10 tips to better extract brewing

[robbyhicks]

Why the obsession with high hop flavor? I hate IPA's because of the hop bitterness. I can't think of a PA that I enjoy unless it's with food. There are so many wonderful beers with low hop content, and yet so many of these tips are suggested with hop treatment as the reason.

My real question is this, If I don't care about having high hop bitterness, can I cut down on the boil time? If the LME only requires 15 minutes to sanitize it, can I increase the hops and reduce the boil time to say, 30 minutes?

The suggestion to step up to "real" or "better" PA/IPA won't help me.

Thanks

I know this post is old, but I think I remember reading somewhere you want to boil for min of 45min. Something with extracting enough alpha/beta acids to act as your preservatives or something my fream ale last summer was a 45min boil and only beer to not age well...

 

[CrookedTail]

I know this post is old, but I think I remember reading somewhere you want to boil for min of 45min. Something with extracting enough alpha/beta acids to act as your preservatives or something my fream ale last summer was a 45min boil and only beer to not age well...

In a beer style that needs hops only for balance, and not much hop flavor and aroma, you're correct. You want to boil the hops longer to extract bitterness while boiling out the aromatics.

However, in a hoppy style like a pale ale or IPA, you can get away with a 15 minute boil by loading up on high alpha acid hops. Having a large amount of high alpha hops provides enough bitterness, while retaining much of the aroma and flavor. It's a technique called hop-bursting. It's my preferred way of hopping IPAs.

 

[losteris]

Turning off the heat when adding extract is vital. I tried lowering the heat and having SWMBO stirring while I added the extract and still ended up with some scorching on the bottom of the pot.

 

[WileECoyote]

Nice.

Cheers

 

[Dylan42]

I tried adding the LME and honey at different intervals for my last batch. I added half of it upfront and half of it in the last 10-15 min stirring vigorously and so far looking through my fermenter it looks way lighter than my last two batches.

Great tips! Thanks!

 

[trefilov22]

Me too!

i had to comment so i can find this easily on brew day
now lets party :rockin:

 

[trefilov22]

The problem is these burner these days have those safety timers which really suck...

Turn on your second largest burner and slide between the two as they cycle on and off or better yet, just get a turkey frier and 20# propane tank. The efficiency of the propane burner is worth every penny. $75 or less at Lowes or HD for the burner.

 

[brewbama]

The problem is these burner these days have those safety timers which really suck...

That's why I use a 1996 turkey fryer on the Big Deck. Works great!

 

[trefilov22]

I should probably start looking on C-List for an older turkey fryer burner. Does anyone know if the burners that are sold at brewshops have that darned timer? I honestly never really looked.

That's why I use a 1996 turkey fryer on the Big Deck. Works great!

 

[myelo]

From the op:

9. Water
Malt extract is condensed wort and it contains everything that wort contains, including dissolved minerals. Any minerals in your dilution water are added to the (unknown) amount of minerals in the extract. Unless you have a good reason not to, always use soft water (or even distilled water) for extract brewing.

I have a water softener (ion exchange), but the kitchen water faucet bypasses the softener for cooking/drinking. I've been using this for brewing but it sounds like I should use the softened water. Does everyone agree?

I'm referring specifically to extract brewing and know all-grain is different.

 

[OutlawBrew]

I should probably start looking on C-List for an older turkey fryer burner. Does anyone know if the burners that are sold at brewshops have that darned timer? I honestly never really looked.

Not that I would ever recommend or condone such activity....bit that timer can be bypassed. A quick search on YouTube will walk you through the procedure.

I have two burners, one made without and one with. Other than the small work area and my fat ape fingers, it is a simple process

 

[brewbama]

I got a replacement hose for my turkey frier from Blowes that omits the timer. I used to use a pair of Chanel Locks but decided to replace it.


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