William's Kits Have no Specialty Grains

[triangulum33]

Why do William's Brewing kits have no grains? Do they supply LME that has the malt and specialty grain extracts?

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Most likely. Basic extract kits hardly ever come with grains.

 

[thataintchicken]

My understanding is they blend extracts to get the desired results.
Ease of operation for the kit purchasers.

I've used their kits in the past with good results, I've usually added some steeping grains to get the color or flavors I desired.

They are a good company and the kits are solid.

 

[Marko73]

+1

I have used their kits in the past and a lot of them were much better than kits that came with specialty grains. I think their malt extract is not just base extract; they actually make it with different grains to get the desired flavor profile. I know one of the malt extracts is made with a lot of crystal.

For example, this is the description of their 'Pale Ale' from their website:

Our Pale Ale extract is mashed from the finest two row European pale ale malt, and is ideal for English and American style Pale Ale and Bitter. Compared with our German Pils extract, this one has a slightly darker color and a hint of caramel in the malt flavor. An aromatic, rich flavored pale extract with a 'just mashed' character for ale and IPA styles.

 

[triangulum33]

Good info! Thanks!

I was wondering how their beers would turn out with no grains....

The ingredient list for their Triple says:
Includes 12 pounds of German extract and pale beet sugar, flavoring and aromatic hops, 125 ml of liquid ale yeast, and corn sugar for carbonation.

 

[Marko73]

One thing to note about their kits is that they do not label the hops and won't name them besides what is in the description. They consider their recipes propietary (sp?) information. I have seen some folks on the forum frustrated by this so I just wanted to let you know.

BUT, if this doesn't bother you, I think these are the best kits out there.

 

[triangulum33]

Thanks Marko.
I'm pretty sure that if I went to all the effort of coming up with a recipe, I dont think I would list the ingredients either.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Thanks Marko.
I'm pretty sure that if I went to all the effort of coming up with a recipe, I dont think I would list the ingredients either.

I suppose I can agree with that if you're selling your kits. But, there's a lot of people on this forum and all over the internet that share recipes. Northernbrewer.com even posts their recipes for anyone to see. I'm not against buying a kit if I'm wanting to brew without thinking, but I want to know what's in it before I buy it. I can usually tell whether or not I'll like the beer by what's in it.

 

[david_42]

I'm also a bit puzzled by their attitude. Since they are sending you custom extracts, you wouldn't be able to duplicate the recipe anyway.

Been a while since I made one of their kits, but I've enjoyed them in the past.

 

[Shooter]

I wanted to brew up something for the holidays and ordered one of their kits a while back because I didn't have time to do a full AG batch. Just wanted an extract kit I could do on the stove. I was also a bit surprised that they didn't have any grain in there and that the hops weren't really labelled. I was also expecting to get dry yeast for some reason, because it wasn't really clear, but they sent a smack pack as part of the kit.

 

[cruckin78]

One thing to note about their kits is that they do not label the hops and won't name them besides what is in the description. They consider their recipes propietary (sp?) information. I have seen some folks on the forum frustrated by this so I just wanted to let you know.

BUT, if this doesn't bother you, I think these are the best kits out there.

Yeah that is one thing I did not like about my LHBS's kits. The grains all mixed and crushed in front of you, but you dont know what they are mixing. The hops are labeled "Bittering" "Flavoring" "Aroma". I assume they are doing this to protect "their" kit.

Helping me understand the flavor of my beer!!!

I started printing out the Northern Brewer Inventory sheets, and taking the list from the "kit inventory" to my LHBS and buying the ingredient separate. It comes out cheaper then the kit, and I learn which malts taste like what, and like wise with the hops.

 

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Yeah that is one thing I did not like about my LHBS's kits. The grains all mixed and crushed in front of you, but you dont know what they are mixing. The hops are labeled "Bittering" "Flavoring" "Aroma". I assume they are doing this to protect "their" kit.

Helping me understand the flavor of my beer!!!

I started printing out the Northern Brewer Inventory sheets, and taking the list from the "kit inventory" to my LHBS and buying the ingredient separate. It comes out cheaper then the kit, and I learn which malts taste like what, and like wise with the hops.

The problem is... if you like their recipe, you should buy it from them. They go through a lot of time to create good recipes for people, and buying it is showing support for that. This is the main reason companies keep their recipes secret, because they know they won't make money off of them if people can get it cheaper at the LHBS.

Usually what I do is... I'll look at their recipe. If I think it looks good, then I'll buy it. If it turns out great, I'll make it again, but not with their kit. I figure buying it once is good enough.

 

[Clifton]

The problem is... if you like their recipe, you should buy it from them.
If it turns out great, I'll make it again, but not with their kit.

What?

 

[Clifton]

Anyone bought their extracts and just added their own hops? They sell 32lbs of the Pale Ale extract for $55. I was thinking of buying some to simplify my brewing for a little while. Going extract w/o steeping grains will save me 30 minutes each brew.

 

[Malticulous]

I've bought a lot of things from Williams, including extract, but no kits. They are one of the better places I've used.

When I did buy extract kits I always used Northern brewer because they made it easy to know what was in the kit. Most other places will have it written out with the kit. I learned quite a bit about the different ingredients that way.

It really is against these stores better interest for you to learn too much. Soon you make your own recipes buying in bulk and they make less money off you. Forest even said that us all grain brewers are not where most of his money comes from. It's the extract kit brewers.

 

[Clifton]

I've been searching and reading some past threads about William's Brewing. It looks like 8lbs of their extract in a 5 gallon batch only yeilds a wort of about 1.050. That's only 31 PPG. Briess is 36 PPG. Anyone know why?

 

[Malticulous]

More water.

 

[GottaGetABrew]

I can attest to that. I used 8lbs of their extract a few weeks ago and it yielded a 1.056 after steeping some grains. I have purchased equipment and ingredients from Williams and have always been happy with them.

 

[pokerfreak2]

Has anyone brewed the Williams bourbon Barrel Stout ? If so what do you think the spices were that is mixed in with the oak ? It smells like redman chewing tobacco.