Malt extract lets you brew with malt without carrying out a grain mash. It can provide the base for an extract beer recipe or replace some of the brewing sugar in a suitable beer kit. The main choices are liquid malt extract, dried malt extract and the colour or grain variety that suits your beer.
For a pale beer kit that allows malt additions, look at unhopped extra light or light spraymalt. For an extract recipe, start with the type and quantity specified in the recipe. Browse our malt extract range once you know which you need.
What is malt extract?
Malt extract is concentrated wort: the sweet liquid produced by mashing malted grain with water. The manufacturer carries out the mash and removes water, leaving either a thick syrup or a dried powder. You dissolve it in water to make your brewing wort.
It supplies fermentable sugars alongside malt flavour, colour and compounds that contribute to body. Unhopped extract is an ingredient rather than a complete beer kit: an extract recipe also needs suitable hops and yeast.
Liquid vs dried malt extract
Both formats can make good beer. Choose by your recipe, the pack size you can use conveniently and how you prefer to measure your ingredients.
| Feature | Liquid malt extract (LME) | Dried malt extract (DME) |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Thick malt syrup, usually in a tin or pouch | Fine malt powder, often called spraymalt |
| Measuring | Convenient when using a whole pack | Easy to weigh out smaller portions |
| Concentration | Contains more water than dried extract | More concentrated by weight |
| Handling | Sticky; gentle warming helps it pour | Readily absorbs moisture and can clump |
| Common uses | Extract recipes and suitable kit upgrades | Kit upgrades, extract recipes and small measured additions |
Do not swap LME and DME weight for weight. Because their water content differs, the quantity must be adjusted. Use the manufacturer's conversion advice or a brewing recipe calculator with the correct extract selected.
For examples of each format, compare Muntons Light Liquid Malt Extract 1.5kg with Muntons Light Spraymalt 500g.
Is spraymalt the same as dried malt extract?
Yes: spraymalt is spray-dried malt extract. In homebrew recipes, “DME”, “dried malt extract” and “spraymalt” commonly refer to this powdered ingredient.
A beer enhancer is different. Depending on the product, it may blend dried malt extract with dextrose, maltodextrin or other ingredients. Check the label rather than assuming that every enhancer is pure malt extract. Our beer enhancer vs brewing sugar guide explains those choices.
Which malt extract should you choose?
Colour is a useful starting point, but it does not tell the whole flavour story. Check the manufacturer's description and follow your recipe, particularly when substituting between brands.
| Extract | When to consider it |
|---|---|
| Extra light | Pale lagers, pilsners and light beers where you want to limit added colour |
| Light | Pale ales, golden ales and a versatile base for many extract recipes |
| Medium or amber | Bitters and amber ales where richer malt character and colour fit the recipe |
| Dark or extra dark | Brown ales, porters and stouts where darker malt character is wanted |
| Wheat | Wheat beer recipes; check the ingredients, as wheat extract can include barley malt |
| Maris Otter | British ale recipes calling for this barley variety |
For a pale kit upgrade, consider Extra Light Dried Malt Extract 1kg. For a bitter, look at Medium Spraymalt 1kg. For a stout or porter recipe that calls for dark extract, see Dark Spraymalt 1kg.
You do not have to use dark extract to make every dark beer. Some recipes build colour and flavour from specialist grains over a light extract base. Follow the recipe before changing its malt balance.
Hopped or unhopped extract?
Unhopped extract lets you control the hops separately. It is usually the straightforward choice when replacing sugar in an already hopped beer kit and you want to preserve its hop balance.
Hopped extract already contains hop-derived bitterness or character. Use it when your recipe calls for it or when you deliberately want to change the beer's balance. Adding it to a hopped kit can increase bitterness; it is not interchangeable with unhopped extract.
Can malt extract replace brewing sugar?
In many beer kits, yes. Replacing some or all of the additional brewing sugar with an appropriate malt extract can give a fuller, maltier beer and improve head retention. The result depends on the kit, yeast and amount used.
Start by checking whether your kit actually needs extra fermentables. Some kits already contain everything required apart from water; adding extract to those changes the recipe.
- Use the kit manufacturer's malt replacement recommendation where available.
- If the kit permits a mixed addition, replacing part of the sugar can give a smaller change than replacing it all.
- Keep the specified final volume unless you are intentionally redesigning the recipe.
- Expect the original gravity, final gravity and ABV to change when the fermentables change.
There is no single replacement amount that guarantees the same ABV for every kit. Malt extract and brewing sugar do not ferment identically. Measure gravity and use the kit or extract maker's guidance rather than assuming an equal-weight swap gives an identical result.
How to use and store malt extract
For a kit upgrade, follow the kit's mixing instructions and dissolve the extract thoroughly before taking the starting gravity reading. For a separate extract recipe, follow its boiling, hop addition and cooling schedule. Our extract brewing method guide covers the next step.
When adding extract to a brewing pan, remove it from direct heat while mixing to reduce scorching. Add powder gradually and stir well. Keep an opened DME bag away from steam, and reseal it promptly to limit moisture uptake.
Store unopened packs as directed on the label, away from excess heat and moisture. Keep opened DME airtight and dry. Follow the pack's instructions for opened liquid extract and use it promptly; it can spoil after opening. Buying a pack size you can finish helps avoid leftovers.
Frequently asked questions
Is liquid or dried malt extract better?
Neither is automatically better. Dried extract is convenient for weighing small amounts; liquid extract is convenient when your recipe uses a whole tin or pouch. Freshness, recipe choice and brewing practice all matter.
Will malt extract make my beer stronger?
Adding extra fermentable extract to the same recipe can increase potential alcohol. Replacing sugar with extract is different: the outcome depends on the quantities and fermentability. Check the recipe and measure gravity.
Does malt extract contain yeast?
Plain malt extract is not a substitute for brewing yeast. Check what is included with your product; a standalone extract recipe needs a suitable yeast addition.
Can I use supermarket malt extract for brewing?
Check its ingredients and intended use. A product sold for food use may differ from the brewing extract specified by your recipe. Brewing malt extract makes it easier to choose a known type, colour and hop content.
Find malt extract for your next brew
Shop our liquid malt extract and dried spraymalt collection for the available formats, colours and pack sizes. If you are unsure which to choose, contact The Hop Shop with your beer kit or recipe name, batch size and the result you want.
Further reading: Muntons homebrewing ingredients, Muntons malt extract varieties and Briess ingredient handling and storage.
