LHBS said better to do partial boil?!?

Brewme · Oct 28, 2008

I am doing a Russian Imperial Stout and my local HB store said it would help the malt (extract) caramelize if I boil 3 gallons instead of all 5 (which I have capability to do). Everything I have read suggests a full boil is always better. What do you think?

TheJadedDog · Oct 28, 2008

Well, unless you want it to caramelize for some reason (which I never have and seems kind of odd to me), I'd think a full boil would be better. Maybe your LHBS just didn't want to make the hop adjustment?

Brewme · Oct 28, 2008

That could be the case I guess, since the hops were already sealed in a foil wrap. How would I make those adjustments (new guy asking here).

Austinhomebrew · Oct 28, 2008

You are right the shop is wrong. Full boil is better. The beer is not meant to be "Carmelized".

Forrest

TheJadedDog · Oct 28, 2008

Brewme said:
That could be the case I guess, since the hops were already sealed in a foil wrap. How would I make those adjustments (new guy asking here).

Post your exact recipe (based on a partial boil, list the amount of boil it calls for) and someone here will be able to tell you how to adjust things.

BigKahuna · Oct 28, 2008

We should make a list of the stupid things Lhbs tell new brewers!

Boerderij_Kabouter · Oct 28, 2008

I am so glad to have good LHBS people... with all the horror stories lately it makes me feel really lucky. Thanks Rich and Rich's mom at Bitter Creek and Brad at Homebrew Depot! You guys are da Bomb!!!

Brewme · Oct 28, 2008

I was surprised that they told me this too, after reading on this forum. The scary thing for me was that he really seemed to know what he was talking about other than this. Hmm...I hope he put all my ingredients together correctly.

About the hops...I will post my full recipe onlione tonight when i get home. Will I likely be adding more hops than with a partial boil?

TheJadedDog · Oct 28, 2008

No, you'll likely be using fewer hops with a full boil, it's one of the major benefits.

EdWort · Oct 28, 2008

The best extract beer I ever made was Anchor Porter clone from Austin Homebrew. I steeped the grains in hot tap water in the kettle, then filled it to the 7 gallon mark with RO water for a full boil. It turned out very tasty.

WBC · Oct 28, 2008

Sometimes the hired help is not too much of a brewer but the owner turned him loose on the public because he was cheap help. You get what you pay for.
Customer beware!

Brewme · Oct 28, 2008

WBC said:
Sometimes the hired help is not too much of a brewer but the owner turned him loose on the public because he was cheap help. You get what you pay for.
Customer beware!

He was unshaven, mellow, and completely "granola"; he definitely looked the part of a brew master :cross: I guess you really can't read a book by the cover! Thanks for all the help!

LHBS said better to do partial boil?!?

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

Brewme

Well-Known Member

TheJadedDog

AFK ATM

Brewme

Well-Known Member

Austinhomebrew

Well-Known Member

TheJadedDog

AFK ATM

BigKahuna

Senior Member

Boerderij_Kabouter

Well-Known Member

Brewme

Well-Known Member

TheJadedDog

AFK ATM

EdWort

Well-Known Member

WBC

Well-Known Member

Brewme

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Latest posts

LHBS said better to do partial boil?!?

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

Well-Known Member

AFK ATM

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

AFK ATM

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

AFK ATM

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!