What kind of extract?

As a beginner, I am going to buy the pre-assembled recipes. But I am looking forward to coming up with my own ideas. How do I get started knowing how much of what kind of extract to use? I see where recipes call for 1# of one, 1# of another and 7# of still another. Is there a common base extract, then other flavoring additions? I get hops, I get yeasts....but the main ingredient not so much. Can someone help out a beginner?

Kayos said:

How do I get started knowing how much of what kind of extract to use?

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The kind of extract and how much you use depends on the style of beer your making, there isn't really a "common extract." Usually extract recipes contain about 8#s of extract +- a pound or so.

For example, my last recipe used 6.6 lbs LME (1 can is 3.3lbs) 1 pound of rice solids, and 1 pound of specialty steeping grains. Specialized steeping grains like chocolate malt, victory malt, and crystal malt will allow you to add a special flavors to your beer.

The fun about homebrewing is that you can combine any amount of any extract or grain and find out what combination you like the best.