BeerBorg

I mixed an HME tonight, just as I did 16 months ago when I started. Except this time I wasn't as nervous or excited. I keep thinking I'm done with HMEs, but BrewDemon kindly sent one along with a spigot replacement. TV is dull, so I mixed it up with a plan to dry hop (for the first time). I tried using my last LBK too, but it leaked at the spigot. My BDC is full, so I resorted to a 12qt pot. I also used S-04. This is my 30th batch.
I might call it "Instant Pale Ale", or just XXX, though in the past that indicated stronger ale.

Even though I could in theory brew AG or with DME/Steep all the time, I don't always have the time, so I have no shame in using them. I've made really good, sometimes even great beer with them by being creative. Don't always have time to brew "for real", and a doctored up HME batch can keep the pipeline full. I tend to use them as a "base malt/bittering" addition, and add other stuff/hops to make it what I want. I do tend to only buy them on sale and with a coupon to make the price more competitive, but say for example if I can get 3.75# of extract, and a good pack of Fermentis/Danstar yeast for $12, I'm not going to pass it up, unless its an HME I find offensive. That's a cheap good beer starter, and sometimes I can use them along with some DME/LME to make 5 gallon batches without having to do a long boil. And more often then not it comes out better then stuff I would pay $12 for a 6 pack of after paying the taxes in my parts.

Good advice Mash. I don't feel bad about using them, they are just not as challenging. I did consider doctoring this batch, and did some research. In the end I just followed the directions, but I will dry hop. I also need to do more research on modifying HMEs, in case I find some on sale. Good beer isn't cheap in NY either, unless I make it, or someone else is buying!