Help me convert this extract recipe to all grain

[bob1852]

Howdy,

here's an extract recipe that I want to change to all-grain.

6 lbs pale LME
1 lb amber DME
3/4 lb crystal 60L
1/4 chocolate
1/4 biscuit
1/4 carapils

I have no problem with the pale LME conversion, and I'll keep the specialty grains the same, but I haven't ever thought about converting amber DME to AG.

Is amber DME made from Brown Malt (sometimes called amber malt)?

 

[BigEd]

Is amber DME made from Brown Malt (sometimes called amber malt)?

No, it's made from pale malt with specialty malt additions for color, probably some crystal and maybe a dash of chocolate. Therein lies the problem of trying to convert an extract recipe to all grain. You really don't know exactly what's in the extract. Extract recipes are essentially a compromise in trying to replicate an original beer or all grain recipe. Frankly I think you would be better served by targeting the particular style or commercial beer that may have been the original inspiration for your recipe.

 

[bob1852]

thanks BigEd,

I just checked AHS, and their Amber DME is made with pale, munich, and 60L.

maybe I'll bump the 60L up to a full pound, and include ~1 lb of Munich in the mash.

what do you all think about this grain bill for a brown ale?

9 lb 2-row
1 lb munich
1 lb crystal 60L
1/4 chocolate
1/4 biscuit
1/4 carapils

 

[mmb]

It's going to be a little light in color, maybe more of a red ale than a brown ale.

Otherwise, looks good.

 

[bob1852]

would adding 1/8 lb of black patent be too much?

I want to get it a little darker...

basically, I'm morphing my AG Elk Drool with this extract-based recipe from the old Coyote Spring's Nutz Brown ale (man, I wish that bar was still open ) to make my soon to be uber favorite brown ale.

 

[bbrim]

I plugged your grain bill into beersmith and it gives 17.5 SRM. Brown ale starts at 18 SRM. I'd probably just add a touch more chocolate malt, and be sure to mash high. Moose Drool is some thick stuff.