Bestmalz BEST Black Malt eXtra 1300–1400 EBC — Intensely Roasted Black Malt for Dark & Specialty Beers
Bestmalz BEST Black Malt eXtra is the darkest and most intensely roasted malt in the Bestmalz specialty malt range — a jet-black, extreme-colour roasted malt that delivers black coffee and strong espresso character to the darkest beer styles with a precision and intensity that no lighter roasted malt can approach. Produced by Bestmalz using an intensive roasting process that drives wort colour to an extraordinary 1300–1400 EBC and develops the deepest, most concentrated roast aroma compounds available in a malted grain, BEST Black Malt eXtra is the definitive colour and roast intensity tool for brewers crafting Schwarzbier, Porter, Stout, and any specialty beer where jet-black colour and assertive roasted character are the target.
What makes BEST Black Malt eXtra stand apart from standard black malts and roasted barleys is the precision and consistency of its roasting process and the remarkable foam behaviour it produces. At 1300–1400 EBC, this malt sits at the absolute ceiling of achievable malt colour — a small addition of just a few percent of the grain bill is sufficient to push any beer to a deep black colour, while larger additions intensify the roast aroma from a clean, dry coffee note toward the rich, almost liqueur-like intensity of strong espresso. Despite this extreme roasting level, the beer foam produced with BEST Black Malt eXtra remains light in colour — a technically significant characteristic that preserves the visual contrast of a jet-black beer with a pale, persistent head that defines the classic presentation of the style.
Used at up to 5% of the grain bill, BEST Black Malt eXtra is a high-impact, low-volume addition — a few percentage points is all that is needed to achieve maximum colour depth and serious roast presence, making this a precision instrument rather than a bulk ingredient. The extract yield of minimum 65% on dry basis ensures a meaningful fermentable contribution even at these extreme roasting levels, and the full compliance with the German Purity Law confirms that this malt meets the strictest standards in European brewing production.
Crushed or uncrushed malt Available crushed or uncrushed. Crushed malt should be used within 2–3 weeks for optimal freshness. Uncrushed malt retains full freshness for significantly longer when stored in a cool, dry environment.
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Flavor & Aroma
- Black coffee and strong espresso roast character
- Intensely dry, clean roast bitterness
- Jet-black colour contribution — 1300–1400 EBC
- Light foam colour despite extreme roasting level
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Usage
Lager: Schwarzbier, Black Lager, Dunkel Ale: Porter, Stout, Imperial Stout, Black IPA, Dark Mild Specialty: Bock, Altbier, Starkbier, any very dark to jet-black specialty beer requiring intense roasted character
Typical usage rate: up to 5% of the grain bill. At 1–2% delivers deep black colour with moderate roast presence. At 3–5% produces assertive black coffee and espresso intensity. Start conservatively and adjust in subsequent batches to dial in roast character to style target.
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Quick facts
Brand: Bestmalz Type: Roasted specialty malt — Black Malt eXtra Colour: 1300–1400 EBC / 490–529 L (±10%) Extract yield: min. 65% (dry basis, fine grind) Max. usage rate: 5% of grain bill Foam: Light foam colour retained despite extreme roasting Compliance: German Purity Law, ISO 9001:2015, HACCP Use: Jet-black colour, black coffee and espresso roast character, colour intensification, dark specialty beers