Malt Extract Syrupsit

Reynard

Hi,

I am new on here and would like to say hello and also ask a basic question as I am very new to home brewing

The question I have is can good beers and lagers be brewed with malt extract syrups?  I have heard that most malt extract syrups produce a tangy  strong taste because they are all extracts and can't be made individual. I tried them once with lager and sure enough it lacked the clean finish that most commercial lagers have. My only other attempt was with the notorious beer machine which exploded on me. Is it better to follow the whole process of brewing from start to finish or is this too complex for a beginner to attempt?

Any views very welcome.

Thanks

     

 

HBO_Staff

Welcome and thanks for your question, we think you mean extract kits in general, so the simple answer is that the quality of extracts available in ingredients packs is now so good it can rival any shop/pub bought beer or lager, but you are best to use the better quality ingredients for the best results because as a general rule you do get what you pay for. There are various machines/packs that make it for you, but we don't stock them and instead recommend making your own which requires only basic equipment and not much time or effort. We recommend a starter kit with either all the equipment and ingredients, or just the equipment and add your own ingredients. The kits are very easy to use with step by step guides, check out this video we have had made recently which gives a good guide to the process;

http://home-brew-online.myshopify.com/pages/beer-making-guide

We recommend you try something like the 'Ultimate Brewery' range (needs no sugars or enhancers adding to brew), it has beers and lagers to choose from, and bottle the brew and leave it to condition for a good few weeks for the full flavours to develop, the longer the better. If you wanted to try something cheaper, then we have made the Better Brew Export Lager which was great, but use 1kg of brew enhancer rather than sugar for the best results, it really is worth it.

The equipment pack with bottles is good; http://home-brew-online.myshopify.com/collections/starter-kits/products/hbo-starter-equipment-pack-bottles

Ultimate Brewery ingredients (there are several in this range including beers too); http://home-brew-online.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/brewery-classics-german-pilsner-kit

Better Brew Lager (again various beers are available too); http://home-brew-online.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/better-brew-beer-kit-export-lager

Brew Enhancer; http://home-brew-online.myshopify.com/collections/all/products/muntons-beer-kit-enhancer-1kg

You will find that with the right ingredients home brew beers and lagers can make some fantastic beers and lagers, and the same basic equipment can be used to make beer, lager or cider. The process is simple and quick, and works out very cheaply per pint even with the most expensive ingredients compared to buying beer in the shop or pub. If we can help further just let us know