When it comes to brewing, no ingredients hold as much sway over a beer’s character as malt. Some of our customers have described malt as the “soul” or “backbone” of beer. And when you think of malt flavor—rich, bready, toasty—Munich malt is iconic.
Munich malt is known across the globe for its potent “malt” character, driven by intense kilning and promotion of the Maillard reaction throughout the malting process. While the distinct characteristics of the style are typically associated with the kilning process, adjustments through the entire malting process are required to attain the intricate and complex flavor profiles found in the finished products.
Steps to increase levels of growth and modification are often utilized to promote the availability of simple sugars. The use of higher protein barley, paired with increased levels of modification, also leads to an increase in free amino acids. These adjustments to the steeping and germination steps are critical because those products are the precursors that act as the primary reactants in the Maillard reaction. They are ultimately responsible for creating the aroma-intense melanoidins that generate the classic “malty” flavor associated with Munich malt.
Despite invoking a fairly universal set of flavor characteristics, Munich malt isn’t a one-size-fits-all ingredient. The market is flooded with Munich malts that vary wildly in SRM, flavor, and intensity. And while that existing diversity is great, we saw an opportunity to create something special—a malt that delivers all the classic, rich flavors of Munich malt but with a lower color impact and unique flavor profile.
We wanted complexity without overwhelming intensity, a malt that could shine in traditional styles like Belgian, Bock, Vienna, Oktoberfest, and Amber-style beers while also providing a malty backbone for modern lagers and even hop-forward IPAs.
After countless trials, we found the combination of processes that produced the malt we were looking for: Lighthouse™ Munich Malt. With a name inspired by the Manitowoc Breakwater Lighthouse—an iconic landmark seen daily from the top of the Briess grain elevator—this malt is a beacon of flavor, guiding brewers to create extraordinary beers.
At just 6 SRM, Lighthouse™ Munich may be lighter in color, but don’t be fooled—it’s packed with a rich flavor profile. Expect a bold, bready character complemented by notes of pretzel, nutty, and honey.
A carefully crafted kilning process preserves just a hint of grainy and grassy notes, adding layers of complexity and versatility to its sensory profile.
Kilning, combined with our unique malting recipe, allows for preservation of the natural malt enzymes at a level that allows rapid conversion, typical levels of attenuation, and seamless integration with other specialty malts or adjuncts. Whether you’re crafting a crisp lager or a malt-forward amber, Lighthouse™ Munich is here to light the way. With this malt as your foundation, the only limit to your malty masterpiece is your imagination. Cheers to new possibilities!