Holland and Barrett Malt Extract

[canarytim]

I've seen a bit of traffic on JBK about the cheap source of LME from Holland and Barrett: 454 gr for £1.89

http://www.hollandandbarrett.com/pages/ ... =477&sid=0

Has anyone tried making a brew with it? And if so, would it be closer to amber LME or dark LME in terms of recipe?

I'm contemplating a Baltic Porter SMaSh with my homegrown fuggles. But needing 5.5kg of LME means its likely to be an expensive experiment!

[dmuz]

I've used it a couple of times to adapted Lager and APA kits that have turned out not too shabby. I'd say it was close to amber but have never used dark lme so cannot compare.

[Bayerd]

Why not use spray malt and just brew a gallon's worth? You can always upscale afterwards if you like the result.

[Brighteyebeer]

I had a bad experience using extract that was targetted at the health food/cooking market rather than home brewers. I came across 'Suma' malt extract on Amazon - £11.51 for 3.2kg delivered. I made a brew with half of it. I tried it the day after I'd racked it into a PB, and it was truly awful. I came back to it the next day to try again. Still awful. Ok, I hadn't matured it at all, but rapidly concluded that any amount of maturation would not make this beer ok. I slung it - I'd rather use the barrel for a beer I'm happy to drink. There was no way I was going to make myself drink 5 gallons of stuff I didn't like. I still have the other half of the extract - it's headed for the bin soon! I'll remember to check here before I buy unknown brands in future. Which reminds me - Rayners Organic ME is very reasonable from online health food sources. Anyone tried it? Any good?
Cheers, Chris

[canarytim]

Hi ,

The cheapest LME I've come across is £58.20 for 25KGS.

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... syrup.html

Just a thought.

[SBMongoose]

I think this works out even cheaper if it's any help...
http://www.worcesterhopshop.co.uk/index.php?cPath=18

[canarytim]

You were right....but now it's gone!

[Waywood]

I have to use food grade malt extract as nothing else is available in the middle east. I have tried three varities: Meriden, Potters and another organic brand labelled as 'malt syrup'. The result is a drinkable brew, although it does have a particular taste, meanting that all brews will have an underlying flavour regardless of hop varieties and other ingredients used. Additionally, it is always on the dark side so I omit any black malt called for in the recipe and tend to use it for darker style beers (Ruddles County & ESB). I import Dry malt extract when I travel and find that it is certainly superior in colour and taste. If I were living in the UK, I would only use food grade malt extract it for a yeast starter culture.

[Steve B]

I got bored a few weeks ago and had enough pots of H&B malt extract to make up a brew, using Crystal Malt to add some body and chocolate malt because I had some! I made up as near as I could to a Pendle Witch clone from GW's book, adding a bit of spare styrians at flameout because I had some to use up.

It's just coming into condition in the cask now. Originally it tasted a little artificial (I'd have sworn with the dreaded malt extract twang) but all that has mellowed out and I'm left with a very hoppy bitter with good body. I've got to admit I was surprised - I thought it'd be pants!