Special B Malt - Castle Malting

What is Château Special Belgium®?

Château Special Belgium®, previously known as Château Special B®, is a traditional Belgian dark malt created through a unique double-roasting process. This process results in a dark, versatile malt that intensifies both colour and flavour, perfect for producing deep red to dark brown beers with a bold, full-bodied character.

How to Use Château Special Belgium®

Château Special Belgium® can be incorporated into a grain bill up to 10% of the mix, making it an ideal choice for styles that need a deep, rich flavour profile without the bitterness that darker malts can sometimes add. Its adaptability allows it to be used in anything from abbey ales and dubbels to porters and doppelbocks.

Flavour Profile

This malt is celebrated for its raisin and plum notes alongside a nutty depth, which adds complexity to any beer style it’s used in. The profile enhances the malt backbone and contributes a dark, roasted sweetness with a nuanced malty taste.

Enzymatic Activity

As a specialty malt with a robust roast, Château Special Belgium® has low enzymatic activity. It’s often combined with base malts to ensure adequate enzymatic strength for starch conversion during mashing.

Mashing

When mashing Château Special Belgium®, combining with high-enzyme base malts optimises extraction. A controlled mash temperature will help to balance its intensity with other malt flavours.

Combining with Other Malts

Château Special Belgium® pairs well with lighter roasted malts, caramel malts, and traditional base malts to enhance the beer’s complexity while maintaining balance. This malt is versatile enough to substitute chocolate or black malts in recipes where a softer roast character is preferred.

Benefits of Château Special Belgium®

• Adds a deep, complex colour to darker beers
• Brings rich flavours without high bitterness
• Versatile for various dark ale and lager styles

History

This malt represents a historical brewing heritage in Belgium, with Castle Malting®’s process preserving the authentic qualities of the classic Château Special B®, giving brewers a trusted, quality malt to elevate their craft beers.

Key Features:

• Moisture Content: Max 6%
• Extract (Dry Basis): Min 77%
• Wort Colour: 260–320 EBC
• Roasting Temperature: Double roasted
• Usage: Up to 10% of the mix
• Flavour Profile: Raisin, plum, nutty, malty depth
• Applications: Abbey ales, dubbels, porters, brown ales, doppelbocks
• Beer Styles: Ideal for darker, full-bodied beer styles