Crumbscrapings
Member
Hi all, total newb here, getting ready to make my third batch. Where I am trying to get to as a brewer is to make big beers with higher alcohol content and unique taste. First two batches were straight kit recipe so I could learn how to do things the textbook way.
Getting ready to do my third batch (Pumpkin Ale) and was wondering about the proper way to make slight deviations on the recipe without making garbage. In asking one of the guys at Midwest about how to increase the alcohol content, he advised simply adding more malt when making the wort. His suggestion was adding 1 lb of malt to the 6lb already in the kit.
A few questions:
1. Does anyone have a rough idea where adding 1lb of malt to the 6lbs in the recipe, brings the alcohol percentage up to? The recipe indicates I should expect alcohol of about 4.8%.
2. Would adding 2 lbs of extra malt be better? For standard five gallon batches, what is the "sweet spot" for adding extra malt to an extract kit?
3. Is simply adding less water to the batch a better option, i.e. using four gallons of water vs. five?
4. For new brewers, is buying an extract kit and making slight additions/deviations to the recipe a stupid way to try and create stronger beers?
Thanks to anyone who wants to provide guidance here.
Getting ready to do my third batch (Pumpkin Ale) and was wondering about the proper way to make slight deviations on the recipe without making garbage. In asking one of the guys at Midwest about how to increase the alcohol content, he advised simply adding more malt when making the wort. His suggestion was adding 1 lb of malt to the 6lb already in the kit.
A few questions:
1. Does anyone have a rough idea where adding 1lb of malt to the 6lbs in the recipe, brings the alcohol percentage up to? The recipe indicates I should expect alcohol of about 4.8%.
2. Would adding 2 lbs of extra malt be better? For standard five gallon batches, what is the "sweet spot" for adding extra malt to an extract kit?
3. Is simply adding less water to the batch a better option, i.e. using four gallons of water vs. five?
4. For new brewers, is buying an extract kit and making slight additions/deviations to the recipe a stupid way to try and create stronger beers?
Thanks to anyone who wants to provide guidance here.