New to brewing... some advice on kits.

[sparky Paul]

Are people suggesting cane sugar rather than spraymalt for this type of kit ?

Yes, you definitely need to go for cane or candy, there's not a lot of difference between the two. Using spraymalt makes the result too heavy for the style of beer.

[RatboyOllie]

Tha ambiant temperature in my room is 16C, so ive got a fishtank heater, which kept my stout at the 20C that I had it set at for the full time during fermentation. So when I get the belgians, would it be a good idea to set it to 23/24, as I have heard the fermentation is err a bit vigorous, so would the fermentation pull up that temperature?

Yeah the instructions for these kits say 25oC which is warm compared with some other kits but mine is just sat in the spare room wrapped up and never drops below 22ish so its been grand. With regards to vigorous fermentation, the two ive done havent been anything scary. I did the Abbey in a little 15litre fv and the ambiorix in an 18.5 litre "borrowed" office water bottle. Both have great big fat fluffy heads on them (krausen, is that the correct term??) but nothing crazy. Maybe ive been really lucky coz both mine seem to have got a massive head on them but no signs of wanting to escape or erupt. Suppose i have got at least 3.5 litres of air space on the ambiorix and more on the abbey.

Beware though, it smells delicious and is very tempting just to pour the can on your weetabix.

[196osh]

Tha ambiant temperature in my room is 16C, so ive got a fishtank heater, which kept my stout at the 20C that I had it set at for the full time during fermentation. So when I get the belgians, would it be a good idea to set it to 23/24, as I have heard the fermentation is err a bit vigorous, so would the fermentation pull up that temperature?

Yeah the instructions for these kits say 25oC which is warm compared with some other kits but mine is just sat in the spare room wrapped up and never drops below 22ish so its been grand. With regards to vigorous fermentation, the two ive done havent been anything scary. I did the Abbey in a little 15litre fv and the ambiorix in an 18.5 litre "borrowed" office water bottle. Both have great big fat fluffy heads on them (krausen, is that the correct term??) but nothing crazy. Maybe ive been really lucky coz both mine seem to have got a massive head on them but no signs of wanting to escape or erupt. Suppose i have got at least 3.5 litres of air space on the ambiorix and more on the abbey.

Beware though, it smells delicious and is very tempting just to pour the can on your weetabix.

Krausen is the right term.

Well mines will be getting done in a 25l fv, so thats 11l of head space, should be enough, .

Will put the heater on at 23C, so won't drop below that.

I'll keep that in mind, I hope its good stuff, I do like a good belgain.

[Benson_JV]

Krausen is the right term.

Well mines will be getting done in a 25l fv, so thats 11l of head space, should be enough, .

Will put the heater on at 23C, so won't drop below that.

I'll keep that in mind, I hope its good stuff, I do like a good belgain.

Beware, the Brewferms are insane for blowing right up The one (I cant remember which, i think it was perhaps the diablo) went from about 9 litres right to the top of a 30L fermenter.

[kennoway_brewery]

Great thread guys,

Think I'm gonna pop into the partick brew shop (which is literally round the corner from my flat, nice!) and pick up a tasty Belgian.

I'm having a temperature problem at the minute as well, Glasgow in January is sitting at about 16 to 18oC in my flat so too hot for lager , too cold for belgian beer by the sounds of things. any suggestions on brewing at this temperature very much appreciated. Otherwise might try out the fish tank heater idea (nicely done).

[196osh]

Krausen is the right term.

Well mines will be getting done in a 25l fv, so thats 11l of head space, should be enough, .

Will put the heater on at 23C, so won't drop below that.

I'll keep that in mind, I hope its good stuff, I do like a good belgain.

Beware, the Brewferms are insane for blowing right up The one (I cant remember which, i think it was perhaps the diablo) went from about 9 litres right to the top of a 30L fermenter.

Aye, was just going to get the one kit and hope it didnt explode and cover the carpet.