Simpsons | Black Malt | per lb

Simpsons Black Malt is an intensely dark British roasted malt that adds deep color, clean dryness, subtle cocoa, and sharp roasted complexity to beer. Made from malted barley and roasted at higher temperatures than Chocolate Malt, it is an extremely versatile specialty grain for everything from subtle color adjustment to coal-black Porters and dark lagers.

At approximately 538–713° Lovibond, Simpsons Black Malt provides tremendous coloring power. Small additions can produce deep amber and reddish hues, while larger amounts can push a beer toward an opaque, nearly black appearance.

Despite its extreme color, the flavor can be surprisingly restrained when used sparingly. Expect a relatively neutral roasted profile with subtle cocoa and a clean, dry finish. As the percentage increases, its sharper roasted character becomes more noticeable, allowing brewers to control both color and roast intensity through the amount used.

Simpsons Black Malt is made from malted barley, which helps distinguish it from unmalted Roasted Barley. Compared with Roasted Barley, it generally provides a smoother, less intensely dry coffee-like character, while still contributing the sharp roasted complexity expected from a very dark malt.

This makes it particularly useful in Porter, Black IPA, Black Lager, London Brown Ale, and other dark beers. Small amounts can also be used when you simply need to deepen color without making roast the defining flavor of the beer.

Why Brew With Simpsons Black Malt?

• Traditional British black malt
• Approximately 538–713°L
• Made from malted barley
• Extremely powerful color contribution
• Subtle cocoa and relatively neutral roast at lower usage rates
• Clean, dry finish
• Sharper roasted character becomes more noticeable as usage increases
• Small additions can create deep amber and red hues
• Larger additions can produce an opaque, coal-black appearance
• Smoother and less dry than Roasted Barley
• Recommended at up to approximately 10% of the grain bill
• Excellent for Porter, London Brown Ale, Black IPA, Black Lager, Stout, and other dark beer styles

For brewers looking for intense dark color with control over roasted flavor, Simpsons Black Malt is an exceptionally versatile specialty grain. Use a small amount for color adjustment and subtle cocoa-like complexity, or increase the percentage when you want deep black color and a more assertive roasted character in Porters, Black IPAs, dark lagers, and other dark beers.