BeerBorg

I am wondering does flaked barley need to be mashed? Is there a substitute to be used in a steep?

Flakes grains should be mashed. Although I believe you could use oats in their place for a steep. Flaked grains mostly add body.

Yes, they must be mashed WITH a base malt.

Beer-lord wrote:Yes, they must be mashed WITH a base malt.

And NOT milled with the rest of the grain, should be left whole and mashed in.

well nothin' left to say but +1

I'm going to be a pest...

So yes... flaked grains need to be mashed - if you want to convert the starches to sugars.

But flaked grains do not need to be mashed if you want the proteins and beta glucans.

What gives you the head retention?

The proteins and beta glucans.

So steeping them still gives you the head retention.

But it leaves starch in the beer.

If you are using just a small amount, then the "problem" from steeping is starch haze. And if you are not good with sanitation, it gives bugs something to eat that the yeast will not.

But if your sanitation is good, and it's a dark colored stout you won't likely notice it, especially in small amounts.

So if you are using small amounts, in a dark beer, it can still be an option.

If you feel like being a heretic.

That is my understanding also.