Malt Sales Manager
London, Southern England & Wales
“If I were a beer, I’d be a milk chocolate stout, full bodied and sweet, but with a rugged appearance.”
Adam Darnes
Brewing & Distilling Malt Sales Manager
Midlands, Yorkshire & Lancashire
“If I were a beer, I’d be called Sunday Session – A Lively, fun and hoppy Saison. Bold and Zesty, a very sessionable, laid back and easy drinking beer.”
David Hannah
Brewing & Distilling Malt Sales Manager
Scotland & Northern England
“If I were a beer, I would be a straight up, flagship IPA. It would be reliable, consistent, full of flavour and probably a little louder than other beers”

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