DME vs. LME

[Orfy]

Generally speaking I think you'll find most brewers would agree that AG brewing gives greater versatility and generally better results than extract brewing.
That's for many reasons not at least that there are lots of extract brewers that have not got the understanding and experience of an AG brewer.
I don't think any one is suggesting a good extract brew can be better than mediocre AG brew.
It's like the difference of cooking with fresh produce and pre pre paired packaged goods.

Carl, you may want to chill a little. You can disagree with people and give your opinion with out name calling. You are coming across a bit aggressive.

 

[carl spakler]

Generally speaking I think you'll find most brewers would agree that AG brewing gives greater versatility and generally better results than extract brewing.
That's for many reasons not at least that there are lots of extract brewers that have not got the understanding and experience of an AG brewer.
I don't think any one is suggesting a good extract brew can be better than mediocre AG brew.
It's like the difference of cooking with fresh produce and pre pre paired packaged goods.

Carl, you may want to chill a little. You can disagree with people and give your opinion with out name calling. You are coming across a bit aggressive.

Generally speaking you'd be 1/2 right and 1/2 wrong. AG does give more recipe options, but to say categorically AG produces better beer is flat out wrong. Inexperience is the key, you even say so! If no one else will, at least you should listen to yourself.

so, pointing out misinformation is name calling?

 

[Orfy]

No but calling them an AG Snob is.
Along with the attitude it comes across like a personal attack. (Not allowed) Open debate and stating opinions is.

My opinion is that AG brewing is generally more likely to produce better beer than Extract brewing for multiple reasons.
I also consider this to be the manner in which DB posted. I'd go further than saying DB is an avid brewer, I'd consider him to be an experienced brewer.

You can't say that I'm wrong because it's my opinion, I'm not saying it is a fact.

 

[carl spakler]

You can't say that I'm wrong because it's my opinion, I'm not saying it is a fact.

Wow...

Let's not cloud our opinion with information!

 

[Yooper]

Wow...

Let's not cloud our opinion with information!

Our opinion is our opinion, and I don't see yours overloaded with "facts" either. Arguing over something so ridiculous (what is it that you are arguing anyway?) ruins the technical aspects of the thread. You're arguing over whether or not Orfy believes that AG is more likely to produce better beer in his opinion?

Please take your arguments out of the technical threads, and into private messages.

The topic is DME vs. LME. Let's get back there. If you don't have anything to add, feel free to move on to another thread.

 

[Orfy]

Quite right.

That's an area I don't have enough experience in to help.

I've only made a few extract brews and they have all been LME.
In fact I made a couple of LME kits a bit back and they both turned out drinkable with a little ageing.

 

[SteveM]

I always love jumping into the periodic "LME vs. DME" thread and mentioning that I am one of those who prefers LME, basically for exactly the same reason that people prefer DME. I prefer handling and managing it. For my process, it's just easier.

The often-cited consensus of regular posters and experienced brewers for DME is not unanimous.

 

[jordnthoms]

Sorry Carl, but you're out in left field here. DeathBrewer is an avid brewer and is wonderful about sharing his experience/knowledge regarding all types of brewing. He is by no means an AG snob. Always look before you leap or, as in this case, refer to DB as an AG snob.

Is there something wrong with being a snob if most people deem you right?
I happen to think AG is cheaper, but I have never brewed AG.
When I buy for a brew, the pricing order tends to go AG<LME<DME.
I suppose the price is dependent on the grain also.



DME is easier for me, as long as I add it before boil. Clumping sucks, but it goes away fast. I got a layer of burn from LME, even adding it to a boil. When I wash out my container, I feel like my beer will turn out weak -- simply because the residual LME.

 

[goose1873]

I buy bulk lme 33# and as long as I seal btw uses. As long as I use it in under 6mos I have never seen a difference. It would probably be good a lot longer then that.

 

[d3EP]

DME is easier for me, as long as I add it before boil. Clumping sucks, but it goes away fast. I got a layer of burn from LME, even adding it to a boil. When I wash out my container, I feel like my beer will turn out weak -- simply because the residual LME.

I've never had a problem with the LME burning to the pot, but getting all of the liquid out of the can is damn near impossible. I use a rubber spreader to scrape the last bit out, and use hot water in the can to get the rest, but no matter what there always seems to be a little left in there.

