Tom Caxton Kit from Wilkos

[linnij]

I've just bought their "real ale" kit for a tenner and noticed it contains a sachet of hop extract to add to the brew to increase the hoppiness as you fancy. I was just wondering if anyone had used this kit before and added half of (or the full) sachet and what the results were like. Is the kit like any commercial ale so I know what to expect?

All my bottles are full at the mo, so I won't be able to get it going for a while, but I'm just curious in advance.

[rollin danny]

Ive done that kit ,it came out really nice.I just bunged all hop sachet in.If I did it again I might just try half to see if it makes any difference.Im really into Aussie ale kits at the moment

[linnij]

Cheers for that Danny.

I like them fairly hoppy, so I probably will just stick in the full sachet.

[mercilessrich]

I tried this as my second brew, added the whole sachet and it was very hoppy, but good. I used sugar so maybe use spraymalt to give more body. Think it could have benefitted from it.

[welsh_kai_boy]

I have a TC Best Bitter in the FV at the moment. First time of brewing this kit so used the whole hop-up sachet. On the calender it should be ready today but I can still see bubbles rising so I will leave a few more days before testing and barrelling. I have also used the beer enhancer on sale in Wilko's.

Only issue I have is that there is the odd yeast cluster floating on the top which compared to my Youngs best bitter kit i didn't see this problem.

I am also going to trial Youngs finnings as my last beer was a little cloudy.

BR

WKB

[rollin danny]

Dont worry about scum floating in the fv thats normal .It dosn,t look to pretty at that stage.A note about Youngs definitive bitter from Wilkos.I did one at Christmas with bke ,bottled it on 2nd jan and its still in my cellar like mud.Ive been brewing kits on and off for over 20 years and never had cloudy beer.Ive cracked one and it has a great head on it but tastes just ok.I wouldn,t do it again but for £6.99 I didn,t expect too much.

[garwatts]

I've just bought their "real ale" kit for a tenner and noticed it contains a sachet of hop extract to add to the brew to increase the hoppiness as you fancy. I was just wondering if anyone had used this kit before and added half of (or the full) sachet and what the results were like. Is the kit like any commercial ale so I know what to expect?

All my bottles are full at the mo, so I won't be able to get it going for a while, but I'm just curious in advance.

I made mine with 1/2 a packet and we just finished drinking it all last night It was lovely, I think the whole packet would be too much for me personally.

[FlourPower]

In my opinion the real ale is not as good as the best bitter. However I'd add the full sachet to each. If you are concerned then add half. You can always add more on the next brew.

As for the kits in general. Time is not a measure for beer or bread making (grr at kit instructions and breadmakers) and I've found that Tom Caxton kits often require a lot longer than suggested in the FV and a hell of a lot longer in Bottles/Keg. Use the 6 days fermentation suggestion for when to start looking at it I'd suggest.

[blankfrank]

On the strength of all the above I've just been to Wilko's (very limited range in Halifax) and picked up a TC real ale kit. I've allways used 2 can (no sugar) kits before and have been loathed to experiment apart from prime with DSM. I'm going to try half the hops, half spray malt/half glucose and add some body bru (maltodextrin) with Munton's gold yeast to ensure good fermentation due to reduction in sugar, any thoughts?

Happy Days.....

Drinking

Milestone Black Pearl
Munton's Conkerwood

FV

Munton's Smuggler's Special Reserve


Waiting to go

Milestone Black Pearl
Milestone Olde Home Wrecker
Tom Caxton Real Ale (enhanced version)

[Barm]

mmmm - "hops in a bag" sounds like a good idea, dunnit? I too like a hoppy beer - but not one that strips the emanel off your teeth . I found the isomerised 'hopbag' added plenty of bitterness - but it's a harsh, cutting bitterness. The full sachet was tooooo much, about 1/2 - 3/4 gives a better balance. What the isomerised extract didn't appear to do was give any noticeable hop flavour, and certainly no hop aroma - basically it's just bittering, and not IMHO a pleasant bittering.
Much better off ditching the bag. Make the kit up with spraymalt or kit enhancer rather than white sugar; and boil up some real hops in a pan, then strain the liquor in through a muslin. A doddle to do, and will produce a result of quality that belies it's meagre price-tag.

[blankfrank]

Great idea are we getting into the realms of extract brewing? As I've only ever brewed kits previously could you suggest which type of hops, how much/weight and length of time to boil to achieve a well balanced ale?

Drinking

Milestone Black Pearl
Munton's Conkerwood

FV

Munton's Smuggler's Special Reserve


Waiting to go

Milestone Black Pearl
Milestone Olde Home Wrecker
Tom Caxton Real Ale (enhanced version)

[Barm]

Hey blankfrank
soz for slow reply - been abroad on business.
I guess it is a form of simple extract brewing - but it is SOOOOOOO easy and cheap; and improves a 'standard' kit unbelievably.

for a brew using 1 can, 1kg enhancer and made up to 19-20L, I'd usually do something like:
5-10g boiled for 30mins
15g boiled for 10mins
15g boiled for 1min, and then allow to steep for a couple of minutes before straining (and sparging through with boiling water) into PV containing extract and dissolved-up enhancer (I prepare this with up to 4L of water in a big pan on the stove, to make dissolution easier). then make up final brew volume to 19-20L with cold water

for 'traditional English ale' - Fuggles and East Kent Goldings are pretty common. substitutes might be challenger and progress - but these can be stronger, so may need to reduce amounts a little.