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 :)

 

[Bitter_Dave]

Well done on persevering, it can take a few goes to iron out problems and arrive at process that works for you.

You'll probably find that head retention improves as the bottle ages.

There are far superior kits to the Geordie ones. This sounds nice: https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/muntons-connaisseurs-winter-ale-40-pint-beer-kit/

 

[klaus]

Haven't done the winter warmer for years (used to get it from the local Wilko shop, now gone).
Always came out ok - nothing special but perfectly drinkable. I always use the local tap water (hard water area).

 

[Rodcx500z]

You could use DME dried malt extract instead of enhancer,

 

[Slid]

Well done on persevering, it can take a few goes to iron out problems and arrive at process that works for you.

You'll probably find that head retention improves as the bottle ages.

There are far superior kits to the Geordie ones. This sounds nice: https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/muntons-connaisseurs-winter-ale-40-pint-beer-kit/

I would get two of these and brew to 25L, with an addition of 500g to 1kg sugar. On the other hand, I do have rather a simplistic an approach to beer and moved on to a grain based approach many (merry) years ago.

 

[Bitter_Dave]

I would get two of these and brew to 25L, with an addition of 500g to 1kg sugar. On the other hand, I do have rather a simplistic an approach to beer and moved on to a grain based approach many (merry) years ago.

People find different ways to brew that work for them. Personally I would not do this as you would be making it almost twice as bitter. I would add 1kg of medium dried malt extract. White sugar adds more alcohol and no additional flavour and so I would not do this either. If I added a bit of sugar I would add a small amount of dark brown sugar as this will add flavour (definitely no more than 500gms). And a decent yeast like Safale 04 would be good if using a fair bit of DME.