I have never used DME but I imagine some people might lose some of the dust, or it clumps together, or to the bag, similar to adjuncts, once they are near steaming water.. This could be avoided by putting it in a measuring cup and being dipped directly into the pot and swirled? I dunno maybe I will try DME if its cheaper. There is definitely more selection of it at my LHBS

 

[Rev2010]

but getting all of the liquid out of the can is damn near impossible.

Never had a problem with this at all. If it comes in a plastic jug I simply fill it a third of the way with hot water from the faucet, mine gets quite hot. I then cap it and shake it aggressively then pour it into my kettle. Has always gotten every last bit out. For a can I fill about halfway with hot water and stir, also has worked perfectly each time.

With DME I could never understand the clumping complaints. For one, don't pour straight from the bag. I pour into a large bowl the slowly pour from the bowl into the kettle as I stir it in with a whisk. No clumping problems. When doing the last bowls worth of DME I then scrape the bowl floor and along the edge where a little has clumped from the steam and stir it into the pot. I wouldn't dip a measuring cup in, the sudden temp change could break it.


Rev.

 

[unionrdr]

I've even filled the can 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up with hot water,stick my brewing spoon in,& spin it between my hands. Similar to the way one uses a whisk in a measuring cup. Just raise it up & down while spinning to pull that last bit of goodness.

 

[pjcampbell]

So the age old question... If the LME is fresh, is it better than DME?

 

[Yooper]

So the age old question... If the LME is fresh, is it better than DME?

"Better"? No. But it tends to come in more varieties, like Munich extract and rye extract so if someone is making a rye beer, they can now do it with extract.

Dry extract is convenient, easily stored, and doesn't darken as much. But it comes in more generic types- like light, medium, and dark.

 

[Beernik]

As far as constancy goes, I would say yes. I was never disappointed in a brew that had only DME + specialty grains. I can't say the same for LME + specialty grains.

Before I switched to all grain, I'd PM a couple pounds of base malt and the specialty grains in a bag in my BK. Then I'd use DME to bump up the ABV to where I wanted it.

 

[UglyDude]

WOW, that was interesting ... just like watching WWF

seems like some of you boys are full of piss and vinager LOL

RDWHAHB --- Why cant we al just get along?

Anyhow, my LHBS (Steinfillers in Long Beach, the best LHBS in the world by the way!) sells kits, like Betty Crocker cake mixes. All the kits I've purchased to date are LME. I was just wondering about DME because my LME is pre-measured into a vacuum sead bag. I sometimes feel like I am leaving too much behind so I warm it up a little in the microwave to "loosen it up" a bit so I can squeeze more out. My beers have all been better than many big brewer beers so I have been very happy with them.

Since I havent used DME I came here looking for answers, just to see what the differences may be, ease of use, etc. I guess I will just look for a recipe using DME and see for myself

Cheers Boys!
slow down and enjoy life a bit!

 

[scarekrow]

Thanks UglyDude for bringing this thread back to life I was searching for the ratio of DME to LME and just wasn't phrasing correctly. I've got some recipes I wanted to try that called for DME and wanted to try replace with LME.

Oh all methods of homebrewing are good, but my take is AG gives you the most options for creativity followed by LME, because of more choices in product, and then DME. Just my 2 cents and I've done a few AG but mostly DME

 

[UglyDude]

Thanks UglyDude for bringing this thread back to life I was searching for the ratio of DME to LME and just wasn't phrasing correctly. I've got some recipes I wanted to try that called for DME and wanted to try replace with LME.

Oh all methods of homebrewing are good, but my take is AG gives you the most options for creativity followed by LME, because of more choices in product, and then DME. Just my 2 cents and I've done a few AG but mostly DME

To use an over used cliche ... Its ALL good! cheers!

 

[unionrdr]

Here's a conversion chart that'll come in handy; http://www.jaysbrewing.com/2011/11/17/lazy-chart-for-converting-dme-lme-grain/

 

[UglyDude]

So the age old question... If the LME is fresh, is it better than DME?

You might as well ask which is better, blondes or brunettes?

you will get the same results

 

[bondra76]

You might as well ask which is better, blondes or brunettes?

you will get the same results

hence why you take the redhead every time.

 

[unionrdr]

My wife's a brunette,with redish highlights from her torchy mother. I used to call her my cinnamon girl...

 

[TwoHeart]

Being an extract brewer, I find DME makes a better beer than LME. One of the best Pales I've ever drank was a DME brew...

6 lbs pilsen light DME
8 oz crystal 40
4 oz maltodextrin

1 oz Columbus (60)
1 oz Columbus (15)
1 oz Columbus (1)

US-05


Too easy!!