Two can kit or my extract recipie

[Kyral210]

Ok, here it goes. I really want to brew some lager for the summer, and I want to make it the best possible. Sounds simple. Well, I wanted your advice. I have developed a lager recipe using Beer Smith which sounds really good, but it is a lot of hassle. Would a good two can kit be equally as good if I used a sachet of good yeast?

I was thinking this for the two can:
http://www.thethriftyshopper.co.uk/brewer/brupaks-special-lager-kit.aspx

or this:
http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/beerkits/muntons-gold-continental-pils-3kg.html

What do you think?

Also, here is my recipe, fashioned after Krombacher!:

BeerSmith Recipe Printout - http://www.beersmith.com

Style: German Pilsner (Pils)
TYPE: Extract
Taste: (45.0) A clone of Krombacher Pils 4.8% Alcohol, 9.4 EBC and 25 IBU (5 IBU over original, bitterness needs greatest adjustment in future recipies)

Recipe Specifications
--------------------------
Batch Size: 22.00 L
Boil Size: 18.49 L
Estimated OG: 1.048 SG
Estimated Color: 7.1 EBC
Estimated IBU: 25.1 IBU
Brewhouse Efficiency: - %
Boil Time: 45 Minutes

Ingredients:
------------
Amount....... Item..........................................Type.........% or IBU
2.80 kg........Extra Light Dry Extract (5.9 EBC).....Dry Extract 82.35 %
0.60 kg........Cara-Pils/Dextrine (3.9 EBC)........... Grain 17.65 %
54.35 gm......Saaz [3.10 %] (45 min)................Hops 14.9 IBU
31.25 gm......Saaz [3.10 %] (30 min).................Hops 7.2 IBU
10.50 gm......Northern Brewer [9.26 %] (10 min....Hops 3.1 IBU
1 Pkgs.........German Lager (White Labs #WLP830)


Mash Schedule: None
Total Grain Weight: 4.54 kg
----------------------------
Steep grains (30 minutes @ 70°C), boil for 45 minutes with hop additions

 

[Dunfie]

It kind of depends on what you want out of the hobby. The extract recipe looks great but if it appears to be a lot of hassle then you might not enjoy the process and then the premium kit is probably the way to go.

Most people who do extract brews don't actually hang around there very long. They either give up or are already on the slippery slope to AG and pass through fairly quickly.

Personally I would go for the extract. Understanding about how it all comes together and starting to concoct your own recipes is all part of the fun.

Either way, if you are using a lager yeast you will need to think about fermentation temperature control to ensure you really get something that tastes like a lager.