Crystal Malt and IBU/GU

[krockett]

Hi lads,

There was a thread here recently where there was a view expressed that if you are using lots of crystal malts you should increase the bitterness by adding hops at 20, 15, 10 and 5 minutes to counteract the Crystal sweetness.

Whats your view on this?

Would going to - say, 1 IBU/GU with a 13% crystal grain bill work - or what are the limits?

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

Depends on what you want to do. Your ibu should be dialed into style and account for your final gravity. High amounts of crystal will add unfermentable dextrins and raise your FG, but so will a higher mash temp and yeast that attenuate less well.

Base your buttering additions on planned FG to get a balanced addition.

You only need to increase or reduce your 60m or first addition, no need to mess about with your late additions

[Pheeel]

Mmmm buttering additions

[TheSumOfAllBeers]

Ugh. Autocorrect.