Wanting to improve upon the kit beer....

[kaferboy]

there's some great info on here, and I've already found some good information regarding this on here, but I have a more specific query...

I have been given a Youngs definitive bitter kit, which calls for 1kg of sugar and enough water to make up to 40 pints. In the quest for a nicer tasting brew, I was wondering if I could reduce the sugar to around 500g (or maybe less?), and reducing the quantity of water I add to the kit correspondingly, maybe to make it up to say, 25 pints?

Any ideas if this is worth trying, and would it make the beer taste a little better?

Thanks
Jamie

 

[Moley]

If you've got a local homebrew shop it might be worth spending a bit more on 500g of spraymalt and using that in place of some of the sugar.

The Young's Definitive Bitter is quaffable but a fairly basic brew, I'd suggest making to 32 pints with 750g of sugar.

 

[arthurbear]

Hi

I have just done a Youngs Bitter using 1 tin 524g of Black Treacle and 500g of Molasses Sugar,Used bottled water ( not tap water ) and only did it to around 32/35 pints.Its ready to go into my corny in couple of days ready for drinking on my next poker night ( 07/11/2009 ).May try a pint prior to sat and will let you know how it went. : :thumb:

 

[kaferboy]

Thanks Moley I'll give the 32 pinter a try. Unfortunately have no transport for a couple of weeks and nearest Homebrew shop is a good hours bus ride away....

Would love to hear how that Youngs turns out Arthur!

Cheers
Jamie

 

[Wez]

Using a different yeast to the yeast supplied is a good move too, have a browse around on different yeasts, I use mostly s-04, nottingham and Windsor.

 

[jonewer]

Without getting something from a homebrew shop its going to be difficult, but substituting some saugar with spraymalt and steeping some hops are the common ways to go.