Super Noobie question (extract instructions)

Jhoss · 01-23-2012, 05:18 PM

So my wife walks into a retail home brew shop to get her better half (me) a brew kit. Sales person says what does he like, "Two Hearted" is his fav says me lady. She comes home with a kit for me....and these ingredients.
(1) 1.8 kg can of Muntons IPA Bitter.
(1) 1 lb. paper bag of Light DME
(1) 1 lb. paper bag Corn Sugar.
Here's a pic:

I have not trust in my guesses! Sombody please 'splain to me what to do here - nowhere do I see combining both the LME and the DME but that is my intention - but the sugar too? I have not seen that anywhere.Or, is that just for priming bottles? Thanks to HBT for being a resource!
Coach the newbie, mold me into a competent brewster oh yee Meisters of the Malt!

Suthrncomfrt1884 · 01-24-2012, 04:32 AM

Wow...I'm suprised a homebrew shop would suggest a kit like that. My LHBS doesn't even stock pre-hopped extract.

Also, if you're looking for a two hearted clone, this is nowhere near it. If this is meant to be a 5 gallon batch, you'll end up with a beer that's somewhere around 4.5%...not even close to two hearted.

Either way...it will make beer.

The corn sugar was probably meant for the beer. You could save 4-5 grams of it to carbonate your beer though.

If I were brewing this, I would boil 3-5 gallons of water (full boils are always better if you have a big enough kettle). Add your dry malt extract and boil for 60 minutes. When there's about 15 minutes left in the boil, add your liquid extract and corn sugar. Chill to 65F, add yeast, and ferment for a few weeks.

I've never used prehopped extract, so you may not even need to boil it for 60 minutes.

**bad67z** · 01-24-2012, 04:53 AM

After looking at your LHBS "Hopman's" website they should have all the ingredient to make a two hearted extract clone. I think your wonderful wife bought your kit from a not so knowledgeable salesperson. If you would like to make a beer closer to you favorite Bells brew take a look at this thread. Take back your ingredients and exchange them for the correct ones.

And the corn sugar is not only for bottle conditioning, it is also added to boost the ABV.

sculpin · 01-24-2012, 05:28 AM

The prehopped extract is, well... prehopped, so there is no need to boil it for 60 min, actually most of the kits say you dont have to boil it since it must be sterile.

There must be some instructions with the kit, usually under the lid.

Schnitzengiggle · 01-24-2012, 06:09 AM

My suggestion, take a few minutes to read some of the primers for beginning brewers at the top of the forum.

Realize the kit you got is less than optimal, have the best experience you can with it, and then do a minute amount of research before brewing again...expect a superior product. Enjoy. Brew again. Enjoy. Start to experiment with your extract brewing. Enjoy. Go All Grain. Realize how much equipment you need. Enjoy. Realize the possibilities of beer you have complete control over. Enjoy. The list goes on, must I continue? Enjoy!

Cheers!

ReDim · 01-24-2012, 06:26 AM

I would get a bucket, throw all the suff in there (preferably taking it out of the package) Pour some boiled water over it, cool to room temperature and throw in the Yeast.

Did she get Yeast ?

Schnitzengiggle · 01-24-2012, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReDim

I would get a bucket, throw all the suff in there (preferably taking it out of the package) Pour some boiled water over it, cool to room temperature and throw in the Yeast.

Did she get Yeast ?

C'mon man you make it sound like she did a bad thing.

Look. She did a great thing. Please don't be discouraged. Brew a batch, no matter what, you will have beer.

My philosophy is that there is no such thing as bad beer (except for extreme cases [rare]). Simply, some beer is better than others.

Follow your directions. There is so much info here on HBT, and the fact that you found it is amazing. It reveals that you are truly interested in brewing beer. If you weren't you wouldn't have bothered.

If you find the process fascinating as I do (making sugar for yeast to eat, then piss alcohol, and fart co2) I think it is awesome. Having a hobby that has a real reward such as a delicious beverage to imbibe...well...that's just freakin' awesome!

So give it a whirl, ask questions on the forum, do a little research here, there is a literal wealth of information. I happen to be passionate about brewing, as you will find most HBT members are. Maybe you will find you are too! Just give it a fair chance. It ain't exactly easy, but it is rewarding. I do it for me right now, but someday I hope to do it for many. There are plenty of members who have taken it beyond "homebrewing." And I hope too as well someday (although, I think carefully about doing what I am passionate about for a hobby versus a living. [ I don't want ruin it.])

So good luck in your ventures, and PROST to you!
PM with any questions I'll be more than happy to give you any pointers that I can.

Cheers!

**bottlebomber** · 01-24-2012, 06:58 AM

I would get maybe 4 more pounds of DME (5.40 a pound eek!) and the hops listed in one of the clone recipes on this forum. Then make beer! I don't think you'll be too thrilled with what you have there. I would assume the bitterness was there, and pick up your aroma, flavor, and dry hops.

ReDim · 01-24-2012, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schnitzengiggle

C'mon man you make it sound like she did a bad thing.

Look. She did a great thing. Please don't be discouraged. Brew a batch, no matter what, you will have beer.

My philosophy is that there is no such thing as bad beer (except for extreme cases [rare]). Simply, some beer is better than others.

Follow your directions. There is so much info here on HBT, and the fact that you found it is amazing. It reveals that you are truly interested in brewing beer. If you weren't you wouldn't have bothered.

If you find the process fascinating as I do (making sugar for yeast to eat, then piss alcohol, and fart co2) I think it is awesome. Having a hobby that has a real reward such as a delicious beverage to imbibe...well...that's just freakin' awesome!

So give it a whirl, ask questions on the forum, do a little research here, there is a literal wealth of information. I happen to be passionate about brewing, as you will find most HBT members are. Maybe you will find you are too! Just give it a fair chance. It ain't exactly easy, but it is rewarding. I do it for me right now, but someday I hope to do it for many. There are plenty of members who have taken it beyond "homebrewing." And I hope too as well someday (although, I think carefully about doing what I am passionate about for a hobby versus a living. [ I don't want ruin it.])

So good luck in your ventures, and PROST to you!
PM with any questions I'll be more than happy to give you any pointers that I can.

Cheers!

There is a reason I pay more attention to my Belgian Blonds then to the blond in the bead... She never got me those kits

I wanna divorce actually

But you know, the worst brew I ever made was still better then anything i got in the store

So like Schnitzengiggle says "brew !"

And like people have suggested get get some materials, books and what not and just figure it out...

venquessa · 01-24-2012, 08:02 AM

As newbie to newbie:
Boil some (a gallon or 2) or water, melt the DME into it. Warm the kit can in some other water (makes it easier to pour). Tip the DME solution into your barrel, tip in the kit can, add a little more boiling water, stir in the sugar (you can buy more or use table sugar for priming), fill to 5 gallons with cold water. Rest with the lid on, until it's below 22C 70F and spread the yeast over the top. Put the lid on tight and leave it for 2 weeks.

It won't have the experienced guys applauding, but it will make totally drinkable beer!