Briess | Black Malt | per lb

Briess Black Malt is an intensely dark roasted barley malt used to add deep brown-to-black color and dry roasted character to beer. At approximately 500° Lovibond, even small additions can significantly darken a beer, making Black Malt useful both as a flavor ingredient in dark beers and as a color-adjustment malt in a wide range of styles.

Its flavor ranges from dry and sharply roasted to relatively neutral, depending on how much is used. At low percentages, Black Malt can provide substantial color with surprisingly little flavor impact. At higher percentages, its dry roasted character becomes increasingly noticeable.

Compared with Roasted Barley, Black Malt is less focused on intense coffee-like flavor, making it useful when you want deep color without making roasted coffee the dominant character. In Stouts, it can be combined with Roasted Barley to increase color while balancing the overall roast profile. In Porters, pairing it with Chocolate Malt can build deep color and layered roast without relying entirely on chocolate flavor.

Because of its powerful color contribution, Black Malt is also useful in very small quantities outside traditional dark beers. A small addition can deepen the color of a recipe without substantially changing its overall flavor.

How Much Briess Black Malt Should You Use?

• 1–3% – Color adjustment with little to no noticeable flavor contribution
• 1–10% – Adds progressively deeper color and dry roasted character in Porters, Stouts, and other dark beers

Why Brew With Briess Black Malt?

• Approximately 500°L
• Produces deep brown-to-black color
• Dry, sharp roasted character at higher usage rates
• Can provide substantial color with minimal flavor when used sparingly
• Less coffee-forward than Roasted Barley
• Excellent for adjusting beer color
• Works well alongside Roasted Barley and Chocolate Malt
• Useful for building layered roast character in dark beers
• Recommended at 1–3% for color adjustment
• Use approximately 1–10% in Porter and Stout
• Excellent for Porter, Stout, Dark Ale, dark European-style beers, and color adjustment in other beer styles

For brewers looking for powerful dark color with control over the amount of roasted flavor, Briess Black Malt is a versatile specialty grain. Use a small amount to adjust color with minimal flavor impact, or increase the percentage in Porters and Stouts when you want a more noticeable dry, sharp roasted malt character.