Contender for dumbest question of the year.

Steeev · Post by **Steeev** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:20 pm

Would I be right in thinking that beer kits are just LME that has been 'hopped', with a packet of dried yeast?
i.e. Could I do the same thing for a fraction of the cost by just buying LME (or DME) and adding a hop tea and yeast to it? (obviously more hit and miss than pre-made cans)

noby · Post by **noby** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:54 pm

Not a dumb question at all, and you're dead right in your thinking.

The kits are probably more than just plain LME, but if you can buy grains to steep, and hops, then you're away.

There are plenty of recipes out there for this type of brewing, so it doesn't have to be entirely hit and miss.

Steeev · Post by **Steeev** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 3:11 pm

Thanks guys.
I guess I underestimated the cost of LME. I have kilos and kilos of that and molasses upstairs, all on my mate's budget of course

I'm on a shoestring at the mo, and a fledgeling brewer, but all going well and a few kits under my belt, I may well step up to the challenge.
But, as my old boss once so eloquently put it: "Steve, don't try to s**t bigger than your a**e!"
Never a truer word spoken (and sorry for any offence caused by lack of asterisks!)

Reg · Post by **Reg** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:52 pm

QUOTE (Steeev @ Apr 10 2006, 02:11 PM) Thanks guys.
I guess I underestimated the cost of LME. I have kilos and kilos of that and molasses upstairs, all on my mate's budget of course

I'm on a shoestring at the mo, and a fledgeling brewer, but all going well and a few kits under my belt, I may well step up to the challenge.
But, as my old boss once so eloquently put it: "Steve, don't try to s**t bigger than your a**e!"
Never a truer word spoken (and sorry for any offence caused by lack of asterisks!)
There are plenty of extract recipes or alternatives in "Brew Your on Real Ale at Home" by Graham Wheeler and Roger Protz. In that way, the... ehem... hard pushing has already been done for you.

The bonus of investing in this little tome is that you will find a broad variety of recipes to try that might justify a bulk extract purchase.

Steeev · Post by **Steeev** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:45 pm

Cheers Reg!
That's affordable, too.
I'll head down to Foyles and have a look at that.

Post by **Andy** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:49 pm

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brew-Your-Own-Rea ... dZViewItem

Currently on ebay but Ã‚Â£5.50 + delivery already and still 5 days to go.

Steeev · Post by **Steeev** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 7:58 pm

I was looking at their Almondbury Old - made my mouth water reading the descrition. My HBS doesn't seem to list the Fixby Gold.
I have to get this Wherry and a Nelson's Revenge out of the way first.
At least now the Wherry has started to ferment again!

Post by **Andy** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 8:24 am

He's also selling Wheeler's Home Brewing book - but you've got that one haven't you...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Home-Brewing-a-CA ... dZViewItem

Someone in Dorchester selling it also:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Home-Brewing-The- ... dZViewItem

Steeev · Post by **Steeev** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:48 am

That book seems to have hit it's ceiling. May be worth a sneaky last minute bid.
Still a quid and a half cheaper than the bookstore at the mo.
have ebay funked up their presentation?

Reg · Post by **Reg** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:19 am

It's certainly the most comprehensive of the two. I have both. (Gloat)

Post by **Andy** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:50 am

The excellent Dave Line Brewing Beers Like Those You Buy is also going at the moment.

99p (+Ã‚Â£2 postage) with zero bids and 10hrs left!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BREWING-BEERS-LIK ... dZViewItem

Great book full of interesting recipes!

Steeev · Post by **Steeev** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:59 am

Wow!
Thanks for all the sugestions.
So which would be the best for the kit-to-extract brewer?
It's going to be a long while before I'm able to start mashing, or anything requiring another outlay.

James · Post by **James** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:01 pm

All of the extract kits available are good. For the best quality, it would be an idea to stick with any of the 3kg/3.6Kg kits. These do not need additional sugar, it all comes from the malt itself; just like it would in a brewery.

The 1.5Kg/1.8Kg kits require you to add sugar which can lead to a thin, watery beer. You can replace the sugar with a product called Ã¢â‚¬Å“Beer Kit ImproverÃ¢â‚¬

noby · Post by **noby** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:34 pm

I also have "Clone Brews" It's more just a recipe book than a brewing guide. It covers 150 beers from round the world, sorted by country (some of them I've even heard of (the beers that is, not the countrys))

Anyway, each recipe is formulated for extract/steeping grains, partial mash, and all-grain. So no matter what level you're at, you should be able to give them a go.

Reg · Post by **Reg** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 4:24 pm

QUOTE (noby @ Apr 11 2006, 01:34 PM) I also have "Clone Brews" It's more just a recipe book than a brewing guide. It covers 150 beers from round the world, sorted by country (some of them I've even heard of (the beers that is, not the countrys))

Anyway, each recipe is formulated for extract/steeping grains, partial mash, and all-grain. So no matter what level you're at, you should be able to give them a go.
You were referring to the Graham Wheeler Brew your Own Real Ale at Home there? (It sounds like it, but I don't own the Dave Line).

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Contender for dumbest question of the year.

Contender for dumbest question of the year.