Malt & Extract

Malt extract for easy, reliable brewing

Malt extract is the shortcut that made home brewing accessible. It is malted barley that has already been mashed and concentrated, so you get all the fermentable sugars without owning a mash tun or spending a morning on it. The range here covers both forms and a spread of colours, from pale base extracts to rich dark ones, from names like Briess and Muntons.

New to this? Our guide on how to choose malt extracts helps you choose.

Dry or liquid

Dry malt extract, or DME, is a powder that stores well, measures easily and dissolves cleanly, which makes it the tidy everyday choice. Liquid malt extract, or LME, is a thick syrup that is a touch cheaper by the pound and gives a slightly fuller flavour, though it is stickier to work with. Both come in light through dark, so match the colour to the beer style you are brewing.

The beginner's best friend

Extract brewing is the friendliest way in, and it still makes excellent beer. Add your hops in the boil, pitch your yeast, and finish with a little priming sugar at bottling. New to it all? Start with a complete beer making kit.