Steeping grains and beer kits

[nicklawmusic]

Hi there,

I'd love to 'bump up a beer kit' by adding some fresh ingredients, such as speciality grains, but how do you know which grains to use with which beer kits/style, how do you work out how much to add, and how do the grains effect the beer' gravity?


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[Nates4golds]

In my experience the grains increase gravity. When you are curious of what grains to use I look up similar beer recipes to what I am making.


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[nicklawmusic]

Surely a beer kit already contains certain grains within the hopped concentrate. How do you know you're not just adding more of the same?

For example, I want to make a stout and was thinking of adding some chocolate malt. But what if the kit already has lots of this in it, will it not just be overkill?

Also, if I'm using steeping grains, do I want to use less fermentable sugar such as dextrose, And so how much less?


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[muels]

Surely a beer kit already contains certain grains within the hopped concentrate. How do you know you're not just adding more of the same?

For example, I want to make a stout and was thinking of adding some chocolate malt. But what if the kit already has lots of this in it, will it not just be overkill?

Also, if I'm using steeping grains, do I want to use less fermentable sugar such as dextrose, And so how much less?


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Maltodextrin - adds mouthfeel with low fermentables
Extra light DME - adds fermentables with little flavor
Steeping grains - add flavor and aroma with no fermentables

This is from what I've read, I'm no expert.

Be sure to search the forum with your question, all the information is on here somewhere. I would suggesting sticking to the recipe the first time you brew your kit. That way you can explain to the folks on here what is lacking and they can point you in the right directions. Good luck!


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[Yooper]

you definitely get color and flavor and fermentable sugars from specialty grains!

In order to pick the best recipe, you'd have to have a goal in mind and a purpose for using the grain. Just like if you were making a cake, you'd want to have the right ingredients in the right proportions.

It's easiest to learn about recipes and grains if you buy a kit that contains extract (NOT hopped!), hops, grains, and yeast. There are several brands, but an easy to use brand that is readily available is Brewer's Best. Stores like austinhomebrew.com or northernbrewer.com have hundreds available.

We can also help you make a recipe using grains, yeast, extract and hops if you want to create your own recipe.

just throwing extra stuff into a prehopped kit without a goal is unlikely to create something that would be desired, much like if you were making that cake and decided to add extra salt or something. It's all about balance and flavors.

 

[muels]

Sorry Yooper - I was under the impression that the steeping grains in an extract batch were for color and flavor and imparted no discernible fermentable sugars. Thanks for the correction!

See what I mean Nick!! give specifics and someone can advise you or correct you and you get to learn something.

Steeping grain wiki - https://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Steeping_grains

edited to add link

 

[nicklawmusic]

I was hoping to do the Coopers Irish Stout kit and add some chocolate malt (around 500g). Obviously, I get those grains wouldn't work in an IPA! Not quite ready to do extract brews yet with boiling stuff. I was going to but got confused by what pot size I needed and topping up with cold water, etc.


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[muels]

The Northern Brewer website has instructional videos on brewing their extract kits. They are pretty straightforward and helpful. That, coupled with the written instructions they provide, makes it very easy to feel confident on your first brew day. There is plenty of info out there (and in here) to help you learn.

 

[DaNewf]

I was hoping to do the Coopers Irish Stout kit and add some chocolate malt (around 500g). Obviously, I get those grains wouldn't work in an IPA! Not quite ready to do extract brews yet with boiling stuff. I was going to but got confused by what pot size I needed and topping up with cold water, etc.


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Cooper's has a recipe page. Some of those recipes involve adding steeping grains. For instance:

Cooper's ChocLiqueur Stout
1.7kg Thomas Coopers Irish Stout (or Original Series Stout)
1.5kg Thomas Coopers Amber Malt Extract
300g Chocolate Malt (or Roasted Malt)
50ml Chocolate Flavoured Spirit essence

I made this one a long time ago and it was pretty good. I'm almost tempted to try it again with some cocoa powder and lactose but there's a similarly styled all grain recipe I want to try which (if it works) would be a much cheaper brew.

 

[nicklawmusic]

Thanks. I live in the UK though... They're an American firm, right?!


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[nicklawmusic]

Thanks. I live in the UK though... They're an American firm, right?!


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[muels]

Yep, sorry. I don't know any uk places.


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