Extract Brew- advice needed

Sussex Hopburner · Jun 28, 2010

Hi

I'm thinking about my doing my first extract brew and would like some advice on equipment, techniques etc.

I have seen the "How to" guide to stout which suggests a specialist boiler unit- I don't really have the space for loads of gear and my current kit (FV/crate of bottles) is about the tops. Other places suggest that I just need a big stock pot...

I've seen the Way to Amarillo kit on the brew site which looks a decent place to start?

Any help and advice most appreciated.

Dave

djskinner · Jun 28, 2010

I did the Amarillo as my first extract brew 2 weeks ago - it's looking and tasting really good - looking forward to when it's ready.

I used a 9 litre stock pot on my hob but I strongly suggest you get at least 12 litres as mine was pretty full - I picked up a 17 for my next one. Also, add a tsp of irish moss 15 minutes before the end.

See bossdrums post for a great how to.

abag · Jun 28, 2010

I did the same kit at the weekend, its in the FV now and looking good.

Had 4 pans on the go, divided everything up and still had a bit of boil-over which took one hell of a cleaning,
reckon I'll look into a boiler at the near future but picked up 2 extract kits at the same time and probably gonna risk
doing the next one in the same manner.

soupdragon · Jun 29, 2010

[email protected] said:
Hi

I'm thinking about my doing my first extract brew and would like some advice on equipment, techniques etc.

I have seen the "How to" guide to stout which suggests a specialist boiler unit- I don't really have the space for loads of gear and my current kit (FV/crate of bottles) is about the tops. Other places suggest that I just need a big stock pot...

I've seen the Way to Amarillo kit on the brew site which looks a decent place to start?

Any help and advice most appreciated.

Dave

Hi Dave

The only bit of kit that I had to buy when I moved to extract was a stockpot. Got a 15 ltr one off ebay for about Â£18 but I've noticed they've gone up to Â£20 now. I do partial boils. About 1 kg dried extract with the full quota of hops in around 12 litres of water then cool and add the ballance of extract before topping up to 5 gallons.
Have made some good beer this way and am planning to try a partial mash with the same kit.
Best of luck :thumb:
Cheers Tom

Sussex Hopburner · Jun 30, 2010

Thanks for the help

Big pot shop here I come

corby_brewer · Jun 30, 2010

Now this is only my opinion, but if i was you i would skip extract and go straight into AG. Its a lot cheaper and a lot better than extract. Ive only ever done one extract brew and wasnt to impressed with the results, there as ive done 9 all grain brews now and very impressed with ever one of them.

Come on join us in the DARK SIDE :twisted:

jonewer · Jul 4, 2010

Indeed. I never had luck trying to do extract with pot and pans on the hob. Waste of time and money IMO.

I did do one extract that was really good, but that was with the AG brewing kit - I just skipped the mash and went straight to the boil.

It was good training for my first AG as I was familiar with half of the process and how the boiler, hop strainer etc. would function.

Then when I came to do my first AG, all I had to experience for the first time was the mash.

At the very least, get yourself a proper boiler that can handle the full volume. May cost a little more but its false economy otherwise.

soupdragon · Jul 4, 2010

Hi

corby_brewer is right about the cost involved. It's on a par with the "premium" kits and certainly more expensive than the standard 1 can jobs. You would see in substantial improvement over the kits tho and it certainly is a good way to learn a bit more about the joys of the boil. The main reason I stick to extract ( at least up to now ) is that I can get dried medium extract from work, so for me the main cost is eliminated

As I said in my other post I'm planning on moving up to a mini mash set up with my existing gear, as once you get the taste ( forgive the pun ) for brewing your own, you will want to improve on your results. There is no substitue for a full mash, full length boil and the beer produced will speak for itself but good beer can be made with a little less effort from extract :)

Cheers Tom

Extract Brew- advice needed

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