Late Addition Extract

Just finished brewing a Blonde Ale and did my first late addition extract. Used 6 lbs of DME added 2lbs for 60 mins and 4lbs for 15 mins.

Went well!!

 

I started doing late extract additions about 4 batches ago and haven't turned back. Maybe it's just me, but the beer ends up tasting less like an extract.

 

Do you have problems with chill haze or clarity in general? My first thoughts are that a late addition wouldn't allow time for proteins to settle out.

 

Yooper,

IYO was my 2:4 ratio ok?

 

Hey gang,

I did a 1/3 LME for the full boil and the remaining 2/3 at flame out, still tasted a bit caramelized, even though I go with a very low simmer and fully dissolve before going back on the burner. It was better but looking for more. The current Hef in the fermentor I went with DME only and the color is about 1/2 as dark and the Hef flavors come through a ton more.

I'll report back once it's carb'd up

Toy4Rick

 

I thought hot breaks were a myth with extract? I've tried to reach a hot break on all mine and it never seems to get to that point.

 

I've gotten a good hot break once in 3 batches, and it was with DME early and LME at the 20 minute mark. The other batches were pure LME and never got above a good simmer at 225 degrees. Next batch is probaby going to be straight DME for comparisons

 

I get a lil hot break every time with DME. Just for the usual 3 minutes or so. And that's 1.5lb of DME in 2.5G of boiling water. Then hop additions,remaining 1.5lb DME at the end with all the lme while the water is still boiling hot. Cover & let steep for 15 mins while I do sanitizing on the fermenter.
It's when you chill extract wort down as quick as possible that you get proteins flocculating & settling out. Pour through fine mesh strainer into FV to remove them & other particulate matter.

 

So are you using 3 lbs of DME with every recipe and LME for the rest? If so, hows that working out for you? I'm just curious, seem to be a million different DME vs LME opinions, havent really settled on a solid conclusion of my own yet.

 

I use 1 can of LME (max of 3.75lbs) & one 3lb bag of plain DME. Hops type/amounts/schedules very by style. I use half the bag (1.5lb) in the 2.5G partial boil. Do my hop additions,then add the remaining DME & all the LME at flame out. Mix well & let steep covered for 15 minutes.
I just vary the style of plain DME & the lme can,depending on what style of ale I intend to make. I get OG's of 1.044 to 1.050 so far on 6G (23L) batches. You can see pics in my gallery for examples,as all but the 1st one were done this way.
But I haven't put final pics of my BuckIPA,Whiskely Ale,or English bitter in it yet. Kids broke the "OK" program selector switch on the bloody digicam.