Carafa III

Maximum Color, Minimum Harshness • Dehusked Smoothness • Jet-Black Elegance

Carafa III is the darkest of the German Carafa malts, prized for delivering jet-black color with an exceptionally smooth, mild roast character. Because the husk — the source of most roasted-malt astringency — has been removed before roasting, this dehusked malt darkens a beer dramatically while staying gentle on the palate.

With a color rating of 525 °Lovibond, Carafa III out-colors even black patent malt, yet its 32 PPG of extract and dehusked smoothness make it a far softer-spoken ingredient. Tiny additions produce striking results.

Flavor & Aroma Profile

• Very smooth, mild roast character
• Subtle coffee and dark cocoa notes
• Dehusked — virtually no astringency
• Intense black color contribution
• Clean, soft finish even in dark beers

Used in small amounts, Carafa III is essentially an elegant coloring tool, turning a beer black while barely registering on the palate. Larger additions bring a refined, velvety roast — deep but never burnt or acrid.

Brewing Applications

Carafa III is a staple ingredient in many refined dark styles, including:

• Schwarzbier
• Black IPA
• Baltic Porter
• International Dark Lager
• Dunkles Bock
• Imperial Stout
• Black Saison

It is also ideal for color correction in any recipe where added roast flavor would be unwelcome.

Usage Recommendations

Due to its extreme coloring power, Carafa III is typically used at 1–5% of the total grain bill. One or two percent will take most beers to black with hardly any flavor shift, while the upper end contributes a smooth, understated roast depth.

In black IPAs and dark lagers, pair Carafa III with a clean base malt and let it handle color alone; in stouts, blend it with roasted barley to soften the overall roast profile.

Specifications

• PPG (Points Per Pound Per Gallon): 32
• Color: 525 °Lovibond
• Flavor Notes: Smooth roast, deep color, mild, dehusked
• Usage Rate: 1–5% of grain bill
• Beer Styles: Schwarzbiers, black IPAs, Baltic porters, dark lagers

Whether you're perfecting a schwarzbier, building a hop-driven black IPA, or pushing a porter to true black, Carafa III delivers maximum darkness with the smoothest roast in brewing.