Flaked Maize - 500g

Flaked Maize (also known as corn) is a common adjunct used in brewing to lighten the body and flavor of beer. Here are its key characteristics and how it affects beer:

Characteristics of Flaked Maize in Beer

1. Lightens Body:

   • Flaked maize reduces the overall body and mouthfeel of the beer. It produces a lighter, crisper beer compared to all-barley malt recipes, which is why it's often used in lighter beer styles like American lagers.

2. Neutral Flavor:

   • Maize adds very little flavor on its own. Its flavor contribution is typically described as subtle, with a slight sweetness and a hint of corn-like character. This can help showcase the hop or malt flavors in the beer without overwhelming them.

3. Increased Fermentable Sugars:

   • Flaked maize provides highly fermentable sugars, which can increase the alcohol content without significantly affecting the flavor profile. This is why it's often used in high-gravity brews.

4. Lighter Color:

   • Because maize does not darken the beer like malted barley, it helps keep the color light, making it ideal for pale lagers and light ales.

5. Crisper Finish:

   • Due to the lower levels of proteins and unfermentable sugars compared to barley, maize helps produce a crisper, cleaner finish, which is highly desirable in certain beer styles like Pilsners and Cream Ales.

6. Improves Clarity:

   • Since flaked maize has less protein than barley, it helps improve beer clarity, reducing haze, especially in lighter styles. It also can aid in producing a more brilliant, clear appearance in the final product.

7. Cost-Effective:

   • Historically, maize has been used as a cost-effective adjunct, as it is cheaper than barley malt. This was one reason for its use in mass-produced lagers.

Beer Styles That Use Flaked Maize

• American Lagers: Classic American light lagers, such as macro-brewed beers like Budweiser and Coors, often use flaked maize to achieve their light, refreshing taste and high drinkability.
• Cream Ales: These ales often use flaked maize to provide a crisp finish and balance malt sweetness with a slightly smoother mouthfeel.
• Blonde Ales: Maize can help create a light body and color while maintaining a subtle sweetness in these easy-drinking beers.
• Adjunct Lagers: Many mass-produced lagers use maize for its fermentability and to lighten the body and taste.

Usage in Brewing

• Mash-In Ready: Flaked maize is pre-gelatinized, meaning it can be added directly to the mash without additional preparation, unlike raw corn, which requires cooking.
• Proportion: Typically used in quantities ranging from 10% to 30% of the grain bill, depending on the desired effect on body, flavor, and alcohol content.

In summary, flaked maize lightens the body, adds fermentable sugars without strong flavors, and contributes to a crisper, cleaner finish, making it ideal for various light beer styles.