Not So Complete Newbie - Update

[Baldrick]

Hello All

Apologies for not coming back earlier to report on my "progress", but work & other real life stuff intervened......

Anyway, as I reported before, I had made a batch of Wilko's Pilsner using 1 pack of light spraymalt, which I had just bottled. Well, what can I say about it, other than if I can get it the same every time I will be happy. It basically resembles a "Weiss Bier" which I am fond of, & all who have tried it reckon it is good too - result!

I then went for a Caxton Real Ale kit, using a Munton's beer kit enhancer, which is sitting in storage, although I have tried a few bottles with my Idiot Friend - both the stuff I filtered with my the siphon, & the "dregs" that I bottled up & kept separately. To be honest I wasn't too keen, as it seemed to lack taste/body, although it is drinkable, & I think that any further attempts at this will require tweaking.

Next up was a Wilko lager kit, using standard sugar (I dissolve it in hot water before adding to my bucket). That is bottled & conditioning as we speak, & it looks pretty clear & lager-like to me. I bottled most of this into 2 litre PET bottles although I have 2 glass pint bottles of it just so I can compare in case there is a difference.

Finally, I returned to the Wilko Pilsner, making it up exactly as before. This was bottled at the weekend & is currently conditioning - I have big hopes for this as long as it is as good as my original batch.

At present I have not started anything else, but feel the need to do over the coming weekend (anything I do start won't be bottled until at least a week on Monday due to work etc), & am wondering about a Cooper's kit as they are currently on offer in Tesco according to their website. If I do go for the Cooper's I was thinking about taking some advice I have seen that suggests adding malt extract to the mix, I assume in place of sugar/spraymalt, what do the experts here think? I have also read about using syrup or treacle as part or full replacement for the sugar or whatever, can I have your thoughts please. I also understand I should visit my local homebrew emporium here in "Sunny Southend" to get some alternative yeasts, and maybe even some hops to add to my brews, which I am a bit hesitant about in case I really cock it up.

I am also thinking about making a stout - any tips would be very welcome - I would be planning to use the basic Wilko kit for my initial attempt.

Now, I hope this is ok & not breaching any rules, but I am currently taking part in the MacMillan Cancer Support "Go Sober" challenge where I keep off the alcohol (including my homebrew ) for the month. As you know, MacMillan do a great job & really do deserve our help, so if you would like to donate, please do so by visiting my Go Sober page - just search the site for Mark Denton. Thanks in advance.

[6470zzy]

I am also thinking about making a stout - any tips would be very welcome - I would be planning to use the basic Wilko kit for my initial attempt.

My tip to you is to peruse the many many pages of the Ditches Stout thread
viewtopic.php?f=56&t=31569

Get yourself a Coopers Stout kit and get brewing

[Baldrick]

Hi - thanks for the suggestion, looks like I may well try Ditch's Stout (or a very close variation)

Just been on the Tesco's site & ordered, for local collection, a Cooper 's Stout kit & also a Cooper's Canadian Lager kit (it was on offer like the other kits, but 50p cheaper, so I'll give it a go) as well as Cooper's Light Malt - for the lager. I think I will be off to H&B later today or tomorrow to get some malt extract for the stout & so I have my Sunday morning sorted I think, as I will start off the stout & then when I bottle that kick off the lager.

I'll keep you all informed as to how successful or otherwise I am with my efforts.

Thanks as ever for all the help & evcouragement I get from this forum.....

Mark

[Manngold]

The stout is a winner. I suggest following Ditch's method, as many members will tell you it is tried and tested with great results. Happy brewing.

[Baldrick]

Good Afternoon

Well, I have started off a stout using Cooper's Stout & something akin to Ditch's recipe/method. I have used:-

1 Cooper's Stout
2 2x 454g (1lb) jars of malt extract (from Holland & Barrett)
3 2oog (approx., may be a bit less) soft brown sugar (I found out I can get 500g from the 99p shop, cheaper than Sainsbury's & this was branded)

I then mixed up the wort & it formed a head, but no spew, & started to look a bit like a stout.

Then, after stirring it up a bit more, I added the yeast, pushed down the cover on my FV & put in the corner of my lounge (I live in a one bed flat, it is the easiest place to leave it undisturbed), in hope the ingredients will work their magic& help produce something I can be proud of.

I am planning to leave it for 8 days until next Monday when I am hoping to bottle it & leave to condition until at least New Year.

Obviously, any hints, tips or observations will be gratefully received.

Cheers

Mark

[WalesAles]

Good Afternoon

Well, I have started off a stout using Cooper's Stout & something akin to Ditch's recipe/method. I have used:-

1 Cooper's Stout
2 2x 454g (1lb) jars of malt extract (from Holland & Barrett)
3 2oog (approx., may be a bit less) soft brown sugar (I found out I can get 500g from the 99p shop, cheaper than Sainsbury's & this was branded)

I then mixed up the wort & it formed a head, but no spew, & started to look a bit like a stout.

Then, after stirring it up a bit more, I added the yeast, pushed down the cover on my FV & put in the corner of my lounge (I live in a one bed flat, it is the easiest place to leave it undisturbed), in hope the ingredients will work their magic& help produce something I can be proud of.

I am planning to leave it for 8 days until next Monday when I am hoping to bottle it & leave to condition until at least New Year.

Obviously, any hints, tips or observations will be gratefully received.

Cheers

Mark

Mark,
Looks OK to me!
Have you got any Temperature control, How warm is your Flat? Wrap the FV in a big Duvet to keep the heat constant. Is the FV on the carpet
or cold wood flooring, If it`s on a cold floor, put a couple of towels on the floor for insulation. Don`t put the FV near a radiator.
Don`t bottle after 8 days, leave it for at least 14 days. When your gravity reading is 3 days constant, then bottle.
Hope this helps. Keep the questions coming if you are worried about anything!

WA

[Baldrick]

Hello

Apologies, yet again, for not coming back earlier, but the real world continues to intrude............

Well, I left the Coopers Stout to ferment for 2 weeks as advised & then bottled it (into 330ml "Peroni" bottles - got 60 out of the FV). There was less than 1/2 pint left before the dregs & I tasted this - seemed to be ok, just a little flat as you might expect without the conditioning, but definitely a stout. It is now being left to mature until New Year, & I have high hopes.

Sitting in the cupboard at present, I have the remains of my first batch of Wilkos Pils, as well as a 2nd batch that should be ready by now; Wilko lager that I bottled into 2 litre PET bottles (more of an experiment to see if I could produce something reasonably quick & easy to quaff with my "idiot friend" who has been mentioned before), plus 2 pints in glass bottles left to mature which I plan to taste before the end of the year; A Real Ale, that I wasn't too happy with at first, but has either improved with "age" or I have got used to it, this will run out soon, I think.

Now, I have a Coopers Canadian Blonde complete with the enhancer ready to start when I get the time & inclination (basically, I want to do it at a time when I can give it time & attention, which my shifts at present may not do). So, I am thinking about another basic lager or Hoppy Copper to start off this weekend, which should be ready for bottling about a week later, maybe just using domestic sugar as I did for the previous attempts at this which came out well.

Just so everyone is aware of my "facilities", I live in a 1 bed flat, & leave my FV in a corner of the lounge. The heating is not often used & the temperature at the moment is about 18-20c. My FV is on carpet & is nowhere near any of the radiators, so shouldn't experience any massive temperature changes.

Oh, & if anyone is going to the Rochford Beer Festival later today, I'll be there!