Adding Extracts late in Boil

[MrDanders]

I need some help in understanding why some recipes call for adding extracts late in the boil. Why, for example, does a BYO extract+grains recipe for an Anchor Steam clone have a usual first-boil addition of some DME, followed 45 minutes later by the addition of a can of LME?

What function is served in the boil of a late add?

Thanks.

[fully_krausened]

I may be wrong but I believe it has to do with not darkening the extracts by boiling them for the full time at such concentrated levels as are usually brewed in extract recipes. My understanding is that the extracts supposedly darken with long concentrated boils. Also, I think it has to do with hop utilization. Someone else can explain this aspect better than me. It is really only necessary to sterilize the extract by heating it for a short time thus the late addition.

Hope that helps some.

[MrDanders]

That makes sense....Thanks.

[slothrob]

Hop utilization and carmelization, which results in that darkening of the color and a flavor change that some people credit with giving many extract beers a detectable off-flavor.

[MrDanders]

Thanks. Does that mean that you can really wait longer to put extract into a grain tea for all recipes? Also, is there a difference between DME and LME in the boil? That is, does one or the other stand up better to the full 60-minute boil?

I'm still learning this stuff -- On my 3rd batch now.

MrD.