Which Kit For Brew Number Two?

Discuss making up beer kits - the simplest way to brew.
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BigStripeyCat

Which Kit For Brew Number Two?

Post by BigStripeyCat » Sun Aug 17, 2008 5:33 pm

Now that my first brew, Woodforde's Wherry, is maturing I've started thinking about what brew number two should be.

Although I've enjoyed my introduction to home brewing it's not all been plain sailing:

Stuck fermentation - sorted with extra yeast and yeast nutrient,
KKTT had a leaky tap - faulty nut replaced,
No pressure following secondary fermentation - missing valve rubber seal replaced,
Still cloudy after a total of 41 days (28 days since start of first attempt at secondary fermentation and 13 days since start of second attempt at secondary fermentation).

Having read many posts on this excellent forum it seems as if the Wherry (or is it all Woodforde kits) is (are) prone to stuck fermentations and cloudiness. I would like to avoid these problems for my second brew and I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good bitter kit?

Damfoose

Post by Damfoose » Sun Aug 17, 2008 6:59 pm

I keged a Milestone IPA the other day after throwing some beerbright in it and leaving it in the FV for an extra few days, Just pulled a half to see how its coming along nice clear and tasty its sweetness is going and the hopyness is starting to come through.

maxashton

Post by maxashton » Sun Aug 17, 2008 10:51 pm

The cloudiness is most likely combined with your stuck fermentation problem. The mutons yeast isn't flocculating.

Next time you brew, try Safale S-04, or Danstar Nottingham yeasts. Both are readily available from your LHBS or one of the websites.

The Brupaks Pride of Yourkshire Colne Valley Bitter can't be a bad bet.

It's a top quality kit, as you would expect for the best part of 20 quid, and it wouldn't hurt to get yourself a packet of Safale S-04 to have in the fridge either!

Curious Brew

Post by Curious Brew » Sun Aug 17, 2008 11:17 pm

My first couple of kits were Coopers and I've only got good things to say about them.

frederick

Post by frederick » Mon Aug 18, 2008 9:56 am

Hi... I am on my third woodfords kit (Nelsons revenge) and I have no complaints whatever...in fact the only worry I have is the fermentation is very very fierce.
As an afterthought it tastes fantastic as well !!!

Take care ... Frederick

BigStripeyCat

Post by BigStripeyCat » Mon Aug 18, 2008 8:55 pm

Damfoose,
I used some beerbright in my keg for the first attempt at secondary fermentation and it was starting to clear but after second attempt it was, and still is, quite cloudy.

maxashton,
I have already got a couple packets of Safale S-04 ready for the next brew - one of the many lessons already learnt.

frederick,
I was thinking of Nelsons Revenge for my next brew, as long as I'm not going to have the same problems as the Wherry. I'm hoping that these problems were beginners (bad) luck.

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