Brew Lab · Calculators I + II
Beer Color Estimate
Estimate recipe color as malt color units and Morey SRM while keeping analytical color separate from literal finished-beer appearance.
Boundary: Color estimates are descriptive, not quality or consumption guidance.
Static result contract
Worked example
A production ICU form can progressively enhance this calculator later. The method and representative result remain understandable with no JavaScript.
- MCU
- 4.00
- Morey SRM estimate
- 3.86
- Boundary
- Modeled recipe color, not measured appearance
Method
Formula is part of the interface
BEU does not hide the calculation behind a single result number.
| Method | Formula | Interpretation boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Malt Color Units | MCU = Σ(weight_lb × Lovibond) / volume_USgal | Recipe-input construct, not a finished-beer measurement. |
| Morey SRM estimate | SRM = 1.4922 × MCU^0.6859 | Empirical estimate; not a spectrophotometric measurement or guarantee of perceived appearance. |
Input contract
Units and guards
Input guards keep this foundation implementation bounded. They are not style definitions, legal thresholds, or equipment ratings.
| Input | Accepted units / range | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Batch volume | l, us gallon | Recipe volume used in MCU. |
| Malt contributions | numeric | Each contribution requires weight and Lovibond color. |
Limits & safety
What the result does not prove
Limitations
- Ingredient color specifications vary.
- Process, haze, dilution, oxidation, and measurement method can shift finished appearance.
Safety / responsible-use notes
- Color estimates are descriptive, not quality or consumption guidance.
Methodology sources
Follow the method back to its references
External formulas and technical claims are sourced separately from Beer Universe's own algebra, unit handling, and interface policy.
- Morey beer-color method reference
industry technical · recipe color estimation · Morey method context - BEU018 Brew Lab Calculators II methodology contract
beu original · BEU calculator guards · BEU interpretation boundaries · BEU result-route policy