What is Malt Extract? A Home Brewer's Guide to Malt Extract and Spray Malt
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What is Malt Extract?
Malt extract is one of the most versatile and useful ingredients in home brewing — a concentrated form of fermentable sugars derived from malted barley, available in both liquid (LME) and dried (DME) forms. It's the key ingredient in most home brew beer kits, but it can also be used on its own to create extract recipes, boost the strength of kit beers, improve body and head retention, and add malt character to a finished brew.
Liquid Malt Extract vs Dried Malt Extract
Liquid malt extract (LME) is a thick, sticky syrup that dissolves easily in hot water and is available in pale, dark, and wheat varieties. It typically contains around 20% water and is easy to measure by weight or volume. Dried malt extract (DME), also known as spray malt, is produced by spray-drying liquid malt extract into a fine powder. It has a longer shelf life, slightly higher fermentable content per gram, and can be added directly to water without pre-dissolving. Both types are suitable for extract brewing and kit enhancement, and the choice usually comes down to personal preference and convenience.
How to Use Malt Extract in Home Brewing
The most common use of malt extract for kit brewers is as a substitute for sugar when topping up a beer kit. Rather than adding plain household or brewing sugar to boost the volume and strength of your kit, adding malt extract or spray malt instead contributes genuine malt flavour, improved body, and better head retention. For pale beers, use light or pale malt extract; for darker styles, medium or dark extract adds colour and roasted character.
What is Spray Malt?
Spray malt (dried malt extract) is available in pale, medium, dark, and wheat varieties at BrewCo UK. It's particularly popular as a beer kit enhancer — added to the fermenter alongside the kit to improve the finished beer. Our spray malt and enhancer range also includes purpose-made beer enhancers that blend spray malt with brewing sugar for a convenient, cost-effective upgrade to any beer kit. Browse the full range of malt extract and spray malts at BrewCo UK and give your next homebrew a genuine upgrade.