1st Extract brew

[RajBoab]

Just kicking around a few ideas.
Instead of sticking with tried and tested kits, could I, for instance.....

1) Add 2 cans of LME, or 2KG of DME, + some sugar to my FV.
2) Simmer 100 grams of Crystal Malt at 65C for 30 minutes in 2L water.
3) Strain off the resultant wort into another pan and in this wort:
4) Boil 20 grams of Fuggles/Goldings for 30 mins (for bittering).
5) Boil 20 grams of Fuggles/Goldings for 10 mins (for flavouring).
6) Steep 10 grams Fuggles/Goldings for 15 mins (for aroma).
7) Strain off the hops and add this to the FV.
8) Top up the FV to 20L.
9) Aerate like mad.
10) Add a sachet of rehydrated Safale 04.
11) Ferment at 20C for 10 days or so.

.....as a help to understanding grains and hops etc before I get anywhere near an AG recipe, and the time required for that!

Would this make an acceptable brew?
Some thing like a light IPA maybe?

I suspect that it wouldn't be any cheaper than a standard kit but may produce a fresher brew.

Any thoughts?

Stuart

[Beer Terrorist]

That looks similar to my first extract brew. I think I used about 30g of a mix of fuggles and golding boiled for 60mins for bitterness (not sure of exact weights; the recipe is at home). It probably wont be reminisant of an IPA, more of a easy drinking bitter. I don't have any complaints through, mine was the best beer I've brewed to date.

[RajBoab]

3 gallons.
Jeez-oh. I didn't realise I'd have to boil that much.
Would it be significantly impaired if I reduced this volume?

[Beer Terrorist]

I only boiled just over half that. It no doubt would have been better if I had boiled 3 gallons plus but I was dealing with large saucepans rather than a boiler and had to make do. I suppose you could use a pan for the grain wort and a pan for the extract wort and split the hops between them.

[RajBoab]

Sounds interesting!

I suppose my problem is that I've not got any specialist boilers etc. I've got a domestic kitchen with domestic pots and pans. My wife's stockpot would have to take one for the team. It's big but in no way could it hold 3gallons.

[RajBoab]

Thanks DAAB.
Will take your suggestions on board.

Stuart

[andyp]

I've been fiddling around with a few litre stock pot boils for a few months and the bittering hop utilisation is always a pain. If you want, check a few of the questions I've posted and the advice recieved. Since I bought my 33 litre boiler life is so much better, easier, cuddlier and squeezier.

Anyway using the lager kits as a base is the way to go. The rest of what you're planning should be fine. You'll add a bit more bittering which is what these kits could do with anyway.

[UmBongo]

Looks like I had a little finger trouble, that meant to say try using isomerised hop extract or use a lager kit as a base for your recipe.

btw you can still make ales like this. Add a little crystal malt and 20g of goldings or styrian goldings for flavour and maybe some aroma hops and you'll have a nice bitter.

I take it I would still need to add 1kg sugar or DME to the lager kit? Also, since the bittering is already done do I just need to boil long enough for the aroma/flavourings i.e. 20 mins or so?

Thanks.

[UmBongo]

Thanks, I'll give this a go next.

[evilsoc]

You can boil with a smaller volume just take it into account. You will probably get less than half the utilisation in a 1 gallon boil than in a 3 gallon boil and in this day and ages thats a waste of hops!