Mangrove Jacks Helles

[surferosa]

has anyone made this brew? I’ve got it in my FV at the moment, but am considering NOT adding the extra dry hops, as the few reviews I can find suggest it’s a bit too “hoppy”, I wondered if not adding the dry hops (Hallertau) might help? Cheers!

 

[LeeH]

I would chuck them in for 3 days and think about adjusting it the next time.

 

[Wayno15]

How did this turn out? This is next for my fv in a few weeks

 

[surferosa]

Just put one in the fridge, will let you know tomorrow! Tasted one a couple of weeks ago and it had improved a lot.

 

[Wayno15]

Excellent, thanks. Me and the Mrs had some lovely pints of helles in Berlin recently so I bought a kit to see what it's like. Let me know whether you added the hops and what your recommendation is

 

[surferosa]

Just had a taste, either not ready (it’s been in my cellar for about 3 months) or just doesn’t taste very nice!... found it a bit tangy. I put the hops in for 3 or 4 days I think, in a hop sock. I made it with regular tap water, which was the last brew I’ve made like that. Have used either bottled or tap water with Campden tabs since, but I don’t know if that would have helped. I’ll try another one in a month or so... hoping it gets better!! I had a Paulaner Munich Helles yesterday, which was delish though!! 3 for £5 at M&S.

 

[Wayno15]

I just put mine in the fv. Gotta say those pouches are more of a pain than regular cans.

OG 1.040, so probably gonna end up a driving lager

 

[surferosa]

Same. Mine finished at 1011. Good luck!

 

[micklupulo]

Just had a taste, either not ready (it’s been in my cellar for about 3 months) or just doesn’t taste very nice!... found it a bit tangy. I put the hops in for 3 or 4 days I think, in a hop sock. I made it with regular tap water, which was the last brew I’ve made like that. Have used either bottled or tap water with Campden tabs since, but I don’t know if that would have helped. I’ll try another one in a month or so... hoping it gets better!! I had a Paulaner Munich Helles yesterday, which was delish though!! 3 for £5 at M&S.

Hello Surferosa I wonder if you would mind letting me know if your MJ Helles lager has improved? I have one in the FV at present and have never done it before. I was thinking of using only half of each of the two hop varieties when the time comes as it seems some find it too hoppy with the full amount used.

 

[Wayno15]

Hi Mick,

My batch finished fermenting a few weeks ago, I love it, very hoppy, I would say equivalent to Guiness hop house 13. I have already decided to make another batch in the summer. Just to warn you I chilled mine in a beer fridge after carbing and got quite a bit of chill haze that is slowly disappearing. All in all I am a big fan of this brew, I made it as per this instructions, I think I fermented down at about 16.5 degrees c without any porblems.

 

[micklupulo]

Hi Mick,

My batch finished fermenting a few weeks ago, I love it, very hoppy, I would say equivalent to Guiness hop house 13. I have already decided to make another batch in the summer. Just to warn you I chilled mine in a beer fridge after carbing and got quite a bit of chill haze that is slowly disappearing. All in all I am a big fan of this brew, I made it as per this instructions, I think I fermented down at about 16.5 degrees c without any porblems.

Hi Wayno thanks for that and most useful. I note the yeast ferments at ale temp and mine is being kept as close to 20°c as I can manage and will be in for two weeks at least as I am away. The target f.g. is apparently 1014 so would be interested to learn what you got yours down to?

 

[Wayno15]

I can't actually remember, but would have been around the 1.010 mark. It's californian lager yeast so is OK to ferment at 20 degrees, I set mine off around 19 but turned the temp down bit by bit and it kept on fermenting fine, I didn't want to go any lower and risk stalling it. I found it a tiny bit cloudier than the kits I'd done previously, but this cleared up in the bottles during carbonation (then came back as chill haze when I chilled them further). Don't forget to let the fg get down to around 1.018 before adding the dry hops. I just dumped the whole bag in.

 

[Wayno15]

Here's a pic from a clear bottle

 

[micklupulo]

I can't actually remember, but would have been around the 1.010 mark. It's californian lager yeast so is OK to ferment at 20 degrees, I set mine off around 19 but turned the temp down bit by bit and it kept on fermenting fine, I didn't want to go any lower and risk stalling it. I found it a tiny bit cloudier than the kits I'd done previously, but this cleared up in the bottles during carbonation (then came back as chill haze when I chilled them further). Don't forget to let the fg get down to around 1.018 before adding the dry hops. I just dumped the whole bag in.

Thanks again and most useful. I recently put a tap on my FV and was intending to fill bottles from that with my bottling stick but if it is a bottom fermenting yeast I wonder whether more trub than usual will be at the bottom and laborious siphoning would be preferable?

 

[Wayno15]

It all depends how low your tap is, my trub wasn't excessively deep {picture attached) . I suppose you'll just have to make a judgement call at the time.

 

[micklupulo]

Many thanks and my tap is at about the same height as yours so am hopeful!

 

[Wayno15]

Worst case you might lose a pint or so, but you should be alright.

 

[surferosa]

Mine’s not great, brewed as per the instructions, finished at 1011, added the hops for a couple of days at the end, perhaps it would have tasted better/a bit more hoppy if I’d added sooner? Maybe more like hop house too? Mine didn’t!... it’s ok though. Made about 4 months ago I think.

 

[Wayno15]

I think I left mine in for 6 days, maybe I got lucky or you got unlucky. I'm picking up another pouch at the weekend so it's in the queue for the fv