Brew Kit, what do i have??

[knappy023]

Okay guys i got this kit off of eBay about 6 months ago. I am just getting around to starting a brew. What i ordered was an American Amber, and a Honey Wheat. Here is the problem... I am a 1st time brewer and these kits have not instructions!! The seller is just not communicating so i am hoping to get some help here... Here is a list of ingredient list of what i got...

1 - 3.3lbs Can Coopers Amber Malt Extract
1 - 3.3lbs Can Coopers Light Malt Extract
3 - 1lbs bags Briess Dried Malt Extract
1 - 1oz Pkg Cascade Hop Pellets
1 - 1oz Pkg Willamette Hop Pellets
1 - 1oz Pkg Cluster Hop Pellets
1 - 8oz Pkg Master Brew 60L
2 - 4oz Pkg Master Brew 20L
2 - Pkgs Master Brew Wheat Malt
2 - Pkgs Master Brew Priming Sugar
2 - 11g Pkgs Nottingham Brewing Yeast
1 - Pkg Master Brew Honey Mix


I have read a bunch of threads on extract brewing so i have an idea of what to do but am looking for some insight. Thanks in advance!!!!

 

[Nikkimaija]

I'm guessing the 20L and 60L refers to its Lovibond color rating...but is there any other info? If it's just a slightly kilned regular old malt I'd put the 60 in the amber and the 20 in the wheat I think. But if it's some kind of crystal malt I don't think I'd want that in my honey wheat!
I would guess you'd steep the 60L (just submerge it in hot but not boiling water, no higher than around 170 for about 20 minutes, then remove BEFORE boiling - I put it in a muslin bag for this purpose), then boil the Amber & DME in one, with the cascade & cluster. Then maybe steep the 20L, and boil the Light malt, wheat malt & honey in the other, with the willamette. If you like a lighter color in the honey wheat, don't boil all the fermentables for the full hour, especially with a low water volume boil as this will carmelize the sugars and make the final product darker and, well, a little caramelly tasting. I sometimes add half the extract with just 15-20 minutes left. For the amber I'd do one hop for the full boil, and one for the last 5-10 mins, but my flavor knowledge is not such that I could tell you which is which. For the wheat just toss in the willamette for the whole 60 mins. I'm not an expert recipe formulator by any means, so future posters feel free to jump all over me. Bottom line is, you'll get beer in the end, just maybe not precisely true to style...
But your ingredients are already 6 months old, and you got them 2nd hand? They may not be especially fresh. You could have weird flavors or dead yeast. Or it could be fine. Good luck!

 

[knappy023]

What should my ratios be on the dried malt extract?? I am assuming one mix would get one package and the other two packages? Or should i divided it evenly? Also when should I add the honey mix to the wort? Thanks in advance.

 

[Nikkimaija]

I would think with the honey in there, you don't need any of the dry malt extract in the wheat brew - I'd go with the one can of light LME and the 2 pkgs of wheat extract in the honey wheat, and put all the DME in the amber. You can add honey anytime in the boil, but I've heard that adding it in the last couple minutes can maximize the honey flavor in the final brew.