Suggestions for a pressure barrel :)

[Manngold]

Hi all,

I have recently purchased some additional FV's and two pressure barrels (got lucky on Gumtree). I have decided that I will use them to help celebrate my 30th birthday towards the end of September. I have one already planned, a IPA with lots of cascade hops. But am unsure on what to put in the other.

I am tempted between the following:
Wilko's Hoppy Copper (brewed to kit recommendations), would be interested in hop additions.
WIlko's golden ale w/honey as an additional fermentable and perhaps an addition of a hop (not sure which - something tropical).

Alternatively, can anyone recommend a kit that would do well in a pressure barrel? I would ideally start it within the next seven days, and want something a bit different to the IPA. I probably wont be able to chill to the temps needed for a proper lager. I really dont want to brew a porter or stout, not a big fan (sorry Ditch if you read this by chance)! Could you also help with recommendations of spray malt, dme, etc, as I am still relatively unsure about those things. Ideally both brews would be between 4 - 5%.

Thanks - happy brewing

John

[Ditch]

I really dont want to brew a porter or stout, not a big fan (sorry Ditch if you read this by chance)!

Not at all, John! Even as I was reading this, I was thinking; " Well, there's my stuff. But, for most people, it's still a bit warm for that, yet ..... "

See? I Do, perfectly. recognise that my gear's for the people who want a Dark beer. And it's certainly not everyone's ideal in mid July or August!

No. If I could get my hands on something like " Ruddles County ", these days? I'd probably just be sat here with a hose pipe in my mouth!

[Manngold]

Havebn't had a ruddles in years! Fairly sure that was the first beer my dad gave me!

[threehub]

Forgive me as a first post, but as a long-time reader on JBK, but never having contributed......

I thought I must start somewhere, and recommend to you putting a bog-standard Muntons Premium Gold Smugglers Ale in one of your newly-acquired barrels. Why ? Well, I have to share that this was the kit that got me back into serious homebrew after a 25 year + break. Not so dark that you'd notice, but a really well flavoured pint even when brewed to the full 23L. As a middle-of-the-road ale, it has always been one i've trusted in the pressure barrel. It does need a full 14 days in primary, and 70g dme/sugar to prime the keg, but the result after 14-21 days is predictably good, and clears well. BTW, don't worry about the yeast smell you'll get having drawn off after the Primary - it is pretty foul, but in no way a marker of what is to come ! No added dry hops required, I find. And I reckon it's one that's so much better in the barrel than in bottles.

Unlike you, I'm a fan of the dark side (Woodforde's Nog, and SparkyPaul's Mild adapted recipe are two other favourites - nice one SparkyPaul, thanks), and I'm keener on more malt flavour than more hop aroma - but Smuggler's is a simple two-can kit that would allow you to spend more brew-day time on a more fanciful or creative recipe for your other keg, and not worry.

[Manngold]

Thanks so much for the suggestion. It seems to be a good beer to offset the Cascade IPA that I will brew for the other. Thank you for coming from the shadows lurker!

[alexlark]

I'll second the Smugglers recommendation. Best kit I've done. Truly better than a pub pint!

[Monkeybrew]

Stomach from JBK sent me 2 bottles of his Muntons Smugglers Ale in our last bottle swap, so I thought that I would pop the last one open to give you an idea of what it looks like



Cheers

MB

[Manngold]

Thanks MB. Will be purchasing this kit with the next pay check! What would you compare the smugglers gold to then guys?

[Monkeybrew]

Thanks MB. Will be purchasing this kit with the next pay check! What would you compare the smugglers gold to then guys?

It's a little bit like Old Speckled Hen IMO.

[mrcpea]

Hi there,
The best kit I've done in a barrel so far is Muntons Midas Touch (a 2 tin kit) brewed as per instructions on the tin.
Closely followed by Coopers English Bitter, made with Muntons Beer enhancer. This also bottled well too.
Then I'd go for Coopers Stout, also made with Beer Enhancer and made up to 21 litres.

[Manngold]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have added the Munton Smugglers Gold kit to my back log. However, it doesn't look like I will get it in the time frame that I need, so I need a back up.

Has anyone done, or could shed light on either of the following kits:

Milestone: Green Man
St Peters: Golden Ale kit

Both of which are in my local town, and seem to be a nice difference to the IPA I have going. I would normally just wait, but am going to be away for a period of time so want to have something I can leave in the FV for a few weeks.

I cant find an awful lot of reviews on line.

Any advice?

Thanks

[adamzworld]

They've got the Green Man on special offer at Wilko's at the moment. I've never tried any of the Milestone's kit before so I'd also be keen to hear feedback from anyone out there who's brewed this.