Promised an update on Youngs American Craft APA

[edonald774]

Well that's mine on.
Our beer club are doing a kit comparison thing and I got this kit to do. Have to say, the yeast in mine has gone crazy, as good as any of the brews I've done with a yeast starter so hoping it'll ferment down quite quickly. Put it together on Sunday and last night the krausen was touching the lid.

My only gripe is that the yeast stinks! It smells like something died in the packet.

[Hopping_Mad]

My only gripe is that the yeast stinks! It smells like something died in the packet.

Was that in the packet or once it was in the wort? Close the lid for two weeks and leave it! Love the blog btw. May inspire me to do something with the three raised beds I nearly broke my back building with Polish railway sleepers for the missus, and which she has now abandoned!

I'm down to 1007 now. I drank the trial jar and it's most definitely alcoholic!!! Certainly needs the dry hopping though to make it interesting. Won't go too early with that though after my unbelievably hoppy experience with my Festival Golden Stag - so hoppy it's only me that likes it! Shame!

[edonald774]

It was just when it was dry in the packet. In the beer it smells fine.

I'd really recommend getting into the garden, there's something about a meal and beer that you've made/grown... makes for a great feeling of pride.

[edonald774]

ok mine has been in the fermentor since sunday last week - so 11 days? And it still has a massive thick kroisen head on it.
When did this die back for you?
I want to get the dry hops in and ideally bottle it this weekend as it's meant to be ready for a tasting at the brewing club on the 1st June.

[Hopping_Mad]

So, after 2 weeks fermenting, 2 weeks in the warm after bottling and 2 weeks in the garage, I thought I'd have a 'sample' last night of the Youngs APA.

At around 4.5% ABV, given my best estimates, it's nowhere near the suggested 5.6% on the box but I'm wondering if my initial sample wasn't stirred well enough as it tastes more alcoholic than that!

Great white head, retained throughout the drink and lacing right down to bottom. Sensible level of carbonation from the priming sugar supplied. Not too fizzy.

WARNING - only serious hopheads should use the full packet of hops provided!!! Nice citrusy/grapefruit smell, and a full on taste bud hop attack on first taste!!! That's right up my street but won't be to everyone's liking. (Is it just me, I've started to find commercial microbreweries pale and golden ales really ''bland'?)

Another slight warning. Although the beer is clear as a bell, the sediment is taking its time to compact - the slightest knock is sending cloudy plumes up the bottle. Hopefully more cool conditioning will help with that.

It's just slightly 'green' at the moment, but not bad. I think I will be attacking it seriously in another couple of weeks when, hopefully, the sun will be shining and we can all get some barbecue action!!!

[LeeH]

Sounds right up my street.

[edonald774]

Mine's is bottled, eventually.
I'll test it on Saturday night and see if it's carbonated and how it tastes.

[Hopping_Mad]

That's one patient brewing club you have ed!!!

[solbrew]

Well, I bottled on 10 May and have had a couple of bottles over the last week. I I have to say I am amazed how well it has turned out- agreed about the hoppiness, but I like it hoppy so this is spot-on for me. There was quite a lot of sediment in the bottles as I probably bottled too early, and it seems to cause a problem when pouring towards the last inch or so. Anyway, first brew, won't be the last and can thoroughly recommend this kit as I managed to make some decent beer as a first-timer.

[WalesAles]

Well, I bottled on 10 May and have had a couple of bottles over the last week. I I have to say I am amazed how well it has turned out- agreed about the hoppiness, but I like it hoppy so this is spot-on for me. There was quite a lot of sediment in the bottles as I probably bottled too early, and it seems to cause a problem when pouring towards the last inch or so. Anyway, first brew, won't be the last and can thoroughly recommend this kit as I managed to make some decent beer as a first-timer.

Good for you Sol!
No looking back now! You don`t know what you have let yourself in for!
Get another Brew on quick so you don`t lose any of that enthusiasm!

WA

[Hopping_Mad]

Ditto the sediment for me Sol! It doesn't seem to be compacting even after 4 weeks. Bloody 'west coast' yeast, keeps having the wanderlust!

Next time I do this (and I'm definitely going to as it's the best end result I've had from a kit), I think I'm going to have in a secondary FV for 5-7 days before bottling, see if a can get some more of that yeast to settle out. There was 15g of the stuff that went in originally, which is more than any other kit I've done.

I can't wait any longer, I'm at it big style already. Can't believe it's so good after a month in bottles!!!

Can't remember what US hops it was now (Centenniel and something else?), but I think I'm going to get some to dry hop other kits - it really is rather nice!

[solbrew]

Thanks WalesAles and Hopping Mad.
A bit of luck perhaps first time, but also I know it's the really hoppy stuff I like to drink when out, so it's re-creating that at home that is the attraction of brewing.
Also holding on to the faint notion that it might be a money-saving exercise!
I've actually bottled my second lot, a Milestone IPA, seems fine but not as complex to brew or as interesting to taste, not yet anyway.

[Linus]

Currently doing this kit.

After 5 days with no bubbling in the airlock,i tested the gravity its 1030 from 1050,its alive then a lovely krausen though.

12 days in not a bubble in the airlock still,now down to 1012,strangest kit I`ve done yet, but obviously getting on with it.

Not long till the hops go in.