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If a full boil is possible, DO IT!!

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Laughing_Gnome_Invisible

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I've done about 15 extract brews this year. All with a 3 gallon boil. I've always been pleased with the brews, but there was always a sticky, and sometimes twangy taste that stopped these brews being something special.

Now, in my anticipation of going AG, I decided to buy the ingredients for 4 identical brews before I went AG. I thought it might be a good idea to brew 4 batches with the exact same recipe to test my method.....I brewed the first three, and they were decent ESBs. I liked them well enough. Before I brewed the last one, I had made my keggle, and bought my SQ14 burner for my AG. In a rush to get that equipment christened, I decided to brew my last extract with it. A full boil instead of 3 gallons.

I have read on this forum that a full boil is preferable, and will improve the brew. I have also read here that if you are going to full boil a 5 gallon batch, you REALLY need an IC. I call bullcrap on that one!

I used the exact same method for this brew as always except I did a full boil. I cooled the wort by throwing a bunch of clean ice directly into the wort. I Had it cooled in about twenty minutes.

I had the first glass from this batch today, and quite frankly, compared to my previous extract brews, this is like sucking on Anjelina Jolie's nipples compared to a night out with Roseanne Barr in a pizza parlour. THIS BREW ROCKS!!!!!

In particular, I noticed that I had a much better head than before, and the head retention was better. I even had better lacing. Much more importantly, the taste was a LOT less sugary, and the mouth feel was much more crisp.

If I were served this pint in an English pub, I would be raving about it!


These are not good pics. Low light levels don't show the clarity, but you can see the head, retention and lacing. IMO these are good for the style.

bitter1wv7.jpg


bitter2ul0.jpg



And the only difference between a "decent" brew, and a "superior" brew was this.


keggle1jd5.jpg





If it is within your means to do a full boil for extract, then DO IT!!! You will be greatly rewarded!! :D
 
NEW FULL BOIL EXTRACT ANALOGY!!!!


compared to my previous extract brews, this is like sucking on Anjelina Jolie's nipples compared to a night out with Roseanne Barr in a pizza parlour. THIS BREW ROCKS!!!!!
 
Hey guys, get off my ass! I'm very PROUD to feel that I learned something worth repeating!! :eek:

Don't get on my back because I use the google search and read the wiki pages instead of starting new beer threads when I need to learn something. This is a turning point for me! :D

I just had an epithany, it's kinda nice! :)
 
Congrats! I found out the same thing when I did a full boil of AHS's Anchor Porter Clone. It was my first extract beer that did not have the twang of an extract.

Welcome to the club, The Full Boil Angelina club! :D
 
Congrats! I found out the same thing when I did a full boil of AHS's Anchor Porter Clone. It was my first extract beer that did not have the twang of an extract.

Welcome to the club, The Full Boil Angelina club! :D

Thanx, :) My REAL reason for this thread was that I thought that the difference between a full and partial boil for extract has been previously understated on this forum. I know that it ain't nothin' new, I just thought the whole notion of a full boil needed a bit of a boost. :)
 
I am a huge advocate of full boils. I think you can make outstanding beers with extract if you follow a few simple rules:

1. Full boil
2. Never get prehopped extract, always boil fresh hops.
3. Always use light malt extract and steep crystal/roasted malts for the color you want.

I also like DME as opposed to LME, but if you can get fresh LME it should be fine. Otherwise just follow the rest of the basic brewing rules of sanitation and pitching rates ect.
 
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Gnomey, Gnomey, Gnomey. All together now, let's chant. Gnomey, Gnomey, Gnomey.:D

I haven't gone AG either, but I have done full boils. World of difference, sort of equivalent to the mind-blowing difference between a typical Gnome rant and actually Gnome brewing. Awesome.:mug:
 
So, why did no bugger ever tell ME that a full boil was so much better!! :(

All I ever read here is that it is "preferable" or "quite nice"......Let's face it! the difference is like a peanut butter sandwich, or a butter sandwich! I can't help feeling that a full boils was always understated in this forum!

wibble
 
So, why did no bugger ever tell ME that a full boil was so much better!! :(

All I ever read here is that it is "preferable" or "quite nice"......Let's face it! the difference is like a peanut butter sandwich, or a butter sandwich! I can't help feeling that a full boils was always understated in this forum!

wibble
You just weren't paying enough attention.:D
 
So, why did no bugger ever tell ME that a full boil was so much better!! :(

All I ever read here is that it is "preferable" or "quite nice"......Let's face it! the difference is like a peanut butter sandwich, or a butter sandwich! I can't help feeling that a full boils was always understated in this forum!

wibble
Where the butter sadmich is better :confused:
 
Congrats, LG! If you think going to full boils made a difference, wait until you go AG! You're still welcome to make the drive down to my place anytime to brew.
 
I pay attention to the Gods of brewing, and she (Yooper) didn't emphasize it enough...... Bad naughty Yooper!! She needs a damned good spanking!

Can't I stay here and peril just a little longer?

No, no... it's far too perilous.

You're gay, aren't you?
 
I've done about 15 extract brews this year. All with a 3 gallon boil. I've always been pleased with the brews, but there was always a sticky, and sometimes twangy taste that stopped these brews being something special.

I took the liberty of translating this to reflect LG's British accent for those that are interested. :D

Oi've done abouut feeftayn ex'trakt brauws thees yeer. All wif 'a tree gollon boyl. Oi've always been playsed wif da brows but dere was aw'ways a steeky, n' somtoymes twangee tayste dat stopped theyse brauws bee'n som' spayshel.


:D :D :D
 
I took the liberty of translating this to reflect LG's British accent for those that are interested.

Oi've done abouut feeftayn ex'trakt brauws thees yeer. All wif 'a tree gollon boyl. Oi've always been playsed wif da brows but dere was aw'ways a steeky, n' somtoymes twangee tayste dat stopped theyse brauws bee'n som' spayshel.


:D :D :D
Your command of Gnome is very impressive.:D
 
The only reason I have yet to do a full boil is that I'm still unsure on how to calculate hop usage. I use AHS extract kits exclusively and their directions call for 2.5 gallon boils. I do 3 gallon boils and add half of the LME when the wort boils, and the other half for the last 15 minutes of the boil. Is there a reliable way to calculate hop usage other than Beersmith? (I'm a mac owner, and Beer Alchemy sucks)
 
I wonder if it makes sense, for those of us still trapped in a 5 gallon kettle, to boil as much as possible? Would it be better to do a 3.5 gallon boil, rather than a 2 gallon boil?
 
I shall convert my recipes to full boil. But what about the people that do not have large enough pots and/or electric stoves?

Forrest
 
I shall convert my recipes to full boil. But what about the people that do not have large enough pots and/or electric stoves?

Forrest

Rather than totally convert all recipes to full boil, may I suggest just including an adjustment schedule with your printed direction sheet?

Jason
 
I shall convert my recipes to full boil. But what about the people that do not have large enough pots and/or electric stoves?

Forrest

Forrest, thanks a lot for responding. Maybe do instructions for 2.5 gallon boils and 5 gallon boils. Your kits are the sh*t! Can't wait to try the American IPA1 I brewed on wednesday.
 

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