Juicy Session IPA - Mangrove Jack's review

[the_quick]

Thanks to Give away from Brew 2 Bottle I have this kit - thank you again guys. As promised bellow is a review from brewing day. Tasting in six weeks.

This is a pilot kit according to writing on the package, comes with additional hops for dry hopping and M44 US west coast yeast. Bew2Bottle threw in Malt Extract 1.2kg, sanitiser and carbonating drops.

First started with heating the kit pouch (after removing hops and yeast) and malt extract in warm water to make it easier to remove it from the pouch.

Preparing equipment

Next adding the kit and malt extract to hot water

With cold water

In goes yeast

Gravity measurement - looks like 1.045-46 - which might be bit low, as it should achieve 4.8%.
According to the SG table, Grapefruit IPA SG (no info for this kit there) should be 1.012 - as it might be similar it will achieve 4.46% - time will tell

As always with Mangrove Jacks kits, well packed, good instruction and easy to use.
My tap water is almost 20 degrees atm and instruction says to use 3L of boiling water - I used 2.5L and it came all together to 25 degrees. It was possible influenced by warming pouches before adding to hot water - instruction doesn't direct to do that - I did, as from my experience, it makes it easier.
I let it cool to 23 (instruction says up to 25) and than added yeast.
It will ferment in a storage room at around 20 degrees for next 2 weeks. Planning to add hops after a week, if gravity is 1.020 or below.

Will update this with progress. Thanks for reading, I hope you don't mind lots pictures.

 

[kelper]

I only use half the amount of boiling water - seems enough to rinse the bags/tins and thin the gloop.

 

[Banbeer]

Bottled my Juicy IPA yesterday that I bought as a kit same as yours, took a final gravity test (1.011) and tasted the beer, it was fantastic, so in the carbing chamber it went and into the chilling fridge in two weeks time just before I go on annual leave to Cumbria

 

[the_quick]

Small updated. Been fermenting for 7 days now, gravity is at 1.018 added hops this morning.
I tried it from test jar and it already has a slight carbonation, never had that before in pre-bottling.
It is quite juicy, slight hint of bitterness. Still krauzen on top
Bottling next Saturday.

 

[Eight Ace]

Sounds promising! Picked this kit up on offer as sounded like a nice idea for a kit. Have a stout to put in over the weekend and will then be getting this on!

 

[the_quick]

Sunday will be 2 weeks fermenting. Checked today and gravity is at 1.013-1.014. As Mangrove Jacks doesn't have this beer I kind of guess it is around right FG now. It does taste really nice now, after dry hopping. Sunday is bottling day and than 2 weeks of carbing. Really can't wait to drink it. I think it will be great summer/warm weather drink, bit late to the party

 

[Banbeer]

I can't wait to make this again, probably the best kit I've made

 

[the_quick]

Bottled today and pour myself a bit of "test sample".

44 bottles, mainly 500ml - there are some 330 and 660ml
2 weeks now for carbing

 

[the_quick]

It has been carbonating for 2 weeks. Moving to the shed tomorrow, possibly some into the fridge at 12 degrees.
Couldn't help myself and cracked on bottle. The juiciness has subsided a bit, hops are more clear in taste. In general really nice beer.

 

[Banbeer]

Nice one, I'm brewing another one of these tomorrow.

 

[the_quick]

This is my second MJ kit, first I've done was Oils, both are really good. I really can't fault them.

 

[SteveHatton]

I've had this kit fermenting for the past 9 days. Took a gravity reading yesterday and it was still at 1.025. Started at 1.045.

I don't think I've had anything through the airlock since about 5 days in when it was going crazy. Temp is at 20 and doesn't fluctuate much. I'll be checking it again in a few days but why wouldn't it still be bubbling through if it hasn't finished fermenting??
Great kits, drinking a Pils at the minute, very nice, high hope's for this one too

 

[the_quick]

You might rouse yeast, just grab a long spoon and gently stir them into suspension. Mine fermented right through to around 1.012

 

[Banbeer]

Mmmm.... the M44 yeast with the kit takes a couple of days to start and then a week or so to get down to 1.020 when the hops are added, once the hops are added you will see a resurgence of airlock activity as the hops mix themselves in. Try to be patient and hopefully a few days will bring it down so you can add the hops.

 

[SteveHatton]

Thanks guys, I just popped this lid and gave this one a stir. WOW it smells good already! Real pungent fruit hit. Hopefully it gets going again now. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

[the_quick]

I really hope that will get your beer moving again.

It is really nice, great smell and great taste - I have tried few Juicy IPAs, but this one has as well nice beer taste

 

[Eight Ace]

Finally got mine going yesterday. Smell from the packet was glorious, high hopes for this one!

Not sure there's much going on 24hts in, but well aware how laggy the MJ yeast is so not concerned. Shall leave it at 20°c for the next two weeks and see how it pans out.

 

[SteveHatton]

I actually bottled mine last night. It smells great once hopped. Literally drinkable after fermentation so should be great in a months time.
Brewed mine slightly short to try to push it over 5% but started at 1045 and finished at 1008/9 so think it's actually come out as it should, not stronger. Wish there was a kit of this type that pushes out at the 6% mark!

 

[Eight Ace]

8 days in, and it's looking very promising. Doesn't taste bad at all! Down to 1.016 already so will probably throw the hops in on Wednesday to bottle at the weekend.

Tempted to bring in a load more hops, but will leave it this time round

 

[Eight Ace]

Two weeks in and 42 bottles filled, that'll do! I'd cold crashed for 24 hours and seemed to come out clear as far as I can see, but the smell was glorious. Juicy indeed. Tasted good too, but a few weeks conditioning should help.

Very promising