Muntons Hopped Extract in 3 Gallon Carboy

[derekp83]

I've been thinking about buying one of Muntons' hopped LME cans that are typically 3.3 lbs and brewing a 2.5 gallon batch in my 3 gallon carboy.

Most suggestions I've read are for 5 or 6 gallon batches and typically include an addition of 2 or 3 pounds of DME to boost the gravity and flavor, but I think if I do a smaller batch, the can will be plenty.

Am I right to suggest that the half batch is equivalent to a 5 gallon batch with 2 cans of LME (1 hopped, 1 not)?

 

[jschein]

Yes that is correct.

 

[jimmyjusa]

Could the bitterness be too much since the recipe for the can has 5 gallons in mind?

 

[derekp83]

Could the bitterness be too much since the recipe for the can has 5 gallons in mind?

That definitely makes sense. I might try it nonetheless. I think the worst case scenario is that if it is very bitter, I'll let it rest for a little while and try it a few months later.

 

[derekp83]

Maybe I'll do 4 gallons in a 6 gallon carboy.

 

[jimmyjusa]

I think I've seen/ heard of people use two of those cans instead of adding the kilo of sugar or dme. This would mean that 1 can may just work for a 2.5 gallon batch. It may also depend on how bitter the style of beer is supposed to be and how bitter you like it. I guess it all depends on what you like

 

[derekp83]

I think you are on to something. At the end of the day, I'm out $18 bucks if it turns out bad, but it's likely just going to be stronger than usual, which isn't that bad afterall.

 

[jimmyjusa]

I'm sure it will be fine for what you are looking for. Keep us posted if you do it and how it tastes

 

[derekp83]

I'm sure it will be fine for what you are looking for. Keep us posted if you do it and how it tastes

2.5 gallons of wort sitting in my 3 gallon carboy right now. Waiting for it to cool down. Checked 10 minutes ago and it was 82'F in my hydrometer flask (yes, I know that's not as accurate as the carboy itself). I'm about an hour and 20 minutes into this brew day...probably could go quicker.

OG 1.047...about what I was aiming for with the half batch.

 

[derekp83]

Racked today after about 3 and a half weeks of primary fermentation. FG was 1.018, which is less attenuated than I had expected, but we'll see how it tastes carbonated in about a week.

 

[jimmyjusa]

Perhaps the lack of extract or corn sugar leaves a higher level of unfermentable sugars? Or if using the yeast that came with it perhaps something there.

 

[derekp83]

Perhaps the lack of extract or corn sugar leaves a higher level of unfermentable sugars? Or if using the yeast that came with it perhaps something there.

I wondered that myself. I'm not the best at reading hydrometers either. Mine was saying 1.020 then leaning on the side of the flask reading 1.017 (before temp adjustment) when I tested 5 or 6 times.

 

[ong]

Perhaps the lack of extract or corn sugar leaves a higher level of unfermentable sugars? Or if using the yeast that came with it perhaps something there.

I would tend to suspect the yeast. The extract does probably have some carapils in it, but it should attenuate better than that, unless the yeast is super non-attenuative, like Windsor.

 

[derekp83]

Tasting right now. It's a very drinkable Irish Dry Stout, with a toasty character akin to Ohara's Irish Dry Stout. This experiment worked out, despite FG questions!

 

[jimmyjusa]

Awesome news that it worked out and tastes good

 

[peterlonz]

Obviously it worked & that's great.
FYI, I have for many years brewed a Coopers two-can stout.
It turns out strong tasting & bitter, but I regard it a decent clone of Guinness & the cost is minimal, just two cans nothing else, even the Coopers kit yeast works (under any conditions).
As I say, FYI

 

[derekp83]

Obviously it worked & that's great.
FYI, I have for many years brewed a Coopers two-can stout.
It turns out strong tasting & bitter, but I regard it a decent clone of Guinness & the cost is minimal, just two cans nothing else, even the Coopers kit yeast works (under any conditions).
As I say, FYI

I've heard of this before. You can't go wrong with a decent clone of Guinness.