Marzen without Vienna

[Brewer #450121]

I am looking at a Marzen recipe that does not include Vienna malt; just pilsner and munich along with biscut and aromatics. What flavor profile will I get without Vienna??

 

[Bigbre04]

Biscuit malt and Aromatic are very similar. I might choose one or the other. What else do you have on hand? Some mid Crystal is acceptable.

To me, vienna adds a slight sweetness where munich adds a more complex grainy flavor.

what recipe are you look at?

i have a couple similar recipes posted here talking about marzens/fest beers/viennas
https://www.brewersfriend.com/forum/threads/fest-beer.18049/#post-216617

 

[Josh Hughes]

For my Marzen I mix pils and Munich in mine. Enough Munich for 7-8 srm. Red x is a nice super Munich and you can use more pils in your ratio with it. Under 5% of a caramunich is ok but you don’t want more. These are rich toast not caramel beers. This year I did put a pound of Vienna since I had a pound I bough and hadn’t used in the beer it was intended for.

Festbiers are golden pale. Pils with enough Munich to be golden, 4-5 srm.

 

[Dave Y]

German lagers exude balance and too heavy on the Vienna will get you a lager that is a little too sweet, ‘caramel-y’ in taste like Josh is saying. Munich, MII, Pils, and some Vienna can all contribute to a great Märzen, just go with the profile you want as your base malt.

I agree with @Bigbre04 on the biscuit and aromatics. If you go that direction, use with restraint.

 

[Brewer #450121]

Biscuit malt and Aromatic are very similar. I might choose one or the other. What else do you have on hand? Some mid Crystal is acceptable.

To me, vienna adds a slight sweetness where munich adds a more complex grainy flavor.

what recipe are you look at?

i have a couple similar recipes posted here talking about marzens/fest beers/viennas
https://www.brewersfriend.com/forum/threads/fest-beer.18049/#post-216617

Hi thanks for the reply. Here is the recipe I am considering
https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/161127

 

[Bigbre04]

Hi thanks for the reply. Here is the recipe I am considering
https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/161127

that looks good.

i would expect that to be tasty.

 

[Brewer #450121]

Thanks everyone for the advice and guidance. I will report back results in October

 

[Brewer #450121]

One more.... are aromatic, biscut typically crushed

 

[Bigbre04]

One more.... are aromatic, biscut typically crushed

yup. all of it should be milled. what setup are you using?

 

[Brewer #450121]

Thanks. Doing BIAB and bottle condition

 

[Sandy Feet]

If BIAB, you might want to do a longer mash on that. You only have about 50% of you grains that are going to convert well. You may want to go with at least some of the lighter Munich too. Vienna gives it some nuttiness. Munich will definitely make it very malt forward, especially at that level.

 

[Josh Hughes]

This is the Oktoberfest Marzen I brewed Saturday. Hit FG this morning. It does have Vienna but you can add a 50/50 mix of Pilsner and Munich to replace the Vienna. 1.056-1.012 5.8% and 24 ibu
https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/1577521/oktoberfest-25

 

[Brewer #450121]

If BIAB, you might want to do a longer mash on that. You only have about 50% of you grains that are going to convert well. You may want to go with at least some of the lighter Munich too. Vienna gives it some nuttiness. Munich will definitely make it very malt forward, especially at that level.

Thank you for the guidance on the mash; may explain why I missed my SG on my last batch.

 

[Brewer #450121]

This is the Oktoberfest Marzen I brewed Saturday. Hit FG this morning. It does have Vienna but you can add a 50/50 mix of Pilsner and Munich to replace the Vienna. 1.056-1.012 5.8% and 24 ibu
https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/recipe/view/1577521/oktoberfest-25

Thanks, yes the recipe has a 50/50 mix so will give it a try. Goiod luck with your brew