The best malt extract for a beer depends on the flavour, colour, and mouthfeel you want to achieve. Light caramel malt extracts such as CB30/65 are ideal for premium lagers and golden ales, while darker crystal and roasted malt extracts such as CB400/65 and RB Smooth are better suited to porters and stouts. Brewers can use specialty malt extracts to improve colour consistency, enhance body, build malt complexity, and create specific flavour profiles without major process changes.
We offer a diverse range of malt concentrates designed for everything from crisp premium lagers to rich stouts and specialty ales.
In this guide, we'll match popular ingredients with the beer styles where they perform best and explain what they contribute to the finished beer.
|
Beer Style |
Recommended Malt Extract |
Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Premium Lager | CB30/65 | Body and subtle malt sweetness |
|
Golden Ale |
CB30/65 |
Colour and drinkability |
|
Amber Ale |
CB120/65 |
Caramel flavour and amber colour |
|
Doppelbock |
CB220/65 |
Rich malt complexity |
|
Porter |
CB400/65 |
Dark caramel character |
|
Red Ale |
RUBY |
Distinctive red colour |
|
Stout |
RB Smooth |
Chocolate and coffee notes |
|
Alcohol-Free Beer |
ZEBRA / ZAB/65 |
Mouthfeel and foam stability |
What it is:
A 100% caramalt concentrate that delivers light caramel sweetness, improved body, and enhanced colour.
Best beer styles:
Why it works:
CB30/65 adds subtle malt richness without overpowering delicate hop character. In premium lagers, it helps create a fuller mouthfeel and a more premium drinking experience. For golden ales, it contributes a gentle honey-like sweetness and attractive golden colour.
Brewer's tip:
Use when your beer needs a little more body and malt character but you want to maintain a bright, highly drinkable profile.
What it is:
A cara/crystal malt blend that provides sweet crystal malt flavour and deeper amber colour.
Best beer styles:
Why it works:
Amber beers thrive on balanced caramel flavours. CB120/65 contributes the sweet toffee and light caramel notes that define many amber and malt-forward lager styles while creating an appealing reddish-amber hue.
Brewer's tip:
Excellent for building malt complexity while keeping the beer approachable and sessionable.
What it is:
A bolder cara/crystal malt blend designed for beers requiring more intense malt character and colour.
Best beer styles:
Why it works:
The richer crystal profile of CB220/65 delivers deeper caramelised flavours and supports the robust malt backbone expected in stronger European-inspired beers.
Brewer's tip:
Pair with noble hops to let the malt complexity shine.
What it is:
A dark crystal malt concentrate that provides intense crystal malt flavour and rich copper-red coloration.
Best beer styles:
Why it works:
Porters rely on layers of caramel, biscuit, and dark sugar flavours. CB400/65 provides those characteristics while helping achieve the classic deep copper-to-brown appearance associated with the style.
Brewer's tip:
Combine with roast malt extracts for additional complexity in stronger porters.
What it is:
A roasted malt extract with toasted, nutty flavors and amber-brown colour contribution.
Best beer styles:
Why it works:
RB3/65 provides the classic roasted grain characteristics that give red/brown ales their signature depth. The roasted and slightly nutty notes complement dark malts while maintaining balance.
Brewer's tip:
A little goes a long way. Small additions can add depth and complexity without creating excessive roast bitterness.
What it is:
A caramelised roast malt extract known for its distinctive dark copper-red colour.
Best beer styles:
Why it works:
RUBY delivers the striking visual appeal consumers expect from red ales while providing supporting caramel malt flavours.
Brewer's tip:
Ideal when colour consistency is critical across multiple production batches.
What it is:
A smooth roast malt extract featuring mocha and chocolate notes.
Best beer styles:
Why it works:
RB Smooth provides smooth roast chocolate and coffee character that supports the character of stouts and porters.
Brewer's tip:
An excellent choice for smooth stout and porters.
What they are:
Clean-tasting pale malt extracts developed specifically for reduced, low, and no-alcohol applications.
Best beer styles:
Why they work:
One of the biggest challenges in no-alcohol brewing is maintaining body and mouthfeel. ZEBRA and ZAB/65 provide clean malt flavor, foam stability, and fullness that can otherwise be lost during alcohol reduction.
Brewer's tip:
Use as a foundation when developing premium non-alcoholic beer programs.
When selecting a malt extract, consider the flavour profile, colour target, and mouthfeel requirements of your finished beer.
Our malt extracts can be used for a variety of different brewing applications across many beer styles. We are even able to provide customized solutions through our bespoke blends to be able to suit specific project goals. To learn more about how our products can enhance your brewing project contact us to set up a meeting today!