Fixing a "thin beer?"

[TripleC223]

Hey all, I am going to make my second homebrew this evening. It's an amber ale extract kit from Northern Brewer (Block Party Amber Ale).

Many of the reviews I've seen for the kit have noted that the finished product tastes "thin" and is devoid of anything really noteworthy. Is there anything I can do during brewing to address the "thinness" of the brew? Would topping it off short of 5 gallons (4.5?) make it more full-bodied?

The kit ingredients are below. I have also decided to dry hop it with 1 oz of Cascade later in the process.


Northern Brewer Block Party Amber Ale (extract)

SPECIALTY GRAIN
0.5 lbs Caramel 80L
0.125 lbs Special B
0.125 lbs Light Roasted Barley

EXTRACTS & OTHER FERMENTABLES
6 lbs Gold malt syrup

PREMIUM HOPS & OTHER FLAVORINGS
Hoptimus Rex 1 oz Willamette (60 min)

DRY YEAST
Muntons Ale Yeast

PRIMING SUGAR
5 oz Priming Sugar

 

[Redlantern]

1/2 lb flaked barley

 

[catdaddy66]

Some melanoidin malt maybe, half pound or so...

+1 on the flaked barley.

 

[TripleC223]

Not sure I can track down flaked barley today. No LBHS in town. Basically I have a Walmart and a Food Lion. Would either of those have flaked barley?

 

[Redlantern]

1/2 LB oatmeal - the 5 min kind.

 

[kh54s10]

I doubt you will find flaked barley, but you can use Quaker Oats. You might want to toast them. They should be mashed but steeping them should add something.

I am not sure this is best. I would brew it as is, and pick a more complex kit for your next one.

Going short on volume will only give you a stronger "thin" beer.

 

[JonM]

Yeah, it really seems like jumping the gun here. That recipe looks like a darn solid session amber ale. I certainly wouldn't go monkeying with it by adding grocery store stuff based on a couple vague anonymous reviews that say it's "thin." The people who wrote those reviews might haveno idea what they're doing.

 

[Brewsncrabs]

Maltodextrin can be added at kegging or bottling time if you determine the beer is thin. Maybe boil about 4 oz and add to beer. Not sure about amount. This way you can still brew and pick it up later. Or 1/2 lb plain oatmeal.

 

[TripleC223]

Thanks gents...I will proceed as is this evening and hope the dry-hop perks it up a bit.

 

[dmtaylor]

I think the recipe looks yummy as-is. It's going to be a malty beer but you said you plan to dry hop with Cascade anyway which I think is an excellent idea. I wouldn't change anything else personally, except reduce the priming sugar to 4 oz instead of 5 oz.

I wouldn't add flaked barley or oats to this -- those grains require a mash and you're not mashing.