Dry vs. Liquid Malt Extract

ahsndpro · 01-19-2007, 10:04 PM

I feel kinda dumb asking this but is there a difference between dry and liquid malt extract (I know one is dry....). Can they be used interchangeably? Is one better than the other?

Thanks

**the_bird** · 01-19-2007, 11:19 PM

Dry is, well... dry. So, use 20% DME if the recipe calls for LME, and 20% more LME if the recipe calls for DME.

LME tends to be darker, so if you want to make a really light beer, extra-light DME is your best bet. LME tends to darken over time, so you have to be careful about how fresh it is.

When I was doing extract, I preferred DME, it was a lot easier to measure out and to handle generally. But, it's a lot more expensive. You can buy both in bulk if you are going through a good amount.

Both make good beer.

Brewsmith · 01-19-2007, 11:40 PM

I agree with the_bird. I started out using liquid extract, but after I swtiched to dry, I noticed a difference and never went back. Now I'm all grain, but I still use the dry extract to make yeast starters.

**the_bird** · 01-19-2007, 11:57 PM

Some people talk about extract having a "twang" generally, and it seems to be more common with LME than with DME. Can't say I've ever been able to pick it out specifically.

Brewsmith · 01-20-2007, 12:00 AM

I've tasted it. It probably has more to do woth the age of the product. Get the freshest LME you can find.

homebrewer_99 · 01-20-2007, 02:06 AM

Grain - 1 lb equals
LME - .75 lb
DME - .6 lb

Lord Sterrock Hammerson 8 · 01-20-2007, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by homebrewer_99

Grain - 1 lb equals
LME - .75 lb
DME - .6 lb

Smarty pants!