Recent content by Preston Gaines

For anyone who cares (or finds this later...I have learned SO MUCH from searching) The base kit was Northern Brewer's Smashing Pumpkin Amber Ale. I discarded the pumpkin spice, and added 1/2lb of 60L malt to the partial mash. They supply 1/2lb of 40L, so I just added more, darker caramel malts...

You guys are great, thanks. I went for it and steeped 1/lb of 40L with 1/2 lb of 60L. Wort smells sweeter than most right now which is what I was going for on this one...taste test will tell all! Thanks again.

I have an extract kit that comes with Briess Caramel 40L malt (1/2 lb) for a partial mash (steep while heating up to 170°), but I want to pull more caramel into the flavor into the beer. If I add an additional half pound of Briess Caramel 60L to the brew, will I impart significantly more...

Great point on not over doing it. To clarify, Right now I'm leaning towards either/or. I went and pulled the kit down and looked in it, they do supply Briess Caramel 40L steeping grains (.5 lb) during warm up. I'm likely to either add more steeping grains, or go with lactose and the provided...

Actually, you got me reading more on grains, now I'm heavily considering steeping this caremel 60L I'll read the recipe you just posted as well. Thanks!

C60 looks promising! Most of the kits I get from Northern Brewer have a bag of grains you steep while heating the kettle, then the syrup goes in. I'm thinking one pound of C60 steeped while bringing the kettle up to 170° would be about right. Any thoughts?

I'm liking where everyone's head is at. I will talk to northern brewer about grains, I may yet try that route. Molasses doesnt appear to be the route I want to take. I made a coffee stout some time back and primed with maple syrup and was disappointed with the lack of flavor it imparted...

I have some roasted pecans steeping in vodka right now that are destined for a amber ale kit I have (extract brewer, this will be my 4th brew). I have had good luck so far with flavoring stouts, trying something new with a free kit I acquired. I want to make a candied pecan amber, but I'm...

Hey all, First time brewer here. I am not on an island (thankfully!) as many of my co-workers brew. I have my first extract kit in fermentation, and will be bottling next week. It is a 5 gallon brew. I picked some mini kegs up off FB marketplace for a steal, and since we are having a party...