Beer Kit Brew Aroma

[Waywood]

I casked a Muntons Premium Gold kit in October (Smugglers Gold), and followed up a week later with a malt extract recipe for Ruddles County from the Graham Wheeler 'Brew Your Own British Real Ale at home'. Both are now conditioned and improving with age.

I have noticed that whatever kit I use, the final brew always has a very distinct aroma. This has never occurred with any malt extract, partial or full grain mash brews I have undertaken.

Can anyone explain why this occurs and whether it can be eliminated?

Thanks.

[Waywood]

The aroma is hard to describe. I always thought it seemed yeasty, but this does not occur with other types of brew (only kits) - I generally always use a yeast starter anyway.

The most recent kits have all been muntons.

[Waywood]

Thanks for the advice. Will definitely try out the yeast. With regard to the Brewpacks are you refering to the 3kg kits?

All previous brews have been the 3kg or more woodfordes or Muntons kits.

I have the Muntons Imperial Stout to make up, which was planned for this weekend, but will hold off until I get some better yeast. This will probably mean mail order or another option may be to approach one of the local breweries. I was thinking about this for the all grain brew that is now conditioning.