Kit Brewing

[Guzluka]

Basically, been brewing straight to extract on the hob because I just followed a recipe online. To be fair it has increase my thirst and knowledge for brewing. Have done about three various recipes but theres no brew shop around and I it looks like I may have try a kit from wilkos. Whats the best kits around? Can I add things of my own? Feeling a little experimentive!!! Wouldnt mind trying a foreign lager or something of that kind because got a few stouts/porters on the go. Anything you'd recommend?

p.s how substantial does the type of yeast you use make to your ale?

[alefric]

If you only have Wilko's handy you're down to Woodfordes Wherry.......use the yeast that comes with it but make a starter as the sachet is quite small.

Andrew

[Guzluka]

Is that the best of a bad bunch then? What styles does the wherry come in?

[PureGuiness]

The Wherry is the only 3kg kit that Wilkos do but it's at a bargain price of £14.99 at the moment. My first impressions are that it makes a very nice drink. It's a fairly light coloured, hoppy ale with a bitter aftertaste.

I've not tried any of the 1.5kg kits so can't really comment on the other kits at wilkos.

[redskinweasel]

Hey Guzluka,

The wilko's near us stock Coopers kits for £9.99. I have read on here that Coopers are pretty good so I'm gonna do the Coopers bitter next.

Cheers

[mickhew]

I just finished drinking a barrell of Coopers Bitter (not all in one sitting!) and yes, it is good. Make it with spraymalt not sugar though, it'll taste nicer.
Mick

[Guzluka]

Might try a coopers then and get it in a lager/light ale fancy something light for the summer. What about muntons, are these good?

[KevP]

What about muntons, are these good?

Muntons are this countries only (known) remaining bulk producers of Dry Malt and Malt extract for the home brewing market, with the demise of Diamalt they pretty much have the monopoly in this country and produce and can pretty much all British kits you see for sale, but we have some cracking kit beers in the shape of our antipodean cousins in Australia, your Wilko's should stock Coopers kits and they are pretty damn good, give them a try!
Coopers kits have a good reputation here for price, reliability, and end product, I have made up 5 different varieties of Coopers kits and they have all been cracking, with the Dark Ale still my favourite kit ever.

[Guzluka]

Have some dark ales on the go but fancy something light this time. Is 1.5kg ok for 5 gallon? Adding some spray malt instead of sugar? And possibly throw in some extra hops for flavour?

[mickhew]

The one cans are normally 1.7kg, fine for 5 gallon but need addition of sugar (1kg). Yes, use spraymalt instead for a better pint, can't answer the hop part of your question.

[Guzluka]

Right Coopers Lager, Spray Malt, light or extra light? I know its hopped but do you think hops would add to flavour or leave them out?

Any thoughts?

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Right Coopers Lager, Spray Malt, light or extra light? I know its hopped but do you think hops would add to flavour or leave them out?

Any thoughts?

For lagers, extra-light.