BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley 55 lb Crushed

BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley 55 lb Crushed is a highly roasted specialty grain produced from raw, unmalted barley and designed to deliver intense color and bold roasted character. Unlike roasted malts that begin as malted barley, unmalted roasted barley develops a sharper, drier roast profile that is a defining characteristic of many traditional Irish and British beer styles. It contributes deep black color and robust flavors of espresso, roasted coffee, dark cocoa, burnt toast, and dry roast, making it an essential ingredient in many classic stout recipes.

In the brewing process, BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley is used primarily for color and flavor contribution rather than fermentable extract. Even small additions can dramatically darken a beer while adding layers of roasted complexity and a crisp, dry finish. It is particularly well suited for Irish Stouts, Dry Stouts, Foreign Extra Stouts, Porters, Schwarzbiers, and specialty dark ales where authentic roast character is desired.

What makes BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley unique compared to BlackSwaen Black Malt is its use of raw barley rather than malted barley. While Black Malt contributes a smoother balance of roasted grain, coffee, and dark chocolate notes, Unmalted Barley develops a more assertive espresso roast character with greater dryness and a firmer roasted bite. This sharper profile is one of the reasons roasted barley is considered a signature ingredient in traditional Irish stout brewing.

Compared to Briess Unmalted Roasted Barley, BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley serves a very similar role in the brewhouse, but offers a distinctly European interpretation of roasted barley character. Briess Unmalted Roasted Barley is known for its bold coffee, dark chocolate, and dry roast flavors with a clean, consistent roast profile that works exceptionally well in American and Irish inspired stouts. BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley tends to emphasize a more robust espresso, burnt toast, and roasted grain character with a slightly drier finish, making it particularly attractive for brewers pursuing traditional European stout and porter profiles. Both malts provide intense color and authentic roasted character, but BlackSwaen often leans slightly more roast forward, while Briess can present a somewhat smoother balance between coffee and dark chocolate notes.

Because it contains no malt derived enzymes and undergoes intense roasting, BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley contributes flavor and color rather than starch conversion capability.

Usage Rate: Typically 1 - 8% of the grist

• 1 - 3%: Color enhancement with subtle roast notes
• 3 - 5%: Balanced coffee and espresso character
• 5 - 8%: Pronounced stout-like roast flavor and deep black color

Color (Lovibond): 375°L

Diastatic Power: 0° Lintner

Flavor Notes: Espresso, roasted coffee, dark cocoa, burnt toast, dry roast, roasted grain

BlackSwaen Unmalted Barley is an excellent choice for brewers seeking authentic stout character, intense color, and a clean, dry roasted finish. Its bold espresso flavor and traditional roast profile make it a cornerstone ingredient for Irish stouts, robust porters, and other dark beer styles where classic roasted grain complexity is essential.