Kit Brewing �

[chuff76]

I have several kit brews under my belt now, the very first one I tried was the Youngs American IPA and it turned out great.

I’ve just done this very same kit again as I enjoyed it so much, my second attempt has only been in the bottle for a fortnight but I cracked one open last night to sample it and I seem to have got a noticeably different outcome.

Comparing the two, the latest seems to have more sediment but has already seems much clearer than the other ever got.

It lacks fizz I actually put an extra 20% priming sugar this time, so perhaps it just needs another week.

Taste-wise there is a much bigger bitter taste, probably truer to what I would expect from this style of beer.

And the hop aroma’s this time are significantly more powerful.

Differences in the brewing process I think this time it fermented at a lower temperature, more like 18-20 rather than 20-24. (I’ve moved my gear, and the weather has of course cooled down)

I went dry hop crazy this time Brew 1 had 4 days, this time I gave it a week and added an extra chinook hop tea bag. I also squeezed the muslin hop bag halfway, which I think accounts for the extra debris/sediment.

The stronger bitter taste, I assume this is either how it’s supposed to be and first time round the higher temperatures created some esters, or, perhaps my excessive dryhop affected it ?

These are just observations from a fledgling homebrewer who’s discovering that even with a kit, there are many factors in play that can alter the finished product.

I’ve got a 30l boiler and wort chiller in my amazon shopping basket and will be moving to extract brewing soon, but I feel these are valuable lessons I’m learning even using the most basic dumbed down method

 

[stevej]

Skip the extract and go grain, you will be surprised how easy it is with far better results:thumb: plenty advise on here if you fancy it

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

Skip the extract and go grain, you will be surprised how easy it is with far better results:thumb: plenty advise on here if you fancy it

Agree with Steve, even if you only do partial mash it will be an improvement. I did a couple of extract brews, better than kits, but nowhere near as good as using grain as well.

Although, if you're getting a 30ltr boiler it makes sense to go full AG and a lot cheaper too!

 

[Hops_and_Dreams]

I'd be wary of buying from Amazon. I got some homebrew kit for Xmas last year and also some Amazon vouchers, which I used to buy the extra bits I needed. As I got more into it and knew where to look, I realised how much of a rip off their prices were!

 

[chuff76]

Almost everyone advises skipping extract and going AG.. I guess I'm just a bit terrified of taking the plunge and still feel like a beginner.

I've heard of BIAB and partial mash but not sure what these mean.

The boiler on amazon is a Burco 30l, it's got some excellent reviews and is as cheap as I've seen it anywhere (£75) - Was planning to buy this and a wort chiller(immersion) to bring me up to 'extract ready'

If I go the next step to AG, what additional kit will I need? I'm running out of space for all this stuff!

Would anyone advise making a DIY wort chiller? is the effort worth the savings?

 

[Covrich]

Almost everyone advises skipping extract and going AG.. I guess I'm just a bit terrified of taking the plunge and still feel like a beginner.

I've heard of BIAB and partial mash but not sure what these mean.

The boiler on amazon is a Burco 30l, it's got some excellent reviews and is as cheap as I've seen it anywhere (�£75) - Was planning to buy this and a wort chiller(immersion) to bring me up to 'extract ready'

If I go the next step to AG, what additional kit will I need? I'm running out of space for all this stuff!

Would anyone advise making a DIY wort chiller? is the effort worth the savings?

Well you will need a large grain bag but the boiler and a chiller should pretty much get you going.

You could I suppose do one extract brew, that would let you get used to the boiling and cooling stage without having to worry about the mash if you're feeling a bit unconfident yet.. I did that I did 1 extract (I didn't anticipate going AG at the time) then I did a partial and ten straight into AG.

 

[clibit]

Almost everyone advises skipping extract and going AG.. I guess I'm just a bit terrified of taking the plunge and still feel like a beginner.

I've heard of BIAB and partial mash but not sure what these mean.

The boiler on amazon is a Burco 30l, it's got some excellent reviews and is as cheap as I've seen it anywhere (��£75) - Was planning to buy this and a wort chiller(immersion) to bring me up to 'extract ready'

If I go the next step to AG, what additional kit will I need? I'm running out of space for all this stuff!

