Winter ale

[Luvabeer]

Hi all as anybody brewed a Wilco winter spiced ale? I’ve just bought one it’s my last kit beer before I progress to a mash tun so I was wondering what to expect from the kit.
Any option’s much appreciated
Cheers

 

[terrym]

No reviews on this site.
Since its nearly a premium kit I would brew it in the near future it as it comes, or perhaps slightly shorter if you want something a bit stronger. Adding extra hops will probably get killed by the spices so I wouldn't bother. Then leave it until December to mellow out. I wouldn't expect too much from it, but if it turns out good you have an additional Xmas present.

 

[Luvabeer]

Cheers Terrym
I’ve just got it started so should be good for the festive season!
It’s all malt so there saying 4.8 abv lets see!
Then a new chapter in my learning curve the mash tun exited!!

 

[Arcs]

You could also try the Geordie winter warmer which is very nice too

 

[DavieC]

Hi, how did this turn out?

 

[parpot]

Cheers Terrym
I’ve just got it started so should be good for the festive season!
It’s all malt so there saying 4.8 abv lets see!
Then a new chapter in my learning curve the mash tun exited!!

Yes interested to see how it turned out also, as I have it on the go at the moment. I added an extra 500g DME and has a starting ABV of 1.061

 

[DavieC]

I started mine last night, brewing as is, og looked to be 1055/7 but so much froth couldnt quite see, could be slightly less, bubbling away nicely now.

 

[parpot]

I am away at the mo so hopefully it will be finished when I get home on Tuesday, I will let you know how it turns out!

 

[gar]

I picked one up from wilko in the recent sale. I'm going to make it up without the spice flavouring

 

[kelper]

I have an underwhelming kit brew - Woodfordes Nelson's Revenge. I think I'll pimp this up with some Riddles 'Flaming Hot' ginger essence and some allspice. I'll transfer some beer from pressure barrel to bottle and then pimp.

 

[parpot]

I have an underwhelming kit brew - Woodfordes Nelson's Revenge. I think I'll pimp this up with some Riddles 'Flaming Hot' ginger essence and some allspice. I'll transfer some beer from pressure barrel to bottle and then pimp.

I think the Nelsons Revenge is a great kit as it is, but is far better when about 6 months old, if you can wait that long!

 

[kelper]

I think the Nelsons Revenge is a great kit as it is, but is far better when about 6 months old, if you can wait that long!

I've enjoyed all the Woodforde's kits but my tastes are developing and I find them too malty. But all my beers get drunk within a few weeks. Maybe I should bottle some as is and see if they round out. I hate almost all commercially bottled beers as too gassy. But if I transfer from the pressure barrel and don't reprime I should avoid that. My method is to well carbonate in the barrel and let the foam overflow the bottles so the headspace is filled with CO2 bubbles and no air.

 

[parpot]

Wilko Winter Ale bottled today ABV 5.9% 26 days in the FV, smells & tastes great!

 

[DavieC]

Mine's only 4 days in, bubbling nicely, I'll empty the spice satchet in later, good that yours turned out well @parpot, Im hoping for 14 days in fv though..was it slow to reach fg as you had 26 days?

 

[parpot]

Yes it was slow but possibly because it was pimped up a bit (500g DME), also I was away towards the end of the fermentation so can not be totally sure when it finished, I would guess between day 20 and day 23

 

[parpot]

Tried one last night, although still carbing up its one of the best brews I have made in over 360Ltrs

 

[DavieC]

Mine is still chugging away, , must admit the aroma was fantastic when I dropped the spices in.

 

[parpot]

Mine is still chugging away, , must admit the aroma was fantastic when I dropped the spices in.

Let me know what you think of it when you taste it!

 

[DavieC]

Yep will do

 

[An Ankoù]

While I can manage a glass of some of the Belgians that have a bit of coriander and orange peel in them, I can't get on with spiced beer and so called Christmas beers. It seems to make the bitterness turn astringent. On the other hand, a proper ginger beer with enough ginger to give it a bite is certainly a treat.
And then there's mulled wine and mulled ale, isn't that supposed to be ordinary wine or beer warmed up and the spices added just before drinking?