Top 10 kit brewing tweaks?

[orlando]

Conditioning time as I find kits take longer to reach optimal condition over AG.

Now that is interesting, why is that? I will need to justify my remarks/claims and as I haven't brewed a kit since Noah was a lad I might get some sceptical looks.

[tricky_dicky]

After brewing numerous kits over the years, I have now got my tweaking process sorted. IMHO all beer kits brewed with no hop additions lack the hop aroma that you get from a good pint in the pub. So this is what i now do with almost every kit I brew. Dry hopping never seems to quite do it for me, it makes the beer very grassy, and hop teas may add some bitterness, but no aroma - this process seems to get the best of both worlds.

Pick some hops that complement your beer - whatever you like really - Saaz for a Pilsner, Cascade for a Golden Ale, EKG for a Bitter etc etc....About 30g should do it, doesn't have to be exact. This works just as well with 1 can or 2 can kits.

Empty the cans into the FV and then fill both cans with boiling water almost to the top and give them a stir. Empty both cans of this malt extract wash into a saucepan and start a rolling boil. Add 1/3 of your hops to this and boil it up for about 10 - 15 mins stirring back in the froth. Then add the remaining 2/3 of the hops, turn off the heat and let it steep for about 30 mins more.

Now add this liquid AND the hops into the FV with the extract and make up the kit as per instructions with half a teaspoon of nutrient - although I generally brew short to either 20 or 21 litres depending on the kit.

Ferment for 14 days, kit should be nice and clear by now. Syphon into a bottling bucket with 80-90g brewing sugar - I use some muslin or a hop sack over the syphon to prevent too much gunk getting into the bottling bucket.

Leave the bottles for a minimum of 4 weeks - and voila you get a cracking beer with plenty of bitterness, nice hop aroma and a lovely malt base to it.

Have tried this with Lagers, Golden Ales, Bitters and Old Ales and comes out great - I generally don't bother adding anything to a stout kit as it has enough roast flavour without the hops

[AnthonyUK]

Conditioning time as I find kits take longer to reach optimal condition over AG.

Now that is interesting, why is that? I will need to justify my remarks/claims and as I haven't brewed a kit since Noah was a lad I might get some sceptical looks.

I'm not sure but I find similar style beers, mainly AG Pale Ales and Ordinary Bitters are OK to drink virtually as soon as fermentation has finished but a kit will improve over the course of around a month.

[orlando]

Pick some hops that complement your beer - whatever you like really - Saaz for a Pilsner, Cascade for a Golden Ale, EKG for a Bitter etc etc....About 30g should do it, doesn't have to be exact. This works just as well with 1 can or 2 can kits.

Empty the cans into the FV and then fill both cans with boiling water almost to the top and give them a stir. Empty both cans of this malt extract wash into a saucepan and start a rolling boil. Add 1/3 of your hops to this and boil it up for about 10 - 15 mins stirring back in the froth. Then add the remaining 2/3 of the hops, turn off the heat and let it steep for about 30 mins more.

Now add this liquid AND the hops into the FV with the extract and make up the kit as per instructions with half a teaspoon of nutrient - although I generally brew short to either 20 or 21 litres depending on the kit.

Thanks tricky a really good "how to" and I have shamelessly nicked it .

[tricky_dicky]

Thanks tricky a really good "how to" and I have shamelessly nicked it .

Quite right too, we can't have people drinking bland beer!!

[timbo41]

Brew a kit straight first ...you might like it!
My favoured base kits normally from Geordie range, the lager. ain't great so lends well to mods, whereas
the Scottish Export is a nice drop albeit a little thin...so is useful when messing with extra malts

[tricky_dicky]

The Wilkinson one can stout is very good brewed as is, I have got a Tom Caxton Lager to do soon, and I am quite tempted to do that straight - it's always good to do that from time to time

[orlando]

Brew a kit straight first ...you might like it!

Don't worry, that is the first outing. The idea is to get everyone in the club to brew the kit EXACTLY as the instructions. The hope is that even this will demonstrate there can be differences with even this approach to brewing because of subtle differences in the brewers approach.

[barneey]

Don't forget Tesco do a nice range of glove so you don't hurt yourself on the hot cans...

pinky

[TC2642]

I always used to put the boiled wort (in a large saucepan) into a sink of cold water to equalise the heat before adding it to the FV and topping it up with water. Not sure if there is any advantage to this but I do remember reading about how it helps the beer, with what, I cannot remember, worth a try though.

[orlando]

Don't forget Tesco do a nice range of glove so you don't hurt yourself on the hot cans...

pinky

Nah, they're rubbish mate, I've been down that route, just not flexible enough. They can easily slip and then you've got it all over your brew shoes

[barneey]

And the perferred glove is?

Ive often fancied a pair of those overn gloves that actually have the fingers to them but from memory they are rather expensive, or should one not be such a tart and just clasp the hot tin with a bare hand?

[orlando]

And the perferred glove is?

Ive often fancied a pair of those overn gloves that actually have the fingers to them but from memory they are rather expensive, or should one not be such a tart and just clasp the hot tin with a bare hand?

I like your mitten myself, preferably cloth based, pattern to suit I've tried the macho approach and can now commit crimes without gloves

[Monkeybrew]

Brew a kit straight first ...you might like it!

Don't worry, that is the first outing. The idea is to get everyone in the club to brew the kit EXACTLY as the instructions. The hope is that even this will demonstrate there can be differences with even this approach to brewing because of subtle differences in the brewers approach.

Have you got the kits yet, because I see on here that they are on offer at Wilkos for £16 each

MB

[orlando]

Brew a kit straight first ...you might like it!

Don't worry, that is the first outing. The idea is to get everyone in the club to brew the kit EXACTLY as the instructions. The hope is that even this will demonstrate there can be differences with even this approach to brewing because of subtle differences in the brewers approach.

Have you got the kits yet, because I see on here that they are on offer at Wilkos for £16 each

MB

No, good spot. I was on the site 2 days ago checking out the prices and they were £19 each delivered. Is it in a special section?