I've done about 15 extract brews this year. All with a 3 gallon boil. I've always been pleased with the brews, but there was always a sticky, and sometimes twangy taste that stopped these brews being something special.
Now, in my anticipation of going AG, I decided to buy the ingredients for 4 identical brews before I went AG. I thought it might be a good idea to brew 4 batches with the exact same recipe to test my method.....I brewed the first three, and they were decent ESBs. I liked them well enough. Before I brewed the last one, I had made my keggle, and bought my SQ14 burner for my AG. In a rush to get that equipment christened, I decided to brew my last extract with it. A full boil instead of 3 gallons.
I have read on this forum that a full boil is preferable, and will improve the brew. I have also read here that if you are going to full boil a 5 gallon batch, you REALLY need an IC. I call bullcrap on that one!
I used the exact same method for this brew as always except I did a full boil. I cooled the wort by throwing a bunch of clean ice directly into the wort. I Had it cooled in about twenty minutes.
I had the first glass from this batch today, and quite frankly, compared to my previous extract brews, this is like sucking on Anjelina Jolie's nipples compared to a night out with Roseanne Barr in a pizza parlour. THIS BREW ROCKS!!!!!
In particular, I noticed that I had a much better head than before, and the head retention was better. I even had better lacing. Much more importantly, the taste was a LOT less sugary, and the mouth feel was much more crisp.
If I were served this pint in an English pub, I would be raving about it!
These are not good pics. Low light levels don't show the clarity, but you can see the head, retention and lacing. IMO these are good for the style.
And the only difference between a "decent" brew, and a "superior" brew was this.
If it is within your means to do a full boil for extract, then DO IT!!! You will be greatly rewarded!!
If a full boil is possible, DO IT!!
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