Standard Reference Method: Difference between revisions

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The '''Standard Reference Method''', abbreviated as '''SRM''' is the color system used by brewers to measure the color of finished beer and also [[Malt|malts]].  SRM is historically related to the British measurement [[Lovibond]], and the two systems are equivalent for home brewing applications.  SRM is also sometimes referred to '''Standard Research Method''' by some books.    Below are some approximate SRM color ranges.
The '''Standard Reference Method''', abbreviated as '''SRM''' is the color system used by brewers to specify  finished beer and [[Malt|malt]] color. In the case of malt it is actually the SRM color of a laboratory wort made from the malt which is printed on the packageThe SRM value is 12.7 times the log of the attenuation experienced by light of wavelength 430 nanometers (deep blue) in passing through 1 cm of the beer (or wort). The scaling factor (12.7) and path were chosen (1951) to make SRM values correspond closely to values measured in the [[Lovibond]] system which was in use at the time. The two systems are approximately equivalent for home brewing applications.  SRM is also sometimes referred to '''Standard Research Method''' by some books but this is incorrect.    Below are some approximate SRM color ranges.


  1.0 - 3.0 SRM - Pale yellow color
  1.0 - 3.0 SRM - Pale yellow color
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  11.0 - 14.0 SRM - Red/Brown
  11.0 - 14.0 SRM - Red/Brown
  14.0 - 19.0 SRM - Brown
  14.0 - 19.0 SRM - Brown
  20.0 + SRM - Black
  20.0   SRM - Black


A separate color system, called the [[European Brewing Convention]] (EBC) is used to measure beer color in some places in Europe.
The [[European Brewing Convention]] has specified a nearly identical system for beer color reporting. The only difference between SRM and EBC is that in the EBC system the log attenuation is multiplied by 25 rather than 12.7. Thus EBC color is approximately twice SRM color.  
==See Also==
==See Also==
* [[Lovibond]]
* [[Lovibond]]

Latest revision as of 18:29, 23 August 2009

The Standard Reference Method, abbreviated as SRM is the color system used by brewers to specify finished beer and malt color. In the case of malt it is actually the SRM color of a laboratory wort made from the malt which is printed on the package. The SRM value is 12.7 times the log of the attenuation experienced by light of wavelength 430 nanometers (deep blue) in passing through 1 cm of the beer (or wort). The scaling factor (12.7) and path were chosen (1951) to make SRM values correspond closely to values measured in the Lovibond system which was in use at the time. The two systems are approximately equivalent for home brewing applications. SRM is also sometimes referred to Standard Research Method by some books but this is incorrect. Below are some approximate SRM color ranges.

1.0 - 3.0 SRM - Pale yellow color
3.0 - 4.5 SRM - Medium yellow
4.5 - 7.5 SRM - Gold
7.5 - 9.0 SRM - Amber
9.0 - 11.0 SRM - Copper
11.0 - 14.0 SRM - Red/Brown
14.0 - 19.0 SRM - Brown
20.0   SRM - Black

The European Brewing Convention has specified a nearly identical system for beer color reporting. The only difference between SRM and EBC is that in the EBC system the log attenuation is multiplied by 25 rather than 12.7. Thus EBC color is approximately twice SRM color.

See Also

External References