Festival Homebrew

[parkerwitton]

I have just bought a couple of these kits to try and looking closely they contain barley extract....which is supposed to be an inferior product re the real ale buffs. But I suppose the proof will be in the quaffing.
Any one out there any thought on the matter re barley extract?

[Geezah]

Beer kits consist of a liquid form of malted barley and / or wheat / or both extract.
Its like someone done the mash for you and gave you a condensed tin of the final product prior to fermenting.

I'm sure the beer produced will be far nicer than a can of stella, far more rewarding knowing you made it and far cheaper.

[bob3000]

That is what kits are. Concentrated, hopped barley extract.

[parkerwitton]

Beg to differ Bob most 3kg kits are pure malted hop barley extract.....barley extract is like a syrup that as not been malted, so thus is thought to be an inferior product to malted barley extract.
Like I said the taste will decide in the end.

[twentyfootwilf]

I haven't looked closely enough at the ingredients of these kits, but the one I brewed, Father Hooks Bitter is one of the best kits I've ever done. My 33 yr old son (who visits regularly and drinks my home brew in vast amounts ) says it's the best homebrew he's ever tasted and certainly better than run of the mill pub beers such as John smiths smooth etc. My wife loves it too. They have no idea what the ingredients are and would be non the wiser if they did. So maybe Ritchies have decided that their ingredient list is what makes their Festival kits so good. I certainly will be getting round to doing another one at some stage. I'm sure you wont be disappointed with your purchases.

[twentyfootwilf]

Just found the box from my Father Hooks and on the side it says ' Made with Malt, Hops, water & yeast' on the end it states ' Ingredients Malt extract, hops, hop extract, dried brewing yeast. Allergens, cereals containing gluten.' To me this indicates in essence an all malt kit.

[parkerwitton]

Thanks for the info it was just when I was reading the box it mentioned containing barley extract...so fair dos Father Hooks is an all malt kit.
I will have a gander on the Landlord box to see what ingredients that contains.
When I brew and bottle my Golden Stag I will let you know the result.

[parkerwitton]

Just had a look on the Landlord box and that is an all malt brew.

[twentyfootwilf]

I know some all grain recipes use a small amount of sugar to add a bit of fermentability and extra alcohol, so maybe some of the kits also use barley syrup as an ingredient for the same effect.

[RdRd]

Just checked my Stag kit it says: Malt extract, barley extract, hops, hop extract, yeast so its mixed

But it tastes great so I'm happy.

[bob3000]

Beg to differ Bob most 3kg kits are pure malted hop barley extract.....barley extract is like a syrup that as not been malted, so thus is thought to be an inferior product to malted barley extract.
Like I said the taste will decide in the end.

Right, my mistake. I assumed he meant malt extract. To be honest never herd of using unmalted barley extract instead.