Would anyone advise making a DIY wort chiller? is the effort worth the savings?

I wrote a how to guide called "Different ways to make beer" which briefly explains each method:

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=51908

BIAB is a form of all grain brewing that requires only a boiling pot and a bag to hold the grains. In the "How to Guide" forum have a look at the simple guide to AG and the partial boil extract method. And the partial boil step by step guide.

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=26

I make small batches of AG beer, usually BIAB these days, because itg makes great beer and avoids the need for lots of equipment. And allows me to make a greater variety of beers, and it's quicker than making a full size batch. About 3 hours per brew.

 

[chuff76]

Thanks guys - Covrich, you're right - Not confident at all, I've only been brewing for 6 months and thats just with kits.
AG seems like some kind of arcane sorcery to me and as many guides as I read, none of them make me think 'this sounds simple enough' to go for it.
So extract seemed like an incremental upgrade, learn a bit more of the method..
But I can't think of anyone who advocates using this method - Whenever mentioned the answer is always to skip it and go AG.

Clibit - That's a bloody brilliant guide and makes it sound pretty straightforward. I got the idea that BIAB might be the best way for me to go, but I've read a few articles today suggesting a MASSIVE volume of water involved - 70 litre pots.. this is just not feasible for me, space is a premium at home.

My cooker is just not up to the job of boiling large volumes of water, so I was looking at the Burco 30l boiler - It seems reasonably priced and I thought would be large enough but now I'm not so sure.

I've got all the gear(and more) for kit brewing, the addition of a wort chiller and the burco boiler were what I thought would take me to the next level (and is probably about all I can fit).

With a 30l boiler, would it be possible to do BIAB method and make up 23 litres of beer ? Having invested all those hours I'd expect a decent yield

 

[clibit]

Thanks guys - Covrich, you're right - Not confident at all, I've only been brewing for 6 months and thats just with kits.
AG seems like some kind of arcane sorcery to me and as many guides as I read, none of them make me think 'this sounds simple enough' to go for it.
So extract seemed like an incremental upgrade, learn a bit more of the method..
But I can't think of anyone who advocates using this method - Whenever mentioned the answer is always to skip it and go AG.

Clibit - That's a bloody brilliant guide and makes it sound pretty straightforward. I got the idea that BIAB might be the best way for me to go, but I've read a few articles today suggesting a MASSIVE volume of water involved - 70 litre pots.. this is just not feasible for me, space is a premium at home.

My cooker is just not up to the job of boiling large volumes of water, so I was looking at the Burco 30l boiler - It seems reasonably priced and I thought would be large enough but now I'm not so sure.

I've got all the gear(and more) for kit brewing, the addition of a wort chiller and the burco boiler were what I thought would take me to the next level (and is probably about all I can fit).

With a 30l boiler, would it be possible to do BIAB method and make up 23 litres of beer ? Having invested all those hours I'd expect a decent yield

Yes it's possible. You may have to add some water after the mash. I can make a 10-12 litre batch in three hours. A 23 litre batch takes around 6 hours. So I can do two half batches in the same time. Easier to fit in, doable in an evening, and more beer variety. Plus no need to buy all the equipment.

 

[MyQul]

Thanks guys - Covrich, you're right - Not confident at all, I've only been brewing for 6 months and thats just with kits.
AG seems like some kind of arcane sorcery to me and as many guides as I read, none of them make me think 'this sounds simple enough' to go for it.
So extract seemed like an incremental upgrade, learn a bit more of the method..
But I can't think of anyone who advocates using this method - Whenever mentioned the answer is always to skip it and go AG.

Clibit - That's a bloody brilliant guide and makes it sound pretty straightforward. I got the idea that BIAB might be the best way for me to go, but I've read a few articles today suggesting a MASSIVE volume of water involved - 70 litre pots.. this is just not feasible for me, space is a premium at home.

My cooker is just not up to the job of boiling large volumes of water, so I was looking at the Burco 30l boiler - It seems reasonably priced and I thought would be large enough but now I'm not so sure.

