bakers malt extract?

[bad Lee]

I have never done an extract brew other than if you count Cooper's cans.
I get mine when friend and family members come over to Thailand where I live and work.
I think that the local baker's supply shop has malt extract.Will I be able to brew with it?
Cheers,Lee.

[Manx Guy]

Hi!

It depends on a few factors really...

As far as I Know Baker MAlt Extract tends to have a higher Protein content, which could cause haze issues in paler beers.

You would need to makesure that no additives/sweetners or flavourings have been added to the extract.

Is it dry or liquid? It would help if the label advises things like protein/nitrogen content and moisture etc. It might give you a breakdown fo calories from sugars etc.which may be an indication of how much water is in a liquid malt extract.

Last yeasr I used a liquid malt extract from a UK chain of health food store and although it did seem to produce quite a lot of break mateiral on boiling I was able to use it with soem success - especially in dark beers where clarity isnt such an issue.

Beware and read the label.

Once you have the malt extract you'll need to source some good fresh hops & yeast too...

Do you have temprature control available to brew your malt extract beer? I'd imagine the ambient temprature in Thailand is quite high (?)

Regards,

Guy

[bad Lee]

Cheers Manx Guy,cooling is no problem(not a big one) as we are coming to the cooler months where I can get about 22c in my downstairs bathroom OR put together my cooler made from a fridge freezer box and foam.
Yeast I have,my mum's aunt and uncle sent me ale yeast from Australia.
Hops is a bit of a problem.
As for a breakdown of information on the label,sometimes here in Thailand they don't even give you a best before of a name.So I shall have to grill the manager of the shop in question!
I don't mind haze in my beer,just as long as it's not another larger,which is all that you can buy over here.
Let you know how I get on.
Lee.

[Manx Guy]

Hi Lee...

I'd imagine as long as it doesnt have any sweetners or Vanilla added then it should be OK to brew with... You'll need to use a stock pot or other pot to boil it in together with the hops for about 90 mins then if you're fly the pot should then fit in your sink full of cold water to cool. REplacve the cool awater a few times and stir the bew with a sanitized spoon/paddle and it should cool rapidly enough for the cold break to form.
A good 90min vigorous boil and as rapid chilling as you can manage should mean that you cut most of the haze from the beer...

I think the easiest place to get hops from would be Australia also - Craft brewer (google them) should post to Thailand...

But be careful, we all now the Thai government stance on drugs, they may mistake thehop cones for 'herbs'...

You should be able to get most English varieties as well as Pride of Ringwood and the great New Zealand hops - Riwaka, Nelson Sauv. etc.

Good luck, happy brewing!


Guy

[EoinMag]

It depends on the malt. Muntons spraymalt is the same stuff whether sold to homebrewers or bakers, but that only means it's better than the normal baking grade malt, so really it depends on where and how it's made, but as already said the protein content is normally very high in pure bakers grade stuff. I don't see how it would be a problem if making stouts.

[Rookie]

Brew a small batch and see, you could even just use it to make a yeast starter. I always taste my yeast starters and if one of them were to taste off for any reason I wouldn't use it in a full batch.

[bad Lee]

Looks as if the plans will have to go on hold for now!
The bloody shop just stopped stocking malt extract.I will now have to find a new place to buy.

[Rookie]

Looks as if the plans will have to go on hold for now!
The bloody shop just stopped stocking malt extract.I will now have to find a new place to buy.

Now that's a kick in the yams. It's like finally deciding to give the neighborhood trollop a go to find out she's just yesterday turned over a new leaf.