Malt Extract

Malt Extract for Home Brewing

Shop malt extract for home brewing, including liquid malt extract (LME), dried malt extract (DME) and brewing extract suitable for beer kits, extract brewing and recipe development. Malt extract is an essential brewing ingredient used to add fermentable sugars, body, flavour and colour to beer.

Buy Malt Extract for Better Home Brewing

Malt extract is one of the most versatile ingredients available to home brewers. Whether you're brewing from scratch, creating extract recipes or upgrading a beer kit, malt extract can improve flavour, body and overall beer quality.

Available in a variety of styles and colours, malt extract allows brewers to create everything from light lagers and pale ales to rich stouts and porters.

If you're new to brewing, browse our beer starter kits and complete range of beer kits.

What Is Malt Extract?

Malt extract is produced by extracting sugars from malted grain and concentrating them into either a liquid or powdered form. It provides fermentable sugars for yeast while also contributing flavour, colour and body to the finished beer.

Because much of the mashing process has already been completed, malt extract offers a convenient alternative to all-grain brewing.

Many home brewers begin with extract brewing before progressing to recipes using individual malts and grains.

Liquid Malt Extract vs Dried Malt Extract

Home brewers typically choose between liquid malt extract (LME) and dried malt extract (DME).

• Liquid Malt Extract (LME) – easy to use and commonly included in many beer recipes.
• Dried Malt Extract (DME) – longer shelf life, easy storage and convenient measurement.

Both options can produce excellent beer when used correctly and are widely used throughout home brewing.

Upgrading Beer Kits with Malt Extract

One of the most popular uses for malt extract is improving beer kits.

Many brewers replace brewing sugar with malt extract to create fuller body, improved mouthfeel and better malt character.

This simple upgrade can significantly improve results from many beer kits, particularly lager beer kits, pale ale beer kits and IPA beer kits.

Building Better Beer Recipes

Malt extract forms the foundation of many extract brewing recipes. Brewers can combine extract with specialist brewing hops, premium brewing yeast and additional malts and grains to create unique beers.

This flexibility makes extract brewing popular with brewers who want more control without investing in a full all-grain setup.

Many modern craft beer recipes can be produced successfully using quality malt extract.

Brewing Equipment for Extract Brewing

Successful extract brewing requires accurate measurements, good fermentation control and reliable equipment.

Browse our brewing equipment, fermentation vessels, hydrometers and refractometers and cleaning and sanitising collections.

You can also use our Hydrometer Calculator, IBU Calculator and Brewing Calculators to improve consistency and recipe design.

Malt Extract FAQs

What is malt extract used for?

Malt extract provides fermentable sugars, flavour, colour and body for beer brewing. It is commonly used in extract brewing and beer kit upgrades.

Is malt extract better than brewing sugar?

Many brewers prefer malt extract because it contributes additional flavour and body compared with simple brewing sugar.

What is the difference between liquid and dried malt extract?

Liquid malt extract is supplied as a syrup, while dried malt extract is a powder. Both provide fermentable sugars and can be used successfully in home brewing.

Can I use malt extract with beer kits?

Yes. Malt extract is one of the most common beer kit upgrades and can improve flavour and mouthfeel.

Do I need specialist equipment for extract brewing?

No. Most extract brewing can be completed using standard home brewing equipment and fermentation vessels.

Related Collections

• Brewing Hops
• Brewing Yeast
• Malts & Grains
• Beer Kits
• IPA Beer Kits
• Pale Ale Beer Kits
• Brewing Equipment
• Beer Starter Kits
• Fermentation Vessels