1 can screamer....

[the_fuzz]

Hey guys,

I was reading about 2 can screamers i.e. no sugar just 2 cans into 20 litres,

does this then mean I could do 1 can into 11.5lites? with no sugar?

If so would I still boil some water and bitter it? add aroma hop etc? and then just add the extract into the water at the end?

[rwh]

Yes. Just keep in mind that kit-can manufacturers normally bitter their cans in the expectation that there'll be 23L and most likely other fermentables added. So you might find it's a bit too bitter (this goes for two-can brews as well).

[NickMoore]

So you might find it's a bit too bitter (this goes for two-can brews as well).

Yup, that does seem to be the accepted wisdom regarding two cans but I do them often and they are never overly bitter. In fact, they're great.

As you rightly point out, most kits are bittered for the addition of 20-odd litres of water and 1kg of sucrose or dex (which are fully fermentable and add nothing but alcohol to the brew) and not 1.7kg of liquid malt which adds sweetness that needs to be balanced with more bitterness anyway (conviently present in the second can of hopped extract).

Sometimes I make them up to 25-27 litres, which gets you a few extra bottles per batch.

[timmy]

On a similar note, what would the MSB Summer wheat made to 11.5L compare to a Coopers Wheat done to the same volume (ie no extra fermentables)?

I guess it would be more bitter but that would reduce over time anyway. And it's a lot cheaper....

[porridgewog]

Yup, that does seem to be the accepted wisdom regarding two cans but I do them often and they are never overly bitter. In fact, they're great.

As you rightly point out, most kits are bittered for the addition of 20-odd litres of water and 1kg of sucrose or dex (which are fully fermentable and add nothing but alcohol to the brew) and not 1.7kg of liquid malt which adds sweetness that needs to be balanced with more bitterness anyway (conviently present in the second can of hopped extract).

Sometimes I make them up to 25-27 litres, which gets you a few extra bottles per batch.

Right on,

I have to agree with you. I to have done several 2 can brews, which I have never found to be too bitter.

[rwh]

I've only done one, a 2 can stout/dark ale. It was too sweet!

It's better now after a few months tho.