Extract brew - making my own recipe

[rmp]

I did two extract brews today, both BrewUK kits, the Timothy Taylor Landlord and Exmoor Gold. All went well (at least so far), but whilst I was doing it, I had an idea. Since the kits both use 2.5 Kg of light malt extract, presumably all that differs is the hops, grains and yeast? So the idea came to me, maybe I could experiment and make my own recipe? So, a few questions:

1. If I want to experiment, can I do a smaller batch in case it does not work very well? Ideally say a batch of four litres which could ferment in a five litre mineral water bottle?

2. I can probably work out how to adjust the malt extract and hops (but any advice welcome) however, I am not sure how I would reduce the yeast – is there a way of working that out? And how do you choose what yeast to use?

Any thoughts much appreciated. I had a really good brewing day and am keen to develop my skills as I would eventually like to try an all grain brew, but in the meantime, is this a good idea, or should I go all grain now? I’d really like to get to the point where I can invent a brew rather than just follow a kit, but don’t want to run before I can walk..!

[DaveyT]

That's exactly what I started doing after a post on this forum. I boil 14 litres then split them three ways. The main boil could, for example, be a blond ale of 1.045 OG with 30 IBUs. You could ferment that with US 05 and maybe even dry hop it. The second brew you could steep some crystal malt in a saucepan, boil the liquor for 15 min then add that to get a brown bitter. You could then steep crystal malt, chocolate malt and roast barley then boil the liquor for 15 min. You could even use different yeasts for all three, or the same. Low and behold, a blond ale, a brown bitter and a stout in one brew day! If one tastes foul, laugh it off with a pint of another.
Other ideas: Belgium yeast, Weiss yeast, dry hopping differences, honey, oak chips, spices, lemon, you name it.
In terms of yeast, I calculate how much the packets states it makes then divide it up. Haven't had problems yet.

Hope that helps.
David