What to add to my kit to give a richer taste?????

[trueheart]

Hi all

My mate and I have just bottled our second kit and like most begginers we tried our first batch within a week or so of bottling. We were a little dissapointed to be honest (kit was an "Art of Brewing" Premium bitter) but it has now been bottled for over 3 weeks and we cracked a couple open to try and the beer has taken on a more rounded finish and a little more taste, Result. The batch we have just bottled (Geordie Scottish bitter) has been boosted with some Goldings hops which we boiled for 15 mins and then added some more and steeped for a further 20 mins. This was added to our kit and hopefully this will produce a more hoppy flavour but my mate is more a fan of the slightly darker and sweeter ales. Can any body help with the following?

1. Can we add flavours to the kits by adding further ingredients like Maple syrup and if so how do we know how much to use in place of sugar?

2. What is the next stage up from standard kits like Geordie kits or Youngs kits etc?

3. What other flavours can be added? Any body added things like cinnamon, toffee or coffee?

Any help or suggestions will be gratefully received.

 

[corby_brewer]

Hi all

1. Can we add flavours to the kits by adding further ingredients like Maple syrup and if so how do we know how much to use in place of sugar?

2. What is the next stage up from standard kits like Geordie kits or Youngs kits etc?

3. What other flavours can be added? Any body added things like cinnamon, toffee or coffee?

Any help or suggestions will be gratefully received.

2- if you still what to use the youngs kits but try something different with them you could always try somethinh like this --- viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3797

3 - see this --- viewtopic.php?f=21&t=3444

I know it looks like i like stout, well after trying MD's coffee stout i do :) But there are plenty of people on here who will tell you what you can add to any kit.

DS

 

[jonewer]

Next step is probably an extract brew, but you could go to all-grain directly... the dark side!

This is my first extract brew, currently hibernating in the shed:

Amount Item Type % or IBU
1.00 kg DME
1.60 kg LME (Marris Otter)
0.45 kg Golden Syrup
0.25 kg Crystal Malt
0.25 kg Sugar

60.00 gm Chinook [12.70 %] (60 min)
25.00 gm Goldings, East Kent [4.70 %] (15 min)
25.00 gm Goldings, East Kent [4.70 %] (5 min)
10.00 gm Chinook [12.70 %] (0 min)

It isnt mature yet so I dont know what its going to really be like, but it tasted pretty good green.