Color too dark - Page 2

**jonmohno** · 01-03-2011, 02:23 PM

I think if you want a lighter color like i did you would have to get extra light or pilsen. i dont really think adding dme last 15 min really lightend the color up that much.Light dme is really a light amber breiss does have the lightest,i havent used it yet,I think they have a golden light? not shure but i couldnt find it so i was stuck with muntons.

**kegtoe** · 01-04-2011, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hurleybrew

I do top off with 1-2 gallons of water to bring it up to 5 gallons. I took my OG before I added the extra 2 gallons. I assume this is why I got such a high number? I do thoroughly mix the wort and aerate it before pitching. It still looks like a murky caramel brown color.

You have to take your reading after you top off. Otherwise your not getting a "true" OG

Quote:

Originally Posted by RM-MN

Try your next brew with DME instead of LME. I'll bet it will come out lighter. Make sure you use the lightest DME you can get too.

+1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austinhomebrew

Is the extract in a metal can?

DME is made from LME so it won't be much lighter. What brand of extract are you using? Breiss Pilsen extract has a lovibond of 2 (compared to a lovibond of 1.8 for 2-row). Briess has the lightest extract by far. Muntons is probably the darkest. I would try a mini-mash using Briess extract.

Forrest

With all do respect DME is not always made from LME. Briess concentrates wort by boiling and manuactures LME. They spray a fine mist of wort in a heated vaccum tunnel that dries the wort to a very dry consistancy to make DME.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hurleybrew

Here is what I did:

Steeped 1/2lb wheat, 1/2carahell @ 160F for 35 minutes
3.5lbs Wheat LME from LHBS at 60minutes
3.5lbs Wheat LME @ 20minutes

Is it OK to add the majority at flame-out? I thought you had to give the LME 15 minutes for sterilization?

160 might be a hair hot.

**kegtoe** · 01-04-2011, 04:37 AM

not to criticize other's comments just wnated to post what i've researched and learned. DME is often able to get lighter colors than LME due to less carmilization becuase of lack of boiling. I went to DME to try to get my colors closer to what i was looking for. Late addition was also a big help plus it helped me eliminate "extract twang"

Also LME darkens with age.

**Austinhomebrew** · 01-04-2011, 05:22 AM

So the LME was in a can. Which brand?

Breiss Pilsen LME = 2 lovibond - Incredibly light
Breiss Golden LME = 3 lovibond - Very Light

Muntons Extra pale LME = 4 lovibond - Almost amber extract
Muntons Pale LME = 5 lovibond - As dark as Amber extract

Breiss = fresh
Muntons = old by the time it gets to the US

Breiss uses plastic tubs without causing added flavor.
Muntons uses metal cans = extract quickly begins to taste like soy sauce which makes all beers taste the same.

If it was 3.5 pounds it was probably Muntons.

Forrest