LMEm vs DME

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Adam's Apples

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Due to soe of the comments regarding the extract tang or twang that people associate with LME, I have to ask the question - what do you prefer DME or LME?

Does one produce clearly better beers? Is the twang only noticeable in LME? Is the twang only a factor with old LME, would fresh LME produce any of these flavours?

My first couple of brews were from kits where DME was supplied, but since I have been trying to concoct my own beers, I have bee exclusively using LME due to it's better value and the fact that I find it easier to handle.

Do any of the experienced brewers here use LME?

This is really nagging at me now, but if DME= better beers, I will suffer the price difference and develop some techniques for handling it (maybe disolving it in water pre dumping it in the kettle...)

Cheers
 
I dont really like LME because I feel that they make a beer darker, I hve never Exp. Taste problems but Brewing a Lager with LME it seems it makes it to dark for my tastes Im a freak about making beers the right color there supposed to be, I would suggest DME and Steeping or PM and DME.
 
I prefer DME but use both. I have found DME cheaper, I can store what I dont use, and there is no real risk of burning it on the bottom of the kettle. I have read that it has a better shelf life too. The way it clumps up when exposed to the water vapor is a pain. As for taste- I cant say that my palette (sp?) can discriminate between the two. For my- the amount and type of steeping/PM grains used is a bigger variable.
 
DME has no liquid. Doesnt burn. Ages better. I only use the light DME and use specialty grains to get to my color. From my experience most extract brews do the same.
 
I usually use both and do a late addition with the LME so it's less likely to develop color and/or burn. They've both got their merits and their flaws, but I will say that I've never personally experienced any off flavor from LME. Then again, I don't buy LME way in advance, so I trust that it's pretty fresh.

If you want to buy in bulk, go with DME. It stores much better and takes up less space.
 
oguss0311 said:
I prefer DME but use both. I have found DME cheaper, I can store what I dont use, and there is no real risk of burning it on the bottom of the kettle. I have read that it has a better shelf life too. The way it clumps up when exposed to the water vapor is a pain. As for taste- I cant say that my palette (sp?) can discriminate between the two. For my- the amount and type of steeping/PM grains used is a bigger variable.

Cheaper? Really? Where do you get it? My local shop nicks me a tenner for each three-pound bag of the dry stuff, but the wet stuff is two and a quarter a pound. I've been using it because it's cheaper.

Except when making a pilsner or very pale beer, in which case you pretty much have to go DME.

I've heard extracts can develop strange oxidation flavors if they sit too long. I don't know. I've never brewed an all-extract beer, or rather not since I was 18, and I'm told steeping grains take care of that problem.

Cheers!

--Finn
 
Finn said:
Cheaper? Really? Where do you get it? My local shop nicks me a tenner for each three-pound bag of the dry stuff, but the wet stuff is two and a quarter a pound. I've been using it because it's cheaper.

Except when making a pilsner or very pale beer, in which case you pretty much have to go DME.

I've heard extracts can develop strange oxidation flavors if they sit too long. I don't know. I've never brewed an all-extract beer, or rather not since I was 18, and I'm told steeping grains take care of that problem.

Cheers!

--Finn

Same for me DME is 10.00 and 3 lbs of LME is 7.00 Gotta love the price of AG :D
 

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