Dark Rock Session Series West Coast Pale Ale review

[GhostShip]

I was drawn to this kit by the Partridge Brothers review, where they described it as the 'best one tin kit on the market'. They also fermented it with the Dark Rock Session Series Pale Ale Beer Kit Enhancer, so I've done exactly the same.

If you want the Partridge Brothers review, you can find it here;


Kit contents
1 x 1.8kg of West Coast Pale Ale malt extract
Vial of hop boost
Citra and Simcoe hop tea bags
Muntons Premium Gold brewing yeast (6g)

Beer Kit Enhancer contents
Sachet of Harris Pure Brew
Single bag of dextrose and malt extract (1kg)

Kit started 18th December 2021 - made up to 23L with Tesco Ashbeck mineral water. Vial of hop boost added at the start.
Fermented in brew fridge at 20.5°C.
Hop tea bags added on 30th December.
Bottled on 2nd January 2022, with one sugar stick per bottle and put into brew fridge at 20.5°C.
Moved out to cold shed on 16th January.
First pint - 25th February.

The Partridge Brothers were not wrong. Beautifully clear and a lovely golden colour (which may not come over so well in the photo - it was a bit dark). Absolutely no hint of twang on the nose or in the mouth (I used the Pure Brew supplied - no idea if this is the reason or not, but I usually get a slight twang on the nose and there's not a hint here). Great hoppy aroma and the first mouthful was glorious. You can taste the hops and then it becomes almost floral, before ending with a perfect bitter finish. If I was passed this to try by a home brewer, I would have assumed it was a premium kit, or possibly even a full grain - it's that good. I'm really going to enjoy drinking this one - it's a cracker and the fact I have another 39 pints sitting in my shed fills me with joy.

 

[damienair]

Great review. Enjoy the rest. It looks great. I’ll keep my eye open for this one.

 

[White Rose Al]

These really are fantastic kits

 

[Graz]

Thanks for the review, sounds great! Just this bit that would have me a bit nervous, having had a few Woodforde's kits stick in the past due to stingy yeast sachets I'd probably swap it for a 11-12g sachet of yeast such as Safale S-04 or US-05.

Muntons Premium Gold brewing yeast (6g)

 

[White Rose Al]

Never had a DR kit stick on me

Remember that these kits work best with the enhancer which gives yeast nutrient amongst over benefits so I suspect that is what keeps fermentation moving along.

 

[clib]

Are these kits rebadged? Maybe Black Rock kits? With hop pellets added? What yeasts do they use?

 

[Thebiggestal]

I poured my first pint over the weekend. Absolutely delicious. Would definitely recommend having one of these kits in the cupboard if you’re short on time to bash out a part or full grain. Looking forward to the weekend for a few more.

 

[White Rose Al]

Are these kits rebadged? Maybe Black Rock kits? With hop pellets added? What yeasts do they use?

I believe its formally Harris.

Normally a single can kit with dry hopping

Done a few and all have been brilliant, in my personal opinion they are the best single can kit on the market

 

[clib]

I believe its formally Harris.

Normally a single can kit with dry hopping

Done a few and all have been brilliant, in my personal opinion they are the best single can kit on the market

MJ kits are good but they are single pouch I guess!

So Dark Rock is a Harris rebrand I presume. They obviously have a great range now.

 

[Davegase]

started 18th December 2021 - made up to 23L with Tesco Ashbeck mineral water. Vial of hop boost added at the start.
Fermented in brew fridge at 20.5°C.
Hop tea bags added on 30th December.
Bottled on 2nd January 2022, with one sugar stick per bottle and put into brew fridge at 20.5°C.
Moved out to cold shed on 16th January.
First pint - 25th February.

Staggered by your patience, I couldn't have waited that long to try the 1st pint

 

[matchles1]

Thanks for the review, sounds great! Just this bit that would have me a bit nervous, having had a few Woodforde's kits stick in the past due to stingy yeast sachets I'd probably swap it for a 11-12g sachet of yeast such as Safale S-04 or US-05.

Thought it was just me that woodfordes get stuck

 

[Branny]

Put this on today but forgot to take gravity reading. Any idea on your original gravity? Thanks.

 

[saabanana]

I put the same on yesterday, using the Dark Rock enhancer. Mine was 1.036, will be lucky to get 3.5%, which I don't actually mind, but I'd rather they were honest. Still, looking forward to trying it.

 

[Branny]

I put the same on yesterday, using the Dark Rock enhancer. Mine was 1.036, will be lucky to get 3.5%, which I don't actually mind, but I'd rather they were honest. Still, looking forward to trying it.

Thanks. That seems really low!

 

[saabanana]

It is. I checked and double checked, remixed and checked again.

 

[Davegase]

I put the same on yesterday, using the Dark Rock enhancer. Mine was 1.036, will be lucky to get 3.5%, which I don't actually mind, but I'd rather they were honest. Still, looking forward to trying it.

Did you use their beer kit enhancer or a kilo of brewing sugar?

 

[saabanana]

Their own enhancer.

 

[Davegase]

Their own enhancer.

The gravity looks right for
2.8 kg total in 23l,
I don't know how they would estimate 4.5 ABV.
Anyway they call it a session beer, and 3.5 ABV should be very sessionable

 

[Branny]

The gravity looks right for
2.8 kg total in 23l,
I don't know how they would estimate 4.5 ABV.
Anyway they call it a session beer, and 3.5 ABV should be very sessionable

Thanks. The other 3 DR kits I've done we're either 1.041or 1.042 so I'd assumes this would be similar. So long as it tastes good and has a decent abv I'll be very happy.

 

[alfajerry]

Mine started at 1040, and is currently at 1006 after ten days.