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Image of Briess Carapils Dextrin malt for adding body and head retention to beers, grain in circular shape.

Briess Carapils® Dextrin Malt for Body & Head Retention

by Briess
$0.19 - $83.18
$0.19
$0.19 - $83.18
$0.19

We sell grain in one-ounce increments (16 oz = 1 lb) and by bulk bag. When adding grain, select the Recipe # (1, 2, or 3) using the radio buttons to assign it to a specific recipe. We’ll accurately weigh your order and combine all grains assigned to the same recipe into one labeled bag. If you’d like any grain kept separate, choose “Keep Separate” or note it in Cart Notes. Milling is available on request, simply check the appropriate checkbox below. View our Grain Ordering Guide here to learn more.
Grain Specifications:

  • Maltster: Briess

  • Grain Type: Caramel & Crystal Malts

  • Lovibond: 1.3

  • Category: Barley

  • Notes:

Improve Body and Head Retention Without Changing Flavor

Briess Carapils® Dextrin Malt is a classic dextrin malt used to improve body, mouthfeel, foam retention, and head stability without significantly changing color, aroma, or flavor. It is a go-to choice for brewers who want fuller beer, better foam performance, and improved beer stability while keeping the core character of the recipe intact.

Because Carapils contributes non-fermentable dextrins, it is especially useful in recipes that finish a little too thin, dry out more than expected, or need stronger head retention in the finished beer.

Why Brewers Use Briess Carapils®

  • Improves body and mouthfeel
  • Supports better foam retention and head formation
  • Helps improve beer stability
  • Adds very little color
  • Provides a neutral flavor contribution
  • Useful in both all-grain and extract brewing

Typical Use Cases

  • Lagers and pilsners: Adds body without noticeably changing color or flavor
  • Session beers: Helps low-ABV beers feel less thin
  • IPAs and pale ales: Improves foam retention and overall texture
  • Dark beers: Adds fullness without making the beer sweeter or heavier in flavor
  • Recipes needing more structure: Useful when a beer needs a little more mouthfeel or better head retention

Key Specifications

  • Maltster: Briess
  • Type: Dextrin Malt
  • Lovibond: 1.3°L
  • Usage Rate: Up to 5%
  • Diastatic Power: None
  • Flavor Contribution: Neutral
  • Use In: Mash or steeping applications depending on recipe method

Good to Know

Briess Carapils® is one of the most reliable specialty malts for adding fullness and improving head retention without altering the intended flavor profile of your beer. If you want to improve texture and foam quality while keeping your recipe balanced and clean, Carapils is an easy ingredient to work into the grain bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer grain milling services?

Yes, we provide grain milling services free of charge before shipping. To have your grain milled, please select the "Yes, please mill my grain" option on each grain product before adding it to your cart. We use a high-end, 3-roller mill from Spike, set to a standard gap of 4.5, which achieves optimal cracking while minimizing excessive flour. If you prefer a coarser or finer mill, leave a note in the shopping cart, and we’ll adjust it to your preference.

If we notice that most grains were selected for milling but a few were not, we will assume it was an oversight and mill all of them. If your intention is different, please clarify in the shopping cart notes section.

How do you ensure accuracy when weighing grains?

We take great care to ensure that you receive the correct grains in the exact quantities needed for your recipe. Our multi-step process ensures precision, starting with weighing each grain type individually to an accuracy of 0.08 ounces. After that, we perform a final check by weighing the combined total to confirm accuracy. Your total grain weight will always be slightly over the ordered amount, never under, and always within an acceptable range for even the most detail-oriented brewers (like ourselves).

How are grains packaged before shipment?

We provide a convenient recipe-building tool to streamline the process for you, our team, and the environment. We encourage you to use this tool to build your recipes, ensuring you get exactly what you’ve ordered in the correct quantities. By combining all the grains for a single recipe into one bag, we help speed up your brew day, reduce packaging waste, and save time during order fulfillment. Rest assured, we prioritize accuracy when measuring and packing your grains.