questions about Irish Stout kti

[bobkaboni]

I just ordered this extract kit from Midwest Supplies.

Ingredients include: 6 lb. dark liquid malt extract, 4 oz. Chocolate Malt, 4 oz. Caramel 10L, 4 oz. Roasted Barley, 4 oz. Flaked Barley specialty grain, 1/2 oz. Nugget, 1 oz. Willamette pellet hops
OG - 1.043
Potential ABV - 4.3%

I was thinking about adding a pound of DME (dark?) to bump up the ABV a bit. How much would this affect the taste and IBU of the original recipe?

I also ordered the Irish Ale Yeast Activator - Wyeast 1084. Is it necessary to make a starter or can I pitch it without a starter?

 

[flars]

The pound of DME would boost a 5 gallon batch by 1.008 to 1.009 points. It would affect taste and IBUs.

Here is a link to an IBU calculator, ( and others you might find interesting ).

http://www.brewersfriend.com/ibu-calculator/

 

[kh54s10]

Adding a pound of DME will raise the ABV a little. With that amount I don't think you would notice the difference in ABV. I am not sure what flavor changes dark DME would make. Light DME would make negligible flavor changes.

I always suggest not altering kits just to change the alcohol level. If you want higher ABV it is better to choose a different kit which is designed for higher ABV.

I will often take a recipe from a kit and make alterations but for me it is for a flavor difference, not alcohol.

For the yeast I suggest you make a starter whenever using liquid yeast. Unless it is a very small beer. 1.035 OG or less. Some say you can go to 1.060 but that would be pushing it quite a bit, IMO.