LME/DME Poll

[stylus1274]

Just a quick question.

When you are brewing extract and have the option to choose LME or DME, which do you prefer?

I know both have their pros and cons but just generally wondering if the general consensus leans one way over the other.

 

[Brownalemikie]

As a noobie I've only used LME for brewing brown ale and to be honest, I have no reason to change to DME. I do wish LME was a little less expensive though.

 

[masskrug]

I buy DME in bulk and divide it up into gallon-sized ziplock bags. DME has a longer storage life.

 

[stylus1274]

I buy DME in bulk and divide it up into gallon-sized ziplock bags. DME has a longer storage life.

I like this response. Longer shelf life for sure is a big deal. Thanks for your input masskrug.

 

[dmtaylor]

LME doesn't keep well and develops the twang more quickly than DME.

 

[bruteforce]

DME all the way. Only thing I don't like about it is the part where it boils over like a(n) <insert apt metaphor here>.

 

[Brownalemikie]

LME doesn't keep well and develops the twang more quickly than DME.

Like I said, I'm new at brewing so I'm wondering if its ok to keep LME in the frig for 2-3 weeks. And what is this "twang" stuff about? Btw, if I'm using "G" malt syrup for brown ale, what kind of dry extract would I use? Thanks!

 

[Genghis]

Used LME once on my first brew. Switched to dry immediately afterward. Found it much easier to work with.

 

[dmtaylor]

Like I said, I'm new at brewing so I'm wondering if its ok to keep LME in the frig for 2-3 weeks. And what is this "twang" stuff about? Btw, if I'm using "G" malt syrup for brown ale, what kind of dry extract would I use? Thanks!

The infamous "extract twang" is a flavor that develops in part from the extract manufacturing process, and in part from aging and oxidation of the malt extract. To those who can detect it (most of us, I believe), it tastes sort of like caramel and banana, and slightly metallic. However this is not an exact description either. If you are able to taste it, then you might notice that all of your extract beers seem to have the same funny taste that is not present in commercial beers. Whatever that funny taste is, THAT is the "twang". It is far more prevalent in LME and darker extracts. Your best bet with extract is to always get pale DME, buy it fresh, don't store it long, and also consider adding some specialty malts to the recipe to cover it up a bit. With very fresh extract, you might not taste any twang at all. However, no one usually knows for sure how fresh the extract really is and how long ago it was made and how long it was shipped, what the storage conditions were in the shipping and shops, etc.

This might help even more:

 

[stylus1274]

Or you could just make your own LME Dmtaylor

 

[schatzke]

I prefer DME for ease of use, easy storage, and longer shelf life. Since going AG I just use it for starters anymore though.

 

[kh54s10]

I use only light DME. Any color and flavor come from steeping grains. LME takes up too much space in my fridge, is a pain to pour into the pot without scorching, IMO doesn't give as smooth a flavor. But DME getting clumpy in steam is a PITA.

BTW you could have made a poll where people can vote!

 

[stylus1274]

I use only light DME. Any color and flavor come from steeping grains. LME takes up too much space in my fridge, is a pain to pour into the pot without scorching, IMO doesn't give as smooth a flavor. But DME getting clumpy in steam is a PITA.

BTW you could have made a poll where people can vote!

Lol, I tried but when I clicked the poll option it didn't do anything other than stay checked. Clearly, I have no idea how to work it.

That was my goal here believe me

The biggest reason I'm taking this poll is I'm opening a LHBS and this is a big deal. Storing/selling LME is a huge pain. Even though it appears that most people prefer to buy DME, other brew shops I talk to sell way more LME to DME. Like, it's not even remotely close.

So hence this thread

 

[kh54s10]

For a LHBS, you will want to offer both. It might take a while to figure out the demand so that you don't have LME sitting around too long. I would start with canned, they will last longer, then if there is much demand you can offer any amount poured from a bulk container. I have only visited 4 LHBSs and only one offered LME from bulk. It is no longer in business.

 

[stylus1274]

For a LHBS, you will want to offer both. It might take a while to figure out the demand so that you don't have LME sitting around too long. I would start with canned, they will last longer, then if there is much demand you can offer any amount poured from a bulk container. I have only visited 4 LHBSs and only one offered LME from bulk. It is no longer in business.

I of course will offer both. I will sell cans but not many. You need more than that. You need the option to sell cans as well as pounds of various DME/LME.

I wouldn't sell bulk but the option to buy 1lb and 3lb containers.

I know an owner of a shop in Denver. He says the people who visit his store very rarely buy DME. Maybe because of cost? But they buy it mostly for starters.

He sells 200lbs of LME per month compared to 50lbs DME.

 

[kh54s10]

I don't know the proportions that my local HBSs sell of each. And maybe it is shelf life, but they all have more DME on the shelves than LME. I haven't used LME since I stopped buying kits that came with them about 5 years ago.

 

[laredo7mm]

The local HBS that I go to the most has LME in bulk dispensers and DME by the pound in prepackaged bags. I have only used DME for making starters and I have never bought LME, but since they have the bulk dispensers for LME and just a shelf of the prepacked LME, I would say they sell more LME than DME.

 

[kh54s10]

The local HBS that I go to the most has LME in bulk dispensers and DME by the pound in prepackaged bags. I have only used DME for making starters and I have never bought LME, but since they have the bulk dispensers for LME and just a shelf of the prepacked LME, I would say they sell more LME than DME.

The thing that always worried me about the one LHBS that offered LME from bulk was - How long did that container last. It was in the middle of the store, at whatever temperature it was. I have always heard the advice to keep your LME refrigerated and use it as soon as you can....

The other LHBSs that I frequent have approximately 5 ft long shelves packed with different DME types packed in different quantities and only about a dozen cans of LME.

