I'm an all-grain brewer who has realized that all-grain brewing doesn't really fit into the family schedule these days. Inspired by this thread and
@D.B.Moody's 30m boil, I've started making some batches in a series I call 'Quick Extract...' or 'Weekday Brews'. Brews that could be achieved on a weekday evening.
Ground rules... anything that adds time is probably not going to happen.
>30m boil...nope
Steeping specialty grains... nope
Partial mash... clearly nope
Adding invert sugar...sure
Whirlpool hops during the water bath...sure
Using DME in package quantities... preferred.
You get the idea.
Fast, good, or cheap. I'm using extract so the cheap is gone. Fast and good is what I'm after with emphasis on fast.
First, the quick extract batch I bottled last weekend. A Weekday Bitter.
~4gal into the fermenter
1.037
24 IBU
3gal water into the kettle
1.5# Briess Pale Ale DME
11IBU Fuggle @ FWH
Bring to boil. Add 11IBU Fuggle @ 30m.
Dissolve .5# Invert in 1gal reserved water.
Add 1.5# reserved DME to invert solution.
Flameout. Add .5oz EKG. Add reserved invert/DME solution. Start water bath. Add .5oz EKG as it passes 170°F.
English ale yeast, this time Omega's Fuller's @68°.
Bottled at 1.8 volumes.
Quick Extract Batch #2
Another Weekday Bitter
Same as the first, with Munton's Amber DME. If I can find time, I'll bottle it today.
Quick Extract Batch #3 in development
A Weekday Saison
1.043 OG
25 IBU
2# Munton's Extra Light DME
2# Munton's Wheat DME (55% Wheat)
(Overall Barley/Wheat 72.5/27.5)
25 IBU Saaz split 50/50 FWH & 30m
Omega's Belgian Saison II
Quick Extract Batch #4 on the horizon
A Weekday Belgian Wit
4# Munton's Wheat DME (55% wheat)
25IBU Saaz, bittering only
Omega's Wit