first extract kit

[mattybabsy]

I have done 6 normal kits so far (3 conditioning, 3 fermenting)

my friend just sent me over the millenium kenstral extract kit from northern brewer.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/r ... rains.html

I can't wait to do an extract. But I had 2 questions-

1. are the grains I have just going to give me more of what already is in the malt syrup?
2- how should I crush the grains? What consistency am I looking for?

thanks

 

[Runwell-Steve]

According to the instructions that come with the kit the grains should already be crushed.

Crushed grains do not look like flour, more as if someone has taken some whole grains and just hit them with a hammer.

The grains will give you added malt flavour, they are speciality malts specifically for flavour, colour and aroma, the malt extract that comes with the kit is just the extract from a lager malt.

It's a quite comprehensive set of instructions that comes with the kit.

 

[mattybabsy]

steve, thanks for looking at the instructions and for taking the time to respond. my concern is that my friend bought them in the store and sent them over with my bro- so I think according to the instructions, they're whole. they also look whole, not like they got crushed with a hammer.

what do you think?

 

[Runwell-Steve]

Any chance you can take a picture of them and put it on here

If they are not crushed then as they are only the speciality grains then I think I'd just put them in a plastic bag and bash them with a rolling pin until they all look a bit broken. That should do the trick.

Alternatively you could just buy the approprate Malts ready crushed from here.

Heres the Belgian Aromatic

http://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=230

In place of the Belgian Caravienne, which I can't find, you could probably use this Weyermanns Carared

http://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/index.ph ... ductId=117

 

[mattybabsy]

another question- the recommended yeast is:

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/ingredien ... -pale.html

but I already have this one:

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/ingredien ... ennes.html

you reckon that'd do the job?

thanks again

 

[mattybabsy]

hopefully thats better?

 

[Runwell-Steve]

They don't look crushed to me.

I think you'll be fine with the yeast you have, it will make beer, and should be fairly close.

 

[mattybabsy]

brilliant! thanks for your help

can't wait to do my first extract!

 

[mattybabsy]

about to do this kit this morning and realised there's only one mesh bag- for the grain I assume- what do I do with the hops? it says add them directly into the boil kettle? if I do that do I just need to strain the wort before chilling it to remove the hop pellets?

thanks

matthew

 

[PhatFil]

about to do this kit this morning and realised there's only one mesh bag- for the grain I assume- what do I do with the hops? it says add them directly into the boil kettle? if I do that do I just need to strain the wort before chilling it to remove the hop pellets?

thanks

matthew

if they are being boilled for the same period as the grains chuck em all in the same bag if not and you cant bodge a second bag ie foot of a new stocking.. what luv me luv no luv.... you can make a hop tea using a pint or 2 in another pan boil your hops seperatly then strain, and add this liquer to your wort,

 

[Dr. B]

In the extract "how to" on this forum, the hops go directly in the boil whilst the grains go into a bag at a lower temp and are removed before the boil.
This is the method I followed.