Help - Beer choice

[chrismyerz]

Hi all,

I've done a few kits, Ginger beers and TCs and now thinking of trying BIAB, however I'm not sure what to actually brew...

I've really only drunk commercial lagers and the odd pint of Tetleys smooth etc. and don't know where to start with proper beer!

I tried a bottle of Golden Ale from Morrisons at the weekend but found it really, really bitter and ended up throwing it down the sink :sick: , maybe I chose a rubbish one (it was on offer, own brand titanic brewery or something).

So what's a good starter style I can buy from the supermarket to try before I start brewing something I cant bring myself to drink??

Many thanks in advance

Chris

 

[dennisking]

Fullers London pride or Adnams bitter or broadside are good choices I would say.

 

[chrismyerz]

Fullers London pride or Adnams bitter or broadside are good choices I would say.

Thanks, are they less on the bitter tasting side? Typical I nearly picked up an Adnams!

What style would these be classed as?

Chris
:

 

[dennisking]

They are bitter-pale ale styles but not overly bitter, all well balanced beers.

 

[rpt]

Go to the supermarket (or off licence) and buy a selection of bottled beers. Serve them at the right temperature (usually around 12C) and in a pint glass. See which ones you like. Buy Graham Wheeler's Brew Your Own British Real Ale book where you will find a lot of clone recipes.

Or you could try brewing some real lager (not Carling, Fosters etc). You do need temperature control though - it's not too hard to put together a brew fridge.

 

[chrismyerz]

Thanks for all the replys.

Think I'll try some of the beers mentioned above and find a style that I like, are IPAs lower on the bitterness scale or should I be looking for more of a Pale Ale?

Also with regard to the BrewFridge, would it be possible to use an old freezer to do the same job as I have one in the shed waiting for use??

ATB
Chris

 

[NickW]

The freezer would work just fine :thumb:

Also, I can highly recommend Badgers Golden Glory. Oh the smell!! Peachy

 

[Dr Mike]

IPA is now used to cover quite a wide range of different ales.

At on end if the scale you'd probably find Greene King IPA quite inoffensive. At the other end of the scale, something like Brewdog Punk IPA might be a little challenging based on your OP.

 

[RobWalker]

cheap ales are cheap ales, they will taste pretty crappy and insepid imo...they're not just bitter, but sorta flavourless.

Try bank's mild, it's not so much a great brew but a solid one and pretty malty.

 

[pittsy]

Don't forget to try the belgian and german beers , many different types of good ales even lagers

 

[midnight rider]

Hi all,

I've done a few kits, Ginger beers and TCs and now thinking of trying BIAB, however I'm not sure what to actually brew...

I've really only drunk commercial lagers and the odd pint of Tetleys smooth etc. and don't know where to start with proper beer!

I tried a bottle of Golden Ale from Morrisons at the weekend but found it really, really bitter and ended up throwing it down the sink :sick: , maybe I chose a rubbish one (it was on offer, own brand titanic brewery or something).

So what's a good starter style I can buy from the supermarket to try before I start brewing something I cant bring myself to drink??

Many thanks in advance

Chris

I've tried the Morrison's Golden Ale and thought it half decent. Since you found it too bitter either you got a rouge bottle or maybe bitter is not really to your palate.
Maybe try a Mexican cerveza. You can get a kit for about £15 and it has a sweet, crisp taste, akin to Sol.

 

[chrig]

You have our blessing to drink your way through your local supermarket shelves :lol:.

A couple of bottled stouts, milds, pale ales should get you started.... And keep hold of those brown bottles .

 

[NickW]

Don't forget to try the belgian and german beers , many different types of good ales even lagers

+1. My first AG brew was a hefeweizen recipe from pittsys. It was great and can be drunk just days after bottling :thumb:

 

[RobWalker]

I didn't think you liked wheat beer pittsy :lol:

 

[pittsy]

I didn't think you liked wheat beer pittsy :lol:

I don't mind 1 now and again :whistle:

 

[Antony]

Go through the supermarket shelves, maybe start with the Lower ABV beers, and they will be less of a change. And try and get some Mansfield Bitter down you!

 

[kentmark]

I'm always partial to Shepherd Neame ales. I'd avoid spitfire, bishops finger, 1698 if you dont like stronger flavours. Maybe go for a masterbrew?

 

[chrismyerz]

Thanks for all the replies & suggestions!

I've got a Badgers Golden Glory chilling gently in the fridge & just warming up with a few pints of a Wilko's mexican cerveza.

I'll report back my findings!

Chris

 

[chrismyerz]

Badgers Golden Glory gets a thumbs up from me!! :thumb:

Very nice, just the right bitterness for my taste with a fruity twist :

Whats next? :hmm:

 

[chrismyerz]

Tonight we've got:-

Well's Waggle Dance - Not as sweet as expected, but certainly not overly bitter either :drink:
Marston's Pale Ale
Badger Blandford Flyer

The to do list consists of:-

Fullers London pride
Adnams bitter or broadside
Greene King IPA
Bank's mild

All this research is going to my head :drunk:

Chris