Adapted kits vs Extract

[davekermito]

Yes, I know AG is better...

I've just knocked up a brew this evening which contains the following:

Coopers IPA kit
Muntons Beer Kit Enhancer (out of laziness)
150g of crystal malt, steeped (in 2L), then strained, then...
Boiled with 15g of Challenger for 10 minutes then...
Left for another 20 minutes with an additional 5g Challenger and then added to the mix.

I've got no idea how this will turn out, but looking at the cost and simplicity this looks a better bet than my favoured extract brewing for a quick brew when I can't be arsed to do an AG with my brother in laws gear!

Does anyone else use this sort of method to create a simple decent tasting beer?

Here's hoping I've not created another 5 gallon of drain cleaner!

[Parva]

All looks good to me but at what temperature did you steep the crystal? 62c-68c and you're on a winner, anything other than that then you probably won't have extracted the sugars and flavours from the grain although the rest looks good and should be a nice beer.

[davekermito]

Up to 68C maintained (roughly!) for 45 minutes.

[Prozac]

I'm in exactly the same place.... Muntons Connoisseur IPA + Beer Enhancer + 15g Fuggles + 225g Crystal Malt....
the book I was following said 77C ...... so I that's what I did..... Probably gonna be crap....
I'll learn from it either way.

[Parva]

Up to 68C maintained (roughly!) for 45 minutes.

All looking good then, should certainly make for the best 'kit' beer you've ever had.

[RajBoab]

I think you boys will be pleasently surprised!

I made a cheapo lager kit up with 1KG BKE, 500g dark DME, 150g Crystal steeped and then hopped with Hallertau and Goldings (60g of each I think) on the stove top.

Excellent brew, IMO. My pal, who is the only other person who has tasted my efforts (apart from the wife who doesn't count!) reckoned it was the best home brewed beer he'd ever tasted. Lovely big hop aroma! It has certainly encouraged me to experiment further!!

Stuart

[Barm]

yep - can only agree with the guys; this is a well worthwhile way to create top HB from cheap kits - should be throat-candy rather than drain-cleaner!
IME sometimes you need to experiment a bit to get the hop levels right and restore the balance that you've changed by adding enhancer and grains to a pre-hopped kit. Not sure how bitter the coopers kit is; you may find it could have done with a bit more - but of course it depends on your taste!! I usually go for fairly low hopping (eg 10g) for bittering; but upto 50-60g for flavouring and aroma to deliver plenty of freshness - to me, that's where plain kits are really weak.

[Prozac]

I usually go for fairly low hopping (eg 10g) for bittering; but upto 50-60g for flavouring and aroma to deliver plenty of freshness - to me, that's where plain kits are really weak.

Am I right the bittering goes in at the start and the flavour and aroma go in towards the end of the boil?

[Parva]

I usually go for fairly low hopping (eg 10g) for bittering; but upto 50-60g for flavouring and aroma to deliver plenty of freshness - to me, that's where plain kits are really weak.

Am I right the bittering goes in at the start and the flavour and aroma go in towards the end of the boil?

Yep that's it, spot on.

[davekermito]

I've got in the wrong way round then, d'oh!

It's bubbling away like a beast today. Fingers crossed it'll be a good 'un, especially at almost a tenner less than my extract brews!

Looking at my notes I forgot to say that 100g of wheat malt were steeped as well. No idea if they'll be any good, they were just lying on the side begging to be thrown into the mix!!

[Parva]

I've got in the wrong way round then, d'oh!

It's bubbling away like a beast today. Fingers crossed it'll be a good 'un, especially at almost a tenner less than my extract brews!

Looking at my notes I forgot to say that 100g of wheat malt were steeped as well. No idea if they'll be any good, they were just lying on the side begging to be thrown into the mix!!

Your hop schedule looks correct to me. You tend to chuck more in at the start for bittering as a lot gets boiled off, due to the low-boil time (or none at all) of the aroma hops you don't need so much.

[davekermito]

Rather than start a new thread...

The latest brew I've made has been very active. Not explosive but has been bubbling vigorously for 4 days.

I've done a gravity test on it today and it reads 990 and is still fermenting.

Does that mean *fingers crossed* that my hydrometer is faulty? Or have I got an unlikely but extremely dry 7.5% beer from an adapted kit?

[sparky Paul]

I've done a gravity test on it today and it reads 990 and is still fermenting.

Does that mean *fingers crossed* that my hydrometer is faulty? Or have I got an unlikely but extremely dry 7.5% beer from an adapted kit?

I doubt it, unless you added Dry Beer Enzyme, or something similar.

Your problem must be either...

1. Misread hydrometer.
2. Faulty hydrometer - test in water at 20°C, should read 1.000 or thereabouts.
3. Infection.

[davekermito]

Old hydrometer = full of beer
New hydrometer = new reading of 1014.

[Prozac]

Just kegged the 1st attempt at kit adaption......
tasted ok..... will leave it for 3 or 4 weeks before trying again. I'm planning on decanting this into the Corny to keep me fuelled on a caravanning trip in Feb.

I've got nothing to brew now

I've a stock of about 180 pints, which should keep me going for a while.... but I'll have to get something else on the go shortly.