Kit-based recipes

[Luther]

Hello,

I'm keen to get some new brews on the go. I've no equipment to do anything but kit brew at the moment, but am keen to do at least a bit of tweaking, so I wondered if anyone had any good recipes based on kits?

I've just done the Hoegaarden one that Mr.C posted a couple of months back, and that's going down a treat. Doesn't really taste like Hoegaarden to be honest, but it is lovely! That was ideal for me; start with a standard kit, do a boil in a stock pot with some hops and other bits and bobs and away you go. Seems like a good way of gently sliding toward extract brewing and ultimately AG, once I've found money for the kit.

Any suggestions? A nice, sturdy bitter would be good, or maybe even a porter or something.

Cheers

[stevezx7r]

The kits come in various different styles and quality. If your suffering from the "current economic downturn" then your best bet would be a Geordie/Youngs bitter/lager. Edme do a decent single can bitter and stout but the best (and most expensive) is the Coopers range. If you have extra cash then most of the two can kits such as the Brupaks or Muntons are definately worth a look. They're twice the price of the mid range single can kits but are twice as good. They usually come with extras such as a "teabag" of hops to add if you fancy.

But, after re-reading your post, it seems your after a recipe to improve on a kit you already have In which case, do as you are and either add hops in the pan your boiling your wort in for extra bitterness (30 mins should do) or add the hops at the end of the boil to increase hop flavour/aroma. This hobby is all about experimentation so crack on

As a thought, why not buy some unhopped (pale/dark) malt extract from your local HBS and add your hop combinations that way? Then you can make what you fancy.