Paddle_Head

Recipes 

So I'm probably going to be ordering my first equipment next week, and was looking at what I would try for my first brew and was figuring extract might be a bit easier while I'm learning. So I was looking at the Kits on Northern Brewer, and it seems like most of the darker ale kits include some grains.

For example The English Pale Extract Kit sounds awesome:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/recipe-kits/extract-kits/extract-ale-kits/english-pale-ale-extract-kit.html

But looking at the kit inventory it shows:
http://legacy.northernbrewer.com/docs/kis-html/1411.html

hmmmm... This sounds more like Partial Mash than a straight extract correct? Or am I misinterretting something here?

AZ_IPA

Recipes 

steeping the grains in these kits give you a lot more color and some flavors that plain extract don't provide.

It's the intermediate step between extract and PM.

You can do it - it's simple. If you can make tea you can do extract plus steeping grains

flyangler18

Recipes 

No - they're extract kits. Crystal malt doesn't need to be mashed; the steep is for extraction of color and flavor only.

Extract + steeping grain kits are the norm; the grain adds additional character.

Hammy71

Recipes 

Many of your extract kits come with 'steeping grains'. You'll steep these like a giant tea bag in your pot with some water. It'll add more body and better taste than extract alone. Very simple and nothing to fear at all....

Paddle_Head

Recipes 

Thanks fella's. Looks like I'm all in on this one then.

david_42

Recipes 

Basically extract only comes in a few flavors and using just extract would seriously limit the styles you could make. You can make any style with extra light extract and specialty grains.

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Laughing_Gnome_Invisible

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The standard word is "complexity" It adds a little something that your taste buds will like.

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LarryC

Recipes 

Just a suggestion from one n00b to a newer n00b. The Northern Brewer kits are great but the instructions are only OK. Read through How to Brew and Beginner Extract Brewing http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/beginner-extract-brewing-howto-99139/ threads before you start brewing. It will fill in a lot of gaps that are in the standard instructions (that goes for any kit supplier's instructions out there, not just NB's)

Have a great brew day!

Paddle_Head

Recipes