A bit math with kits....

[duff]

Hi,
I am all new to brewing and always followed the instructions. But with all the useful infomation and expertise on here, I am happy to start experimenting.

So, I have two kits laying about, which I did not touch so far, as their flavour (following the instructions) is not the best:
A Young's Brewbuddy Lager (1.8kg) kit and a Young's Harvest Scottish Heavy (1.5kg)

Now I had a funny thought:
The heavy asks for 1.5kg sugar. Can I substitute it with the Lager kit (not careing about the bitterness)?

I know from the past that when I mix 1kg of sugar with the Lager kit, I get an OG of 44 points (1.044) in 22 litres.
So, the Kit and sugar together have: 44*22/(1+1.8 ) = 345.7 points/kg/L

As this is made up out of the two components, I can calculate

(1*sugar + 1.8*Lager)/2.8 = 345.7 with the sugar at 386.5 points/kg/L
bit of math and the Lager comes out at 323points/kg/L
...
That would mean that the 1.8kg of Lager kit give me 581 points/L, while 1.5kg sugar would give me 579.8 points/L

So, without buying any DME or LME and extra hops, I could use the Lager Kit instead of 1.5kg sugar when setting up the Heavy kit.

Does it makes sense?

[DrWorm]

Not too sure about your maths... I use this method

http://www.aussiehomebrewer.com/forum/i ... topic=2221

You mention adding the lager to the heavy but you are also adding the heavy to the lager. You aren't just using some malt/sugar you are mixing two kits, it's not just the bitterness it's the different flavours. This may turn out tasting good but you may turn out with some undrinkable bastard-brew... up to you how you want to use them though.

[duff]

I still want to use the yeast, which was supplied with the heavy. This is the reason why I "add the lager to the heavy". Thought I treat the lager kit as a hopped, light malt extract...

[EliteEvil]

I mixed a Young's lager and a Geordie Bitter kit with a bitter yeast and after about 4/5 months it is drinkable but certainly not good. Not sure how good either of them are alone so it might be better, I don't know.

I suspect however that you would be better off using spraymalt instead of sugar rather than 2 flavoured kits.

[Marcuswarren71]

It's maths! Not math.

[twentyfootwilf]

Don't worry about the math, maths or mathematics you have the right fermentables for a decent brew 3.2 kg hopped malt extract. The lager will not cause any great perceived increase in bitterness as the Heavy will be quite a full bodied malty beer not too bitter in itself and all that malt will balance the extra hops. Will it taste good? who knows, but I'm sure it wont be undrinkable, I would say the chances are it will improve the result of two budget kits. Give it a go and let us know!

[Exiled Bradfordian]

I was considering doing a similar thing with a Geordie Winter Warmer and a Wilko Pilsner. I shall be watching this space with interest.