Hamstead Design-A-Brew - Goblin in hob nail boots

[Tron]

Im going to use this as a little brew log to record my experiences using the design a brew system from hamstead brewing centre.

So far i've done 4 kits and they have been getting better and better each time, so wanted to give this a try to get something akin to hobgoblin, this recipe is in the guide from hamstead brewing centre, im not sure if this is should be in the kit or extract section as i wont be boiling the wort but i feel its closer to extract so its here.

Recipe:
2 x Base 3 - medium
1 x Character pack 4 - Crystal malt
1 x Charater pack 3 - Chocolate malt
1 x Hop pack - Fuggles
1 x Hop pack - Sytrian Goldings
1 X DAB Yeast pack

Ordered last night and i will update once i get the brew on

[Tron]

Well my kit just arrived, so looks like i'll be brewing this weekend

[HighHops]

I've never seen this before. How much does it cost to make a brew? From the picture it looks like hops and crystal or chocolate malt all cost £6.11 each!

[boingy]

Heheh. The 6.11 is the best before date...

I also had not heard of the design a brew so I looked on their website:

www.hamstead-brewing-centre.co.uk/itmidx19.htm

Interesting idea. It's like kit modifying by numbers. The base is a hopped malt extract, the character packs are small quantities of adjunct malts and the finishing packs are aroma hops or more esoteric stuff like elderflowers. It's nothing you can't do by buying all the stuff loose but I think it's a pretty good idea, especially for kit brewers who want to brew something a bit different.

[Tron]

Yes 6.11 is the best before

Yeah, i would love to step up from kits, started with the single tin + suger/dme which had reasonable results, then a 2 tin premium kit which was a lot better, so keen to have a go at this as it seems like a good half way house to extract brewing.
Thats the next step for me but need to build up some cash and room in the house for a proper boiler.

[Tron]

Put this on today was really easy but forgot to take pics
Need to be careful with the teabags as they seem to break open easily.
SG was 1042 @ 22c

I also put on the german style lager from there recipe sheet.
Its SG was was 1040