Wilko Light Summer Ale

[RichieBeer]

Has anyone had a go at this kit? it's the one-can kit from Wilko's new "artisan" range.

https://www.wilko.com/wilko-limited-edition-beer-kit-15kg/p/0468412

I have a can here and am looking to get it on soon so in a few months time I'll hopefully have a nice beer for the Summer months.

Just want to know if there's anything I can do to improve it or should I just do as per instructions?

 

[terrym]

If the kit instructions suggest using just sugar as an addition, you could substitute some DME for some or all of that. Alternatively use brew enhancer. You could also enhance some of the Progress hops the kit claims to have by doing a dry hop with some more. I've not used Progress before but 25 - 50g would be my guess as to quantity.
Also if you really wanted to have a go you could do a mini mash
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/simple-kit-plus-mini-mash-method-to-improve-a-kit.52938/
Finally I think light beers tend to lose some of their freshness if you leave them too long so I would only allow a month or so from packaging before I started to drink it.

 

[RichieBeer]

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll try substituting with DME.

I should have added that it comes with lager yeast (6g). The instructions read pretty much the same as any other kit I've done in the past but I've never used lager yeast before. Is there anything I should be wary of?

 

[terrym]

Any kit that comes with 6g of yeast may be prone to sticking*, since it is on the lower limit of what is enough to brew 23 litres of beer. That's why Muntons eventually increased the quantity of yeast in the Wherry from 6g to 12g. So if you use the kit yeast follow the instructions regarding fermentation temperature and certainly don't try to ferment at lower lager temperatures. However you could consider changing the kit yeast for a CML Californian yeast which would suit the style, and is an inexpensive addition. Forum members get 10 % discount at CML
https://www.crossmyloofbrew.co.uk/yeast-specs
*More on stuck fermentations here
https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/...s-for-dealing-with-stuck-fermentations.74910/

 

[RobinB]

Make it asap .. the longer you leave it before drinking the better .. and use bottled water from supermarket.... and use wilko spray malt instead of sugar ... cheers

 

[terrym]

and use bottled water from supermarket....

Why? If your mains water is good enough to drink on its own without a second thought, and it doesn't smell or taste of anything unusual (like chloramine) it's good enough for brewing, although treatment may be needed for AG brewing. If its not OK then you need to use bottled water. From what I've read many on here use mains water, including me.

 

[RobinB]

Whatever rocks your boat ... mains water here in the Midlands is ***** !!