Question: Brewing with only Hopped Extract

[Onyxhawk]

Hi, all.

I brew only small extract batches with a Mr. Beer fermenter.

The cost of a MB refill kit (two cans; one HME, one UME) is over $20 with shipping. This makes only two gallons. Obviously not entirely cost effective.

My question: Could I brew a stand-alone Hopped Extract, from another vendor?

In example, I'd like to brew a HME from Munton's (with no added fermentables). I want to use this extract alone, in equal measure to that of Mr. Beer's refill kits.

So, my recipe would be as simple as this:

Spring water
Munton's hopped malt extract
Yeast (preferably ale)

Would this actually work?

I'd really like to be able to brew on a tight budget. I'm not entirely new to brewing, so I'm familiar with gravities, pHs, abv and such.

Thank you in advance!
Onyxhawk

 

[jmprdood]

It would. But the larger cans are hopped for 23L of beer. Might be more bitter than you'd want.

 

[Andrew5329]

It would work, but your probably better off buying a 3 pound bag of dried malt extract for $10 instead of liquid, just because you can save whatever portion you dont use for your next batch.

From there just do a basic 1gal boil with .5oz of boiling hops at the start and .5oz of finishing hops right before the end. I promise you that the taste and smell will be a lot crisper than pre hopped extract is.

You probably wont be able to find .5oz baggies of hops, but at $1.50 for a 1oz bag it's not a big deal even if they go bad before you make your next batch.

Depending on exactly what strain of yeast you buy your looking at $10-15 a batch depending on how much DME you use.