I am thinking that my next brew will be an oatmeal stout. I have a question

I know some put extra DME in a brew. Someone told me that doing so would upset the balance of a recipe/kit. He said people do that to increase the alcohol percent.

I have heard it increases the malt flavor.

Would it be a good idea or not.

 

In order to get advice on the question you are going to need to provide your recipe

 

an extra half or full pound will add some more malt flavor and increase body/alcohol but won't ruin a recipe, I do it all the time. never be afraid to experiment with slightly altering a recipe or kit, you can get some great results.

 

A lot of kits are pretty bare bone to keep the prices lower. I find most will benefit from alittle extra extract or hops

 

I was short about 1/2 lb of malt so I subbed 1lb of brown sugar in my oatmeal stout. It started off cidery, and I thought it was a lost cause and almost dumped it, but it mellowed and most of my friends like it now. I gave it another try, and it is not my fav but it is drinkable...

 

It will increase the OG, and should bump the FG a bit, and therefore more ABV

OG=original gravity
FG - final "
ABV - alcohol by volume