Easy Stout?

[danweasel]

Hello, I there any way to make an all extract dry Irish stout? I looked around in the recipes and I am actually looking for something dirt-simple. This will be my 1st stout and my second beer (discounting the two utter failures early on). Any never-fail recommendations out there?

First post!

Thanks for the help,

Dan

 

[Pappers_]

Hi Dan. Stouts are relatively easy to brew beers, because they are so flavorful, so full of roasty flavors, that it covers up possible off-flavors.

Stouts are no harder to make than other "extract with steeping grains" beers. In sum, you:

1. Steep the crushed specialty grains in a grain mesh sack in around 3 gallons of water around 170 degrees for around 30 minutes

2. remove the grain sack and bring the water you steeped in to a boil, add the extract and hops and boil for 60 minutes

3. cool off in an ice bath (put the pot in your sink with ice water) until the wort is around 70 degree, pour into your fermenter (bucket or carboy) and top off with cool water until you get to five gallons.

4. add dry yeast


For more info on this process, see https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/beginner-extract-brewing-howto-99139/ and http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html, sections 1 and 2.

I'm going to go cruise the recipe database here and find an example or two that you might want to try.

Cheers!

 

[Pappers_]

Here's a dry stout extract recipe from the database that looks good https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f68/dry-dublin-stout-110869/

I'd suggest two changes to the recipe:

1. Use light extract instead of dark extract. That's just a general rule - use light extract as your base malt and add flavor and color with your specialty/steeping grains.

2. Substitute dry yeast for the liquid yeast. With the liquid yeast, you should make a starter and it just adds another layer of complexity for you. I would suggest Fermentis's Safale US-04, it will help make this a dry, drinkable beer with few estery flavors.

Another option would be to order an ingredient kit from a reputable online retailer, like Austin Homebrew Supply or Seven Bridges Cooperative. I purchase organic hops and other supplies from Seven Bridges - they have what looks like a great Dry Irish Stout extract kit here http://www.breworganic.com/organicirishstouteasybrew.aspx

Hope this helps! You can do this, don't let your two failed beers deter you.

 

[Pappers_]

Dan, one more resource for you!

If you would like to see someone brew up an extract batch and explain in clear, simple language what they are doing and why, check out this video [ame]http://www.youtube.com/user/HomebrewingVideo#p/u/15/ajEwY_ZRJ8E[/ame] on YouTube. It is the first episode of about a dozen, that takes you from start to finish. Its a little slow moving, takes some time to watch, but it is very basic and doesn't skip any steps. I find watching someone do something is sometimes much more instructive than reading about it. And unlike some YouTube "how to brew" videos, this guy uses sound brewing practices.

Soon, you'll be drinking a delicious stout!

 

[apologeticus]

my lhbs has an Irish Dry Stout extract kit on sale this month if you wanna try it out: http://ebrew.com/dark_ale/irish_dry_stout.htm

 

[danweasel]

Wow.

Talk about making someone feel welcome! Thanks, Apologeticus and especially Pappers.

I am going to go shopping tommorow for the stuff to make the Dry Dublin Stout. I really like the idea of the kits but you should see what they charge for shipping to Alaska. I bought a couple of things from a supply store in the lower 48 that I could not find locally and I decided to get some LME and hops too while I was at it. Shipping was more than the cost of the items I ordered! Fortunately we have a fairly good supply of homebrew stuff in a few of the local liquor stores.

Thanks again and I will definitely post my results and more questions in the future.

Dan

**EDIT: $42.58 for UPS Ground for the stout kit.**

 

[MurderMittenBrewing]

I would suggest Fermentis's Safale US-04, it will help make this a dry, drinkable beer with few estery flavors.

I totally agree with this - I just brewed a stout with this yeast and it turned out really well. Just keep an eye on your temp during fermentation. I got some bubble gum smell coming out of the airlock and I fermented around 68. I've heard of this smell getting stuck in the beer with higher fermentation temps.