Virgin Brew

[lukehgriffiths]

I was planning an extract hops and yeast first brew possibly with some steeped speciality grains. People recommended trying a kit; didn't realise there was such a difference until I read the post on kit brewing and I can see why out is a good start teaches you sanitising etc before the milage of extract or AG. Was thinking milestone black pearl... No records in review pages; any opinions. :wha:

 

[TRXnMe]

I've never brewed a milestone's kit, so take this with that caveat.

I was tempted early this 'summer', having read a few comments on the interweb it looked as though I'd like the brews, happily I came across the stuff in bottles ready to drink, and thought "oo, great, taste test, give it a go, then buy the kit for the bottle most enjoyed", bought four bottles of different ales and sadly none of them floated my boat. I'm not sure even now what I didn't like about them.

As far as 2 can kits go, I have brewed and thoroughly enjoyed woodeforde's wherry, ruddy excellent pint that :)

Second caveat, I usually brew one can kits (with brew enhancer or DME) and actually enjoy the tast (but not the mouth feel) of a Cooper's English ale brewed with white sugar as the extra fermentible!!

 

[lukehgriffiths]

Thanks for the advice.

Hmmm single can kits sound like brewing with LME recipes.
Might do a 2 can premium kit first, then a one can or extract job depending on how these go I'll decide on my third.
Three good brews seems to be the point where others consider AG and I hope I'll be ready by then.
Itching to get going... Still need some more equipment first.

 

[calumscott]

+1 for two can kits.

Also the better one can stuff (Better Brew, Brewferm, Coopers and probably the Ritchies Simply range but I haven't tried these yet) brewed with malt instead of sugar.

Great way to get started and get a stock of beer before you take the big plunge.

I'm 18 kits a TC and a Ginger Beer in and I think I'm ready to go AG but I'm damn sure I'm not going to stop brewing more kits until I get the brewery built!! :thumb:

 

[TRXnMe]

Thanks for the advice.

Hmmm single can kits sound like brewing with LME recipes.
Might do a 2 can premium kit first, then a one can or extract job depending on how these go I'll decide on my third.
Three good brews seems to be the point where others consider AG and I hope I'll be ready by then.
Itching to get going... Still need some more equipment first.

Both 1 can and 2 can kits are liquid malt extract, however the malt and hps have been condensed less in the 2 can kits, theory is that this is why they taste better :)

You can get a good beer from a 1 can kit, but you'll have spent as much on it as you will a decent 2 can kit.

So far I've brewed 9 kits, 8 various wines and tubo ciders and one fiery ginger beer and am still not heading for the dark sided (all grain), more for lack of space and money than any other reason, but with the kits tasting so good and being quick and easy my only motivation for AG is the greater control, I'd like to brew my own signature ale, find the perfect combination of malts, hops and yeast to give me my perfect brew, but for now the kits do a decent job :)