I've got all the gear(and more) for kit brewing, the addition of a wort chiller and the burco boiler were what I thought would take me to the next level (and is probably about all I can fit).

With a 30l boiler, would it be possible to do BIAB method and make up 23 litres of beer ? Having invested all those hours I'd expect a decent yield

I make a concentrated wort in my 20L pot on my cooker then dilute it in the FV

 

[dad_of_jon]

Thanks guys - Covrich, you're right - Not confident at all, I've only been brewing for 6 months and thats just with kits.
AG seems like some kind of arcane sorcery to me and as many guides as I read, none of them make me think 'this sounds simple enough' to go for it.
So extract seemed like an incremental upgrade, learn a bit more of the method..
But I can't think of anyone who advocates using this method - Whenever mentioned the answer is always to skip it and go AG.

Clibit - That's a bloody brilliant guide and makes it sound pretty straightforward. I got the idea that BIAB might be the best way for me to go, but I've read a few articles today suggesting a MASSIVE volume of water involved - 70 litre pots.. this is just not feasible for me, space is a premium at home.

My cooker is just not up to the job of boiling large volumes of water, so I was looking at the Burco 30l boiler - It seems reasonably priced and I thought would be large enough but now I'm not so sure.

I've got all the gear(and more) for kit brewing, the addition of a wort chiller and the burco boiler were what I thought would take me to the next level (and is probably about all I can fit).

With a 30l boiler, would it be possible to do BIAB method and make up 23 litres of beer ? Having invested all those hours I'd expect a decent yield

I'm happy with extract plus hop & steeping grain additions.

One of my favourite brews is a wheat extract brew with raspberry syrup added.

I've knocked off a clone of brewdog's riptide by accident and that wasn't AG

So extract all the way for me until I get more space & time - which isn't anytime soon.

 

[chuff76]

I'm happy with extract plus hop & steeping grain additions.

One of my favourite brews is a wheat extract brew with raspberry syrup added.

I've knocked off a clone of brewdog's riptide by accident and that wasn't AG

So extract all the way for me until I get more space & time - which isn't anytime soon.

Hello, thats sounds a bit more me and I really do like the look of the beers you're producing. I just read a pretty good article on it, sounds reasonable.

I need to decide if the Burco boiler is the best bet, or something else

 

[dad_of_jon]

Hello, thats sounds a bit more me and I really do like the look of the beers you're producing. I just read a pretty good article on it, sounds reasonable.

I need to decide if the Burco boiler is the best bet, or something else

I use a big wilko stock pot and boil around 6 litres of wort (approx) then dilute with chilled bottled water or do a larger boil with an overnight chill. If you do high gravity boils of concentrated wort it does rule out doing very light coloured beers as the concentrated wort does darken more than if you do a full length boil.

 

[clibit]

I use a big wilko stock pot and boil around 6 litres of wort (approx) then dilute with chilled bottled water or do a larger boil with an overnight chill. If you do high gravity boils of concentrated wort it does rule out doing very light coloured beers as the concentrated wort does darken more than if you do a full length boil.

You don't need to boil the extract when making an extract brew. Just the hops - but adding a little extract to the boil is a good idea, I think. Leave the majority out.

 

[Covrich]

I use a big wilko stock pot and boil around 6 litres of wort (approx) then dilute with chilled bottled water or do a larger boil with an overnight chill. If you do high gravity boils of concentrated wort it does rule out doing very light coloured beers as the concentrated wort does darken more than if you do a full length boil.

Do you use all the extract in yours and do you find you have any effects on hop utilisations??

 

[dad_of_jon]

Do you use all the extract in yours and do you find you have any effects on hop utilisations??

yes, I do and yes I suspect so. But most of my hops go in after the boil and after the wort has been diluted. If I was using lme from a can i'd not boil, but the lme I buy often looks to have been split up from a larger bag and re-packaged, so in that case I boil it all for 15 mins to minimise risk of infection.

but clibit has a point - my last order of 3kg came in 6x500g muntons foil sealed packs (i didn't get charged extra :-)) so i'll not have to boil that.