MJ Helles Lager kit

[micklupulo]

I wonder if anyone could advise on the MJ Helles Lager kit please. I have just put one on and have read one or two reviews suggesting it is over hoppy using the full 20g of the two varieties of hops supplied. Conversely I have come across two reviews saying it is fine without any hop addition. I like a hoppy tang but get the impression that with this one it takes about three months for it to smooth out. I realise taste is subjective but my instinct is to put half of each 10g pack in when the time comes but any views would be welcome.

 

[Rixs]

I put the hops in right at the begining, the smell from the fv was fantastic, the beer just finished (4 days in the keg) tastes very good but cloudy, it is IMO one of the best HB I have tasted for a while.

 

[Neil1987]

I put the hops in right at the begining, the smell from the fv was fantastic, the beer just finished (4 days in the keg) tastes very good but cloudy, it is IMO one of the best HB I have tasted for a while.

Did you use the mangrove jacks lme with it

 

[Rixs]

No just straight dextrose/ brewing sugar, I have some LME to try in the next batch to see if it makes any difference. But tbh, I have 3 or 4 others in between some part brewed so might not get to it for a few weeks

 

[Neil1987]

No just straight dextrose/ brewing sugar, I have some LME to try in the next batch to see if it makes any difference. But tbh, I have 3 or 4 others in between some part brewed so might not get to it for a few weeks

I'm looking for my next one its between this and coopers European or one of the festival lagers cant decide

 

[Rixs]

I tend to mix it up a bit, i did a 7 day 5 gallon wine Pinot Grigio just to get me going again, I had a break of a couple of years due to travelling. ,then a St. Peter’s stout which is in a keg 1/2 of it has been drunk, the helles lager in a keg waiting to condition/ clear, currently doing a cider , another couple of days before that will go in the keg. After that I might start a country wine, I have loads of rhubarb so 5 gallons of that please ! After that who knows. Maybe the evil dog? Or whatever I can get from my local brewing shop.

 

[Tweedie]

Interested in people’s views in this brew as it’s my first venture into Lagers as all my other brews over the last two years have been ales. I have done well with MJ kits so gone for their Helles kit to start my Lager journey.

I have pitched it quite warm at 23degC and it gone like a rocket and already there’s plenty of bubbling and froth in the FV. It’s settled down today and the temperature has dropped to 20degC I’m guessing this wasn’t an ideal start for a lager, but didn’t know if there was any further views on the length of time it’s hopped as keen to get this bottled when it’s settled in the next 4/5 days ?

 

[micklupulo]

Interested in people’s views in this brew as it’s my first venture into Lagers as all my other brews over the last two years have been ales. I have done well with MJ kits so gone for their Helles kit to start my Lager journey.

I have pitched it quite warm at 23degC and it gone like a rocket and already there’s plenty of bubbling and froth in the FV. It’s settled down today and the temperature has dropped to 20degC I’m guessing this wasn’t an ideal start for a lager, but didn’t know if there was any further views on the length of time it’s hopped as keen to get this bottled when it’s settled in the next 4/5 days ?

I did not see this until now but I hopped on 9th March which was 17 days into fermentation at 1006 gravity and bottled on 14th March when it had stabilised at 1005. I used 6gms of each of the two hop varieties supplied and the end result was pleasant and well carbed with good head retention. The hops are a bit sherbety for my liking so I do not regret using only 60%. Good after four weeks in the bottle and no discernible loss of aroma even now though only four bottles left!