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Special B

specialty malt · Dingemans · Belgium

Belgian double-roasted crystal malt from Dingemans. The darkest crystal malt available, producing intense raisin, dark dried fruit, plum, and light roast notes. Used in small quantities for colour and complexity in Belgian and dark sour styles.

raisindark dried fruitplumcaramellight roast

2 brews

About

Dingemans Special B is a Belgian double-roasted crystal malt and the darkest crystal malt commonly available. Its intense raisin, plum and dark-dried-fruit character, edged with a faint roast and burnt-toffee note, is unmistakable and is the signature malt of Belgian dubbels. Used in small amounts it adds remarkable colour and dried-fruit complexity; pushed too far it turns harsh and overpowering.

Specs

Colour
270–310 EBC
Extract (FD)
70–74%
Max usage
10%
Moisture max
6.5%
Diastatic power
0 °WK

Usage

No diastatic power; mash with a base malt. Use sparingly — typically 2–8% (up to ~10%) — as its flavour is intense. Classic for Belgian Dubbel and dark strong ales, and effective in small additions to amber ales and dark sours for dried-fruit depth.

In your brews

Used in 2 brews 2024-11-30 → 2025-12-21
Total used 0.4 kg
Grain bill 2.7%

Styles brewed

23B Flanders Red Ale
2

Used in