Tom Caxton Lager Kit - 40 or 36 pints

[Rob Morgan]

I will be brewing this soon (only my second ever brew), and on the tin its says 40 or 36 pints.
I'm assuming that its because of different flavors/strength? please confirm

My current brew, 40 pints of youngsubrew lager, which will be getting consumed tomorrow night, tasted a bit watery a couple of days ago, when i had a sneaky taste, to ensure it wasn't vile for my party tomorrow. i may have put too much heat into the VF during the early stages (not sure if that would do it?) or maybe it should have been mixed with a little less water???

hence the question on tom caxton. should i do 36 pints or 40??

 

[RobWalker]

36 will taste better, if you make it with 1kg enhancer instead of 1kg sugar :)

 

[PD]

36 pints would be best. more body and mouthfeel to it 40 pints is stretching it.
I mostly reduced the brew size down a couple of litres from what the manufacturers say.

 

[Rob Morgan]

will do, thanks
anything else i need to know about the tom caxton kit? is it the same sort of brewing time?
will 36 pints be a higher ABV too?

 

[RobWalker]

Usually about half a % when brewing short. You get the same amount of booze total but in a lower volume. Should be the same as any other kit you've made :)

 

[paulez22se]

Just bought a few of these kits as Morrisons are selling them off for a fiver each. I have made these before and they always come out watery.

If I was to brew the kit to 24 pints would I still need 1Kg of sugar (or enhancer) or should I reduce the sugar accordingly (maybe 0.5 Kg)?

Thanks

 

[Rob Morgan]

i've only just seen this post, i don't seem to get emails when people reply to my posts???
i didnt know Morrisons were doing kits! I've just heard Tesco do them too!!!

as for the watery bit...
my tom caxton has come out quite strong (nice) in flavour.
the watery taste could be down to the initial fermentation process not being long enough, or too much or too little heat being added; so that the yeast hasn't had enough time to work, or you killed it. as you can see, i am still a "waterboy", so i am waiting to get shot down and corrected.

i would brew it again at 36 pints, any less, and it may be a bit too much flavour for my taste buds!