SCAMMONDEN DARK - Which yeast

[goochio]

Hi I'm thinking of making my SCAMMONDEN DARK kit tonight and am just debating which yeast to use. I have the supplied yeast as well as some safale s04 and nottingham. Any idea which would be best to use.
I have had mixed results so far with my kits, wondered whether to try a different yeast.

[p2ll]

brewed this recently and it was a very tasty pint. went like crackers in the fv - I used s04 - added to the the supplied yeast as it was a bit slow. I had a pint out of the barrel after after a week to check for infection (cough) and it tasted great then - like bonfire toffee. Conditioned well. Mates think it was the best one yet. But then I had done lagers up to then. Didn'tlast three weeks so don't how well it would have been after four!

[goochio]

Thanks for that, its good to know. I still havn't got round to making it yet - will try tonight.
Did you add both yeasts at the same time or repitch?

[p2ll]

I repitched with the S04 after 24hours as it looked a bit quiet and I was dubious about the kit yeast.

[goochio]

Well i made the kit last night with some Nottingham yeast. (Wasn't sure about using the S04 on it). Rehydrated the yeast as per requirements. Checked this morning its as flat as a flat thing. No activity at all.
I'll give it 24 hours and i may repitch with S04 - Is this going to cause problems?

[p2ll]

is it warm enough? I've got a brew at the mo and it took 36 hours to get going, which surprised me. Might be worth a gentle rousing. You could add a small amount of sugar or yeast vit to let the yeast eat something easy (though the latter can add a twang so go easy). Just adding another packet of yeast won't harm - when I do lagers I double pitch due to the cooler temperature and they drop clear. Usual conditioning should sort it.

[goochio]

Got home last night, and checked it like an expactant father! I can safely say it has started to ferment!
Checked it this morning its grown again. Temp is 20c on the barrel.
Up until now I've always snapped the lid on completely when fermenting. The instructions stated to put lid loosely on.
Could this where I have been going wrong before.

[goochio]

I know its early days yet - this kits has been going since last weds evening. it has now fallen to 1012 with still signs of activity. I decided to have a little sample out curiousity. I'm starting to think i'm doing something wrong! It tastes bitter and sour. Basically everthing I have made so far (about 10 kits) have had varying degrees of this. But I've yet to have anything really drinkable.
I have only recently moved on to the two can kits. I am sterilising everything and rinsing etc. Am i doing something wrong! Only thing I havn't tried yet is treating water.
Or is it still early days! Is this to be expected?