Malt Extracts

[Bradley33]

Can anyone recommend a quality unhopped malt extract? I hear Munton's bantered around alot but I can't seem to find any that is unhopped. I'm slowly gathering my equipment to start brewing (I seldom do things the easy way ha ha) and don't want to start with a hopped kit. I also was wondering if anyone knew of any good homebrew shops in Northamptonshire or maybe a good homebrew supply website or two? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!
Bradley

 

[BrewStew]

Hi Bradley, nice to see someone a bit more local!

Unfortunately there aren't any HB shops in Northampton... If i dont mail order from the usual suspects like Barley Bottom or Hop & Grape, i have to drive to see Melvin at the Happy Brewer in Bedford (25 miles), or Ian at Matchless Homebrew (30 miles) in Leicester

there is however, a little home brew shop in Rushden called Health Foods and Homebrews on the main high street.. i've seen them do tins of LME (liquid malt extract) but they have only got really ... and i mean REALLY basic stuff like your general woodfordes and coopers kits... but they can order stuff in just like any other HBS. that shops 15 miles from me

 

[BrewStew]

oh... there's a brewshop in Newport Pagnell.... you could try there? i've never beer personally though

 

[Bradley33]

Define local..haha. I'm actually American but have been living in Brackley for about three years. I've been wanting to brew for about ten years now and have finally dug the Carboy I've been storing for ten years out of the garage. Thanks for the help. I didn't realise matchless was that close, sounds like a day out definately. It would be nice to be able to look at the stuff on hand as opposed to browsing the internet. I'm avoiding a kit as I think it'll take alot of the fun out of it if it's a case of dump it and drink it. Hopefully once I get the hang of it I'll be moving onto all grain (well after I've brewed some lager and cider for the girlfriend that is ha ha).
Bradley

 

[BrewStew]

those miles i quoted are from my place probably about 30-40 miles to bedford for you... the brew shop in Newport Pagnell is definitely the closest to you i know of... about 24 miles.

surely there's one in central Milton Keynes or Banbury somewhere?

if you dont mind the driving, seeing Ian at Matchless or Melvin at The Happy Brewer i can definitely recommend :thumb:

 

[Wez]

I can only vouch for Ian at Matchless as i've never beer to the other shop, but Ian is a very helpful guy, if he hasn't got it he'll get it, defo worth a phone call before you plan to visit. Oh and if you go see him, tell him you're from the forum - he'll appreciate that :thumb:

 

[Aleman]

Muntons Dry malt extract is available unhopped and in about 5 different colour ratings . . . If you can find a Brupaks stockist then you might be able to get hold of Muntons Cedarex Liquid Malt extract, which is the only one worth using IMO . . . problem is that you don't really have any say in how old it is, and you really want it as fresh as possible . . . . I've made cracking beers made with very fresh Cedarex, as it ages though you do end up with THT (That Homebrew Taste). . . . . If I need to use Extract these days I only use Muntons Spraymalt . . . the Extra Light which makes a great 'lager' on its own.

I know its a bit far from you but Hamstead Homebrew (0121358 6800) just off Jn6 of the M6 is a cracking supplier

 

[Bradley33]

Cool. Thanks for the help. I'll not brew any lager (as I'm not particulary a lager fan) until I've knocked out some tasty ales. I think I'll forestall that request from the girlfriend as a long as possible. Ha ha. I've got some overtime coming up and I'm slowly gathering the remainder of my equipment so hopefully I'll be posting about my first brewday within the next month. Hope you're all well. :drunk:

 

[thebrewer]

I recommend the homebrew shop in derby really helpful

 

[pansub]

There is a HB shop in Milton Keynes, but they did have very limited stock when i went

JP Homebrew
83 Newport Road
Newbradwell
Milton Keynes
MK13 0AJ

 

[Bradley33]

Outstanding. Thanks Pansub. :thumb: