chocolate malt instaed of black malt?!

[ploar]

have got a free night to brew 2mrw nite but dont have any black malt to use. would chocolate malt be a good substitute or is black malt just a colouring agent??? if so should i just add a bit more pale or crystal malt to replace the black. it is for a best bitter (top secret recipe)

[6470zzy]

Black will give you the deep dark colour and a sharp roasted flavour, chocolate will give more of a brown colour and a chocolaty nutty taste.

Cheers

[Billy Hunt]

I accidently put chocalate malt instead of black malt in a T.T.Landlord clone a few weeks ago and the brew has turned out allright. Tastes nothing like T.T. Landlord though.

[GARYSMIFF]

"Tastes nothing like T.T. Landlord though."

Thats the stuff, Brew your Own, sh1t should I have said Brew your Own, oh well.

The Question is does it taste Better ?

[Dr. Dextrin]

Black malt gives a coppery colour (i.e. with a red tinge) typical of many bitters. Chocolate malt gives more of an amber colour. I find chocolate also gives more taste for the same amount of colour.

[Scooby]

If it's a small amount say 20-40g just for colour I'd leave it out as you won't notice a flavour difference. Chocolate adds a rich flavour and I find small amounts in bitter very pleasant. See Ringwood beers in GW's latest.

[booldawg]

Black Malt is pretty much for colour only whereas with Chocolate you're looking for colour and some of that flavour!