Geordie Winter Warmer

[BlackCountryAJ]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and excited to join the community!

I've recently completed my first homebrew using Tesco Ashbeck spring water and the Geordie Winter Warmer kit. I had some issues with TCP smells /tastes when using my tap water, even with Campden tablets/pure brew, so I switched to spring water, which I think has solved the problem. My starting gravity was 1.050, and after fermenting, it seems to have settled at 1.012 for the final gravity. I used the Dark Rock Dark Ale Enhancer for this batch.

I'm planning to bottle it tomorrow after checking the gravity one last time. Has anyone here brewed with this kit before?

I recently tried a Hobgoblin Bah Humbug on cask and really enjoyed its mulled aromas—it was perfect for the season. My homebrew so far smells more like Winter Goose by Hook Norton Brewery, which is lovely, but it’s missing those mulled spice notes I was hoping for.

Looking forward to hearing from you all and learning more as I go!

Cheers

 

[Rwilts]

One of the best things about brewing is the searching out of the kit or ingredients that give you what your looking for...

 

[BlackCountryAJ]

One of the best things about brewing is the searching out of the kit or ingredients that give you what your looking for...

Yeah, I want to experiment more next time. My last 3 attempts ,I've only had beers that smell like TCP, so I’ve been hesitant to tinker because I don’t feel confident enough yet. I’m just hoping it turns out okay once it’s bottled!

 

[The Baron]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
I have brewed this kit but many many years ago and I going from memory can not remember any strong mulled wine/spices in this kit it was more of a old style English Ale again from memory.
I would do a hot spiced addition by adding lets say oranges and spices to a pan with a little water boil taste and let cool before adding to the beer.
Obviously you need to make it stronger as it will dilute when added and remember too little is better than too much as you can always add more but can not remove too much.
Good Luck

 

[BlackCountryAJ]

So after bottling it , It's ok and my first beer that doesnt have that TCP smells and taste! Tesco ashbeck helped with that. The head retention isnt great to be honest, has a malty,liquorice and raisan taste to it. I probably wouldn't do this kit again but glad I did :)