 

[ChemErik]

I mostly brew all grain, but I'll do an occasional extract batch if I'm tight on time. I'll typically use LME from my LHBS which has good turnover as it's less expensive and recommended with the kits they sell which include all ingredients except extract/base malt. But I also keep DME for starters. If I were doing anything but brewing within a week of purchase, I'd go to DME like most others.

 

[stylus1274]

I mostly brew all grain, but I'll do an occasional extract batch if I'm tight on time. I'll typically use LME from my LHBS which has good turnover as it's less expensive and recommended with the kits they sell which include all ingredients except extract/base malt. But I also keep DME for starters. If I were doing anything but brewing within a week of purchase, I'd go to DME like most others.

This is the exact reason the shop in Denver says he sells so much LME.

 

[kh54s10]

This is interesting. Liquid is cheaper so should sell more for that reason. DME is easier to store so should sell more. All grain brewers have little need for LME and might use DME for starters or gravity adjustments so DME should sell more....

I guess only an LHBS and distributors for that store know exactly.

To the OP, Asking your distributor is probably more accurate than asking here. Answers here depend on what type of brewing the replier typically does. As in my response that I haven't used LME since 2011

 

[stylus1274]

I'm with you KH on the part about asking the distributor. But two problems with that. First, they won't tell you jack until you sign a deal with them. And you can't sign a deal until you physically have a store front.

It's important to ask the question here to understand brewers tendencies.

Your first comment seems to be spot on though. LME sells more because of cost and many AG brewers buy DME because of starters.

 

[laredo7mm]

The thing that always worried me about the one LHBS that offered LME from bulk was - How long did that container last. It was in the middle of the store, at whatever temperature it was. I have always heard the advice to keep your LME refrigerated and use it as soon as you can....

The other LHBSs that I frequent have approximately 5 ft long shelves packed with different DME types packed in different quantities and only about a dozen cans of LME.

I hear ya. The LME station is right next to their grain mill so that is the only reason I have really noticed it. They may have dates posted on them, but I have never looked. If I were ever shopping for LME I think I would prefer cans over bulk, then there isn't much worry.

 

[kh54s10]

How about an incognito question to a LHBS. Go in, don't identify yourself, and ask which sells more LME or DME. You can say you are deciding which to buy. And that would not be a lie....

 

[stylus1274]

How about an incognito question to a LHBS. Go in, don't identify yourself, and ask which sells more LME or DME. You can say you are deciding which to buy. And that would not be a lie....

That's a good damn idea KH. I'm sending my wife today to get me some yeast so that is perfect

 

[laredo7mm]

I'm with you KH on the part about asking the distributor. But two problems with that. First, they won't tell you jack until you sign a deal with them. And you can't sign a deal until you physically have a store front.

It's important to ask the question here to understand brewers tendencies.

Your first comment seems to be spot on though. LME sells more because of cost and many AG brewers buy DME because of starters.

How about an incognito question to a LHBS. Go in, don't identify yourself, and ask which sells more LME or DME. You can say you are deciding which to buy. And that would not be a lie....

I was just going to suggest the same thing.

stylus1274, if you want I can give you the name/phone number/website for the LHBS that I mentioned earlier. Since you are not in the same geographic area as they are they might not have an issue telling you their turn over.

They seem to be pretty decent people and have a pretty big store. They have racks of prepacked specialty grains, adjuncts, brewing equipment, a large cooler for yeast, a walk in cooler for hops, the LME station, and probably 60 to 70 Vittle Vaults of various bulk grains.

 

[kh54s10]

That's a good damn idea KH. I'm sending my wife today to get me some yeast so that is perfect

Glad to help! :rockin:

Especially since it doesn't seem you are going to get any useful data from this thread.

Maybe if you can get the poll feature to work and try something like "How much LME do you use and how much DME do you use?" How you set it up need to give you an idea of totals.

I know you can set up a poll for multiple selections so maybe something like

Per year. Make 2 selections, one for LME and one for DME.

o 10 -20 lbs LME
o 10 -20 lbs DME

o 20 - 50 lbs LME
o 20 - 50 lbs DME

o 50 - 100 lbs LME
o 50 - 100 lbs DME

Then someone might answer with 2 selections, 10 - 20 lbs DME and 50 - 100 lbs LME for example.

 

[stylus1274]

I was just going to suggest the same thing.

stylus1274, if you want I can give you the name/phone number/website for the LHBS that I mentioned earlier. Since you are not in the same geographic area as they are they might not have an issue telling you their turn over.

They seem to be pretty decent people and have a pretty big store. They have racks of prepacked specialty grains, adjuncts, brewing equipment, a large cooler for yeast, a walk in cooler for hops, the LME station, and probably 60 to 70 Vittle Vaults of various bulk grains.

What is the website Laredo? I'll definitely check it out.

 

[stylus1274]

Glad to help! :rockin:

Especially since it doesn't seem you are going to get any useful data from this thread.

Maybe if you can get the poll feature to work and try something like "How much LME do you use and how much DME do you use?" How you set it up need to give you an idea of totals.

I know you can set up a poll for multiple selections so maybe something like

Per year. Make 2 selections, one for LME and one for DME.

o 10 -20 lbs LME
o 10 -20 lbs DME

o 20 - 50 lbs LME
o 20 - 50 lbs DME

o 50 - 100 lbs LME
o 50 - 100 lbs DME

Then someone might answer with 2 selections, 10 - 20 lbs DME and 50 - 100 lbs LME for example.

You know what though, it worked out for me that the poll thing didn't work. Because now I'm engaging in specifics that I think are more important.

 

[laredo7mm]

What is the website Laredo? I'll definitely check it out.

https://www.sicilianosmkt.com/v/market/