[color=blue]
> ... There's one other way to lighten up your brew that I
> forgot to mention. A procedure called "Extract Late Method". The
> 'extract late' method is similar to normal extract brewing except that
> the extract is only present for the last 15 minutes or so of the boil.
> The theory is that hop utilization is improved by virtue of having a
> lower gravity (1.000) wort than is possible with the extract.[/color]

Interesting ... I've never seen this method documented or given that name.
My reading suggests that boiling hops in water will not release/convert
the bitter components very well and that hops needs some of the wort
components to fully isomerize and produce the bitterness desired.
(I think it is said that the PH of water is too high and you need the
lower PH of wort (acidity) for good bitterness extraction). If anyone
has tried this method, please post your results.

On the other hand, I have definitely read that hop utilization is better
with lighter gravity worts... just not ZERO gravity wort (water)...
Perhaps something in-between might be the best: most of the boil with only
"some" of the extract, then add the bulk of it at the end??? Remember
to account for the "better extraction" by using a little less hops or it
could be too bitter for your taste.

Derric