Kentish ale similar to Suffolk ale?

[gmc]

Hi all,

This may be a rather stupid question but up until now I have just been enjoying drinking beer and not really paying attention to the different brewing styles and so on. Now that I have started brewing I need to figure out what all the different beer types actually are and how to go about achieving them.

I am still brewing from kits at the minute and I wanted a kit that I could brew a beer similar to the Shepherd Neame Kentish strong ale or Bishops Finger. Those are 6.5% and 5.5%. Would I be right in thinking that the Festival Old Suffolk strong ale would be a similar style. I don't know if there are any major differences between Kentish and Suffolkish. Here's the link;

https://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Festival-Old-Suffolk-Strong-Ale-Kit.html
Any expertise would be greatly appreciated!

 

[An Ankoù]

This is a good example of how different breweries produce characteristic beers using pretty much the same ingredients. Using a different hop will usually result in a different tasting beer; I believe Suffolk Strong uses Bodicea while Kentish Strong. I imagine, uses EKGs. Again, the house yeast will take on a particular character and in many of these old breweries, the same yeast has been harvested and reused for decades. Even using a different pale malt- say Pipkin instead of Maris Otter will make a difference.

 

[trueblue]

This is a good example of how different breweries produce characteristic beers using pretty much the same ingredients. Using a different hop will usually result in a different tasting beer; I believe Suffolk Strong uses Bodicea while Kentish Strong. I imagine, uses EKGs. Again, the house yeast will take on a particular character and in many of these old breweries, the same yeast has been harvested and reused for decades. Even using a different pale malt- say Pipkin instead of Maris Otter will make a difference.

I would add to that the water will be different in those two areas. Both beers are unique in their own way. The beauty and complexity of brewing.

 

[Banbeer]

Hi Chippy, would moving this to the kit brewing discussion area be more beneficial to GMC's question?

 

[gmc]

I didn't realise there was a kit brewing section. I still appreciate the information you all have provided. It's important for me to learn about the beers I know and like in order to try to get the results from my brewing that I am aiming for

 

[Banbeer]

Hi @gmc, some folks on here only look in the sections they're interested in so your question would possibly get more exposure in the kit brewing discussion area and might help you out? If you click on Forum (top left) and it's 5 places down from where you posted, hope that helps

 

[GhostShip]

The Beerworks kits are well worth a look. Very good kits and they include a Kentish ale;

https://bit.ly/2VSH0Yv

 

[gmc]

I haven't come across this brand of kits before, but there are loads on on there to choose from. I will have a look for my next purchase. I wanted to make a stronger ale than 4%, but maybe it is time to start deviating from the instructions a little