beginner malt question

[tim1970]

I am about to brew my first batch using the extract steep method. (I eventually plan to go AG)
My question is when looking at the 1000's of recipes, how can I tell if it is a recipe for steep or for all grain method? Or how can I tell which malts are able to be steeped and which ones must be used in a mash?

Thanks

Tim

 

[jelsas]

My question is when looking at the 1000's of recipes, how can I tell if it is a recipe for steep or for all grain method?

You can pretty much tell by the volume of grains. anything with 5+ lb. of grain will be an AG recipe. Also, the lack of extract in the ingredient list should be a tip-off that its not an extract+steep recipe .

Or how can I tell which malts are able to be steeped and which ones must be used in a mash?

I always assumed any grain could be steeped, you just wouldn't extract anywhere close to the amount of sugars as a true mash.

 

[david_42]

Specialty grains are generally a few ounces to 2 pounds for a 5 gallon batch. If you are using extract + grain recipes, they will use grains that are ok for steeping. Some grains do better in a mash, but can still be steeped. Just about any dark grain will be fine steeping.

And there are grains that are worse than useless unless mashed, oatmeal, rye, wheat. Sticky, starchy, cloudy. If you are making a stout, even those can be steeped, though.

Personally, I'd do a few kits before tackling a recipe, unless I had someone local to talk to.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

There are some grains you don't really want to just "steep" as you can wind up with unconverted starches in your beer which lead to an uncurable haze as well as an increase in a chance of infection. I think howtobrew has a list, but if not that might be a good item for a FAQ or our wiki.

Most of the time, a partial mash recipe will include 2-row or pilsner/lager malt which are strong diastatic malts and would indicate that mashing should be performed. If it's just crystal and roasted malts it's most likely a steep + extract.

 

[tim1970]

I have done kits in the past (several years ago) and I believe the end results is what turned me off of homebrewing. The kits were drinkable, just not what I would call a premium beer. So now that I am getting back into brewing, I thought about starting out with the extract-steep method, but use a very standard recipe.

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

The kits are generally pretty good (depending on the source and freshness of the ingredients), so it could also be a process problem. However, you should find some pretty good recipes in the recipes forum of this site, as well.

 

[sause]

Check out the mash page on the wiki, the charcter malts are the ones I suppose that you are wondering about. After each malt there should be something that says "mash:" if it say true than a mash is prefered, if not than steeping can be used.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Malt#Character_Malts

It's still a work in progress but if the Baron would help we could get this thing more complete.

 

[CBBaron]

I have done kits in the past (several years ago) and I believe the end results is what turned me off of homebrewing. The kits were drinkable, just not what I would call a premium beer. So now that I am getting back into brewing, I thought about starting out with the extract-steep method, but use a very standard recipe.

There are two kinds of kits:
The all extract kit with hopped extract and directions that require the addition of sugar and
The extract plus specialty grain kit which is what I believe the Baron is talking about.
The extract + grain kits are just recipes premeasured and packaged in a kit with directions. The advantage is you buy a recipe and ingredients that usually have produced a good beer. I've used Brewer's Best Kits and have a Midwest Supplies kit to use next. Most online HBS sell a premade or house brand extract + grain kit. I think these are good ways to get familiar with the process. They also appear to be a little cheaper than buying the components separately. Ofcourse one of the reasons for home brewing is to try out your own designs. I haven't brewed my third batch yet and I am already working on something of my own design for my fourth.
Craig

 

[Baron von BeeGee]

The all extract kit with hopped extract and directions that require the addition of sugar...

I know not many people are using these kits after their first batch or two, but one way to improve them significantly is to replace the sugar addition with more malt extract.