I think that you are probably right . . . the production techniques for malt extract do not lend themselves to successful lager brewing. I have had some success with Muntons Premium Continental pilsner . . . with S23 and fermenting cool (13-15C) . . . . . I would also suspect that the Brupaks Beers of the World kits are very good . . . but have not had the time or inclination to try them :) . . . . but the golden rules of lager brewing still apply
Use a genuine Lager yeast - most supplied with kits are an ale yeast
Ferment it cold (9-12C, and certainly below 15)
Pitch at the fermentation temperature, not at 20C and allow it to cool
Pitch Sufficient yeast - 11g at 9C is not enough . . . you need at least 22g
