A bitter question

[abag]

I have a question about the bitterness of beer so to speak.

I read an extract recipe recently that said,

"You can add more malt extract to increase the ABV. 500g will increase by around 0.5%. Add to the pan after boiling is complete otherwise you will alter the bitterness."

So does that mean that,

a) the boiling malt becomes more bitter
b) due to the extra malt there is not the correct absorption of the bittering acid from the hops?

or something else?

Any answers would be most welcome,

abag

 

[soupdragon]

Hi
If you boil extra malt with the same amount of hops you'll lower your hop utilization due to the higher specific gravity of the wort and so lose some bitterness. You could add more hops to compensate but there's no problem adding more malt after the boil. I'd use dried extract as you can get away without boiling it.
I do part boils with the full quota of hops but only around 1kg of my dried extract then add the ballance in the f/v. I've only got a 15ltr stock pot so can't do a full boil.
Cheers Tom

 

Is it not just a question of grams of hops per litre?

 

[soupdragon]

Is it not just a question of grams of hops per litre?

No, the higher concentration of of malt in the boil, the lower the extraction is with the hops. Most brewing software will do the calculations for you. Some look quite complicated but once you get your head around them they're easy enough :)
If you have a particular recipe in mind and need any calculations doing just give me a shout and I'll get back to you :grin:
Cheers Tom

 

[abag]

Thanks everyone for the prompt responses, my knowledge is growing (slowly) but still growing :-)

 

No, the higher concentration of of malt in the boil, the lower the extraction is with the hops. Most brewing software will do the calculations for you. Some look quite complicated but once you get your head around them they're easy enough :)
If you have a particular recipe in mind and need any calculations doing just give me a shout and I'll get back to you :grin:
Cheers Tom

Isn't anything straight forward these days!
Thanks for the offer Tom, I may well take you up on it. :thumb:

 

[Tony]

Isn't anything straight forward these days!

Yup .... England's abysmal performance and subsequent shameful early return from each and every world cup

As far as brewing is concerned, I've come to rely so much on BeerSmith, I've forgotten how to calculate anything! :shock:

 

[soupdragon]

As far as brewing is concerned, I've come to rely so much on BeerSmith, I've forgotten how to calculate anything! :shock:

Never used BeerSmith, I started with Beer Engine and never felt the need to move on. Whatever works for the individual is good though :) As long as it helps us make good beer then I'm happy
Cheers Tom

 

[abag]

Are all these software packages quite similar, and what is the typical pricing of them?

I'm gonna wait to see how my first extract attempt went before I say that I will fully move away from
kits but it was certainly an enjoyable process, are the brewing software recommended for extract or is
it only required when you go fully AG?

 

[soupdragon]

Are all these software packages quite similar, and what is the typical pricing of them?

I'm gonna wait to see how my first extract attempt went before I say that I will fully move away from
kits but it was certainly an enjoyable process, are the brewing software recommended for extract or is
it only required when you go fully AG?

Some are a bit more detailed than others ( hop age, water treatment, mash profiles and the like ) but if all you need to do is formulate recipes then Beer Engine will do the job nicely and even better it's FREE
Cheers Tom

 

[Dieseljockey]

Hi...

Take a look here for free beer software and he's a forum member :thumb:

 

[abag]

Cheers guys,


downloaded both will have a play, installed under linux with wine, which is always nice!

 

[soupdragon]

Have fun playing
Cheers Tom