Just bought a festival landlord but reading posts on here it's not very good.

[nige]

Can you mix it with something to bring it up to a stronger best bitter.

 

[Clint]

Brew it with less water.

 

[nige]

20 ltr or 23ltr,im not a hoppy fan, I do like ttlandlord but if it's nothing like I'd be more happy with a fuller traditional bitter, thanks for any help.

 

[nige]

The reviews on this kit are not clear on final outcome or ways to improve.

 

[The Baron]

If it is has not got enough body brew it short to 19litres as Clint says but don't forget it will lift the ABV a little. Also do not forget reviews are subjective and what one likes another doesn't I am sure as it is a premium kit I think it will be ok

 

[nige]

Thanks guys feel a little mor optimistic.

 

[terrym]

Its supposed to be a clone of TT Landlord bitter which is about 4.3%ABV, and, surprise surprise, the kit if brewed as recommended is also claimed to be 4.3%, so why brew it stronger??
Why not just brew it at as recommended and form your own opinion of how it turns out,. then add it to the review section here
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/festival-landlords-best-bitter-review.25738/
Feel the fear but do it anyway.

 

[nige]

The reason was simply having read through all of the posts, no one seamed to like it most say its unlike tt and some regard it as undrinkable so I feel brewing a little short may suit me for a more of a standard bitter and omitting the hops or most as I don't like hoppy beers. It's just I don't make loads so would like to minimise the risk. Thank you though.

 

[Pavros]

I haven't made that one but I've enjoyed all the Festival kits I've made.
I usually make them up to 20 litres.

 

[nige]

Thanks I will make this short, I appreciate the advise thank you. Makes me a little more confident with this kit.

 

[dwhite60]

Been at this long? Plan to be?

You will make good beer and you will make less than good beer, we all have, it's just part of it.

If you are new at this just make it per the kit instructions. Taste is very subjective. You really can't expect someone else's taste to match yours.

All the Best,
D. White

 

[nige]

Yes I know, Ill see what happens when I chuck it in ha.

 

[nige]

Oh no, I have made some years ago but never great stuff so having another go to see if it worth doing. It's helpful being able to communicate with other instead of going off a cheap old book.

 

[dwhite60]

Oh no, I have made some years ago but never great stuff so having another go to see if it worth doing. It's helpful being able to communicate with other instead of going off a cheap old book.

I started in 1990. Had a book "Brewing Quality Beers" by Byron Burch, and that was it. Finally got Pappazian's book, "Complete Joy of Homebrewing".

Made a lot of less than good beer that first year. If I'd had access to the information that's now available at your fingertips it probably would have been a better year.

Keep us updated. I'm interested to hear how your batch turns out! Good luck with it.

SANITIZE !!!

All the Best,
D. White

 

[terrym]

Oh no, I have made some years ago but never great stuff so having another go to see if it worth doing. It's helpful being able to communicate with other instead of going off a cheap old book.

In my view the fundamentals for making reasonable quality beer when you are starting or restarting are
- cleanliness of anything that comes into contact with the wort or beer
- steady fermentation temperatures geared to the normal operating range of the yeast
- keeping the FV lid on and allowing the yeast to do its job (that may mean two weeks or more in the FV)
- allowing sufficient time for the beer to condition appropriate to the style (some beers take longer than others to come good)
- sensibly trying to minimise the fermented beer coming into contact with air at bottling time e.g. by avoiding splashing (but don't get too anal about it)
- try to bottle clear or nearly clear beer by leaving it a little longer at the end of the primary and/or by putting it in a cold place for day or two if available
- if doing kits take the instructions as an absolute minimum when it comes to timings
- if doing kits not to deviate too much from the base ingredients until you know what you are doing, although later on dry hopping or a hop tea and a grain steep using the appropriate ingredients for the style will certainly improve things
- and again if doing kits not to expect premium quality beer from a cheap 1.5kg can of hopped LME and a kilo of sugar, you largely get what you pay for in total outlay
- take note of and learn from any mistakes

 

[nige]

Ha yes theyre the type.,hard work. Thank I will, may move it in slightly warmer place tonight as it was going well in there, dead slow again at moment.

 

[nige]

Why don't they use the grains n mash to make the tins better, Id pay more but buying the grains is cheap it putting it all together that's difficult.
They are what they are I suppose, mabe later I may try making a small amount of appropriate wort too add more authenticity too a kit, I've added a bit extra in my Cooper European larger so I'll see how things pan out. Thanks.

 

[terrym]

Why don't they use the grains n mash to make the tins better, Id pay more but buying the grains is cheap it putting it all together that's difficult.

The next step up from LME based kits bypassing anything with a grain mash is extract brewing which may or may not involve steeping grain, but does involve a hop boil. The quality of the beer produced is certainly as good as the premium LME kits and usually better. At its simplest all you need is malt extract and hops for extract brewing. More here...
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/a-simple-guide-to-extract-brewing.75501
Some suppliers sell made-up extract kits like this
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/extract-beer-kits-c-164.html
https://www.brewuk.co.uk/beerkits/craftybrews/brewextract.html
Although in my view its usually better to make up your own ingredients.

 

[nige]

Thanks makes good reading, the in between AG sounds a good step forward, if a cand drink what I'm making now it mabe sooner rather than later. ha