Amylase Enzymes

[BREWsmith]

I received a couple vilas of amylase enzymes by mistake. I understand this is sometimes added to the mash particulary is using a lot of unmodified grains. Does anyone regularly use it?

[Don]

What ive found Amylase is really only used when you are trying to convert a lot of specialty grains (flaked wheat, oats, honey malt, etc) and your base malt is not high in enzymes (some Munich malts for example).

Can be usefull for a PM brewer that wants to use a non-coverting grain in their recipe without using a base malt along side it. Canadian Malting Liquid Extract (sold in giant bins to ubrews) has amylase added to it, making it a diastatic malt extract.

Also used to convert potatoes, corn, rice, etc for er.. experimental reasons. Usually sold along with an abundence of coiled copper tubing...

[psfred]

There are also enzymes around to break down the glucan linkages that alpha and beta amylase won't -- they are used to make Lite beer by reducing the residual carbohydrate content (it's converted to maltose and glucose, which the yeast convert to alcohol).

Can also be used to lower the final gravity of a beer and make more alcohol.

Peter