Briess Caramel 20L Malt 50 lb

Briess Caramel Malt 20L is a light/medium crystal malt that delivers balanced caramel sweetness, enhanced body, and a rich golden color to a wide variety of beer styles. Produced through a specialized stewing and roasting process that converts starches into sugars within the kernel before caramelization, this malt develops flavors of caramel, honey, light toffee, and sweet bread crust. Its moderate color and flavor contribution make it one of the most versatile crystal malts available to brewers.

In the brewing process, Caramel 20L contributes unfermentable dextrins that improve body, mouthfeel, and head retention while adding a smooth malt sweetness. It is widely used in Pale Ales, IPAs, Blonde Ales, Amber Ales, Red Ales, Wheat Beers, and many specialty craft beer styles. The malt helps balance hop bitterness while adding complexity without creating an overly sweet finish.

What makes Briess Caramel Malt 20L unique compared to Caramel 10L is its slightly deeper caramel flavor and richer golden-amber color contribution. While Caramel 10L emphasizes honey-like sweetness and subtle malt richness, Caramel 20L develops more noticeable caramel and light toffee notes. Compared to Caramel 30L and 40L, it remains lighter in color and flavor, providing sweetness and body without the stronger caramelized sugar, toasted bread, and dark toffee characteristics found in darker crystal malts. This balance makes Caramel 20L an excellent choice when brewers want enhanced malt complexity while maintaining a clean, approachable beer profile.

Its versatility allows it to complement both malt-forward and hop-forward recipes, making it a staple crystal malt for a broad range of brewing applications.

Usage Rate: Typically 3 - 15% of the grist

• 3 - 5%: Improved head retention and subtle caramel sweetness
• 5 - 10%: Balanced caramel and honey-like malt character
• 10 - 15%: Fuller body and enhanced malt richness

Color (Lovibond): 20°L

Diastatic Power: 0° Lintner

Flavor Notes: Caramel, honey, light toffee, sweet bread, malt sweetness, light biscuit

Briess Caramel Malt 20L is an excellent choice for brewers seeking a versatile crystal malt that enhances body, foam stability, and malt complexity while contributing a pleasant caramel sweetness and attractive golden-amber color. Its balanced profile makes it suitable for everything from hop forward ales to traditional malt driven beer styles.