Extract brewing

[johnc86]

Iv done a few kits and Iv read up a bit on all grain brewing, which Im not ready to attempt just yet :grin:.

How about extract brewing though? Are the results any better than a good kit? I cant find much info on extract brewing.

 

[Aleman]

Results from extract are very good indeed . . . You need the freshest extract possible, especially if using liquid, but if you use Dry it can be wonderful, as good as all grain.

As extract ages though you start getting to the point where That Homebrew Tang starts to set in and then you are at a level that is no better than a good kit.

It is the 90 minute boil though that makes the biggest difference. Homebrew kits are never boiled, so there is not removal of the hot break. They are concentrated by boiling under vacuum . . . which removes moisture but the boiling point is significantly reduced. . . . and so is the amount of protein removed.

 

[leondz]

Extract you can do a lot with. Seems to be more popular over the pond than here, but that doesn't stop a wealth of extremely diverse recipes being available! The only problem I've had is that extract is pretty icky stuff at the best of times, but anyone who's sploshed wort on their floor at some point (so that'd be 100% of THBF I reckon!) would be able to cope. Go for it!

Other negatives are slightly reduced hop bittering extraction, and darker brew colour than expected, but after you've made a Pils or an IPA you'll have the hang of it.

 

[johnc86]

Cool. Think when Iv done one more kit - a dencent one this time - I'm going to follow a recipe for a extract brew.

:drink: