Hi All
Sorry for the long delay... had a mental time with some idiot in a Jag wrecking the back quarter of my car.
and some bank holidays away.
Nothing as exciting as 'Stomach' imagines. lol
So how is the brew?
I left if a good 10 days to ferment, the yeast I used (alcotec turbo 48), did just like it does with my vodka base, it went mental in the first two days and then the activity died away. It was still slowly fermenting and the yeast instructions do state: (in regards to the method for making the vodka base)
"After two days the yeast will have fermented the brew to aproximately 17% ABV. Fermentation can, if chosen, continue for a further 5 days to acheive approx 20% ABV"
I left it a bit longer as I was away over the bank holidays.
On the last bank holiday I bottled it, (5x 2L PET) with a small ammount of sugar to allow bottle conditioning, left in the warm spare room for a week. I always squeeze in the PET when I seal them so I have a visual aid to how the SV is progressing. They took a while to pop out and even then they arent as pressurized as a normal beer. I guessed this may be because I used a bit to much sugar when mixing so I think this yeast cant do much more converting, and also there are the 'unknown variables' of using this yeast with something it wasnt ment for.
When I moved it to the cold store, (under my stairs with Harry Potter), I couldn't resist testing it... that was Saturday morning. When I awoke in Casualty with a tube down my throat...
Nah.. just kidding
. I tried a half pint and here is the result.
1: It is very strong. The OG and FV numbers work out to about 17%. You can taste the strength too, that definite alcohol tingle you get with any drink higher than a normal wine.
2: Its sweet. This backs up my theory that the yeast has stopped working efficiently. I realised after fermenting that I messed up my calculations and forgot to factor in any fermentables already in the ale kit in my working out. I followed the yeast instructions sugar quantity which is added to just water.
3: The yeast has given the ale a rather unique twang. I cant say its unpleasant, but it is there. The brew isn't as clear as a normal brew at the time I drank it, so this taste is prob from some yeast still in suspension. After a month or two resting the yeast should drop nicely and mature a bit too.
4: If I value my kidneys and my sanity, I will not drink any more than a pint at a time.
5: Given time to condition, I dont see why this ale will not be a bit of a stonker. I know that any of my brews I drink a week after bottling/kegging are never at their best so the same will be true here.
6: As my OP stated, this is an experiment to see 'What if?', that said its far from a failed one. Its drinkable, tasty (any suggestions to lower sweetness would be appreciated
) and stands as a good demonstrator to mates and family that yes, I can brew a beer and yes I can brew something to blow your socks off.
Will I brew it again? YES! but with some changes...
1: reduce the amount of sugar when preparing or lengthen the brew.
2: do some research on any forums with a discussion on this type of yeast to pick up any tips to make it drop clearer or improve its fermentation.
3: Be more selective with the Kit. I used this one as it was a freebie, but this type of ale may not be the best for a head shrinker. Maybe a porter or stout?
Feel free to ask any questions.
If there is anyone local in Somerset who want to try it, please PM me.
Now, as this is a freebie and my own logic says if I kipper it then I havent lost anyting I was toying with making a super strong ale, with the intention being just to let people taste it and go, "Jeez! Only a madman would create such a tipple?". Definitely not a session beer, more of an exhibition item. 
