Is this malt extract OK to use?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by corbmoster, Jun 11, 2016.

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  1. corbmoster

    corbmoster Pundit (848) Dec 15, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    Hi guys, I took a break from brewing for a while and was going to get into it with an easy extract brew. A wheat ale from the book "Brewing Classic Styles". So the problem is: When he first poured the LME into the containers, it was a darker brown color, with lighter swirls. and I noticed it kept getting lighter. and one container started to erupt. He said he had been having problems with the extract expanding. I know he uses Nitrogen to charge the carboy, my theory is: it is over pressurized and when the extract is poured out, the nitrogen wants to come out of solution like CO2 in beer. But I could be wrong. I've never seen this before. Beer friends, what are your thoughts? Is it safe to use? Also, the yeast called for in the recipe was Wyeast 3068, or WLP 3000. He had neither, I got Wyeast 3638 (bavarian wheat), and Danstar Munich Classic. Were either of these a good substitution?

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    #1 corbmoster, Jun 11, 2016
  2. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    I don't know what's going on with that extract, but I wouldn't use it. I'd buy some wheat DME if I wanted to do extract.

    And yes, Wyeast 3638 is fine for a hefe.
     
    #2 VikeMan, Jun 11, 2016
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  3. daem3384

    daem3384 Zealot (691) Nov 24, 2015 California

    Does it smell like it's souring? Because if the overflow is from bacterial activity, I'd use something else. That being said, if it smells and tastes fine, it's fine. When you add the LME to the boil, all of the residual gasses will be driven off, and it will be like nothing was different in the first place.
    I suspect it's just over pressurized, so you should be all good to go.
     
    #3 daem3384, Jun 11, 2016
  4. corbmoster

    corbmoster Pundit (848) Dec 15, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    Extract smells and tastes fine.
     
    #4 corbmoster, Jun 11, 2016
  5. corbmoster

    corbmoster Pundit (848) Dec 15, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    I think you are right Vikeman, I should get DME. But if it smells and tastes fine; I think the only way to show the LME is not good is to try and make something with it. If it makes crappy beer and I get a refund on the LME, the only thing I've lost is a couple bucks for one oz of hops, and my time. The yeast I can harvest and use to make another batch. I want to do BIAB soon, so maybe this will be a thing of the past.
     
    #5 corbmoster, Jun 12, 2016
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  6. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Use it. You probably won't maker a Berliner Weisse. But if you do, that's not so bad either.

    You may need to adjust your volume a little if you're not going to get all of your LME out of the bag. I'd take a preboil reading and either boil the wort longer before you add your hops, or just expect a lower OG when it's time to pitch.
     
    #6 inchrisin, Jun 13, 2016
  7. corbmoster

    corbmoster Pundit (848) Dec 15, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    Wanted to check in and give an update. It's taking a while because I'm having to do a multi step starter due to older yeast. But I've notice that the bottom of the malt extract containers are becoming darker again. So, I think my theory of dissolved gasses was right. I'll brew it as planned. And I'm glad that the recipe includes a pre-boil gravity so, that would allow me to adjust as needed. Question: If I need to adjust slightly, would I be ok adding Pilsner light DME? I have that and extra light DME on hand. Anything else would need to be ordered or a short road trip to pick up. I'll take your advice on extending the boil @inchrisin . It's supposed to be a single addition 60 min hops boil. So, boil for 15 minutes, then add hops and boil for 60 minutes? Sound good?
     
    #7 corbmoster, Jun 13, 2016
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2016
  8. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I don't know a lot about extracts. Wheat extracts are usually a blend of wheat and 2 row or pils. Pilsner LME/DME would be totally appropriate for the style, and I wouldn't hesitate to use it to ramp up the gravity.

    This might be very helpful in estimating your preboil gravity:

    http://hbd.org/cgi-bin/recipator/recipator/hydrometer.html?18344158
     
    #8 inchrisin, Jun 14, 2016
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