Sticky Muntons. Grrrrr. help please.

[shandypants5]

THATS IT!!!
NO MORE MUNTONS KITS !!!

I am sick of sticking kits that barely get down to a drinkable gravity, it is Coopers only from now on.

At the moment I have a Smugglers Special Premium Ale on the go, but it stuckand was still at 1022 after 14 days.

I roused it added some yeast nutrient, and put a heater belt on it.

5 days later its only dropped to 1020 although there does seem to be "some" activity still.(the airlock is bubbling VERY slowly).

At 7 days,(21 in total) Out of desperation I have just thrown in a packet of coopers yeast I had left over to see if that will kick its arse into action.

My questions to you good people, are.

1) How long can I leave it in the FV trying to attain a lower gravity? its been 3 weeks so far.

2) Was repitching new yeast after 3 weeks a good idea?

3) should I drive it to my nearest Muntons supplier and pour it thru the letterbox.

[shandypants5]

Thanks Chris,
There seems to be a bit more airlock activity today (about 1 a bubble a min) so I think I will leave it another week before I bottle/keg it.

But that will mean its been on the yeast for a month.
Do you think that might give it some funny flavours?
and if it does, are they likely to dissapear with a long maturing? or would the beer be tainted for ever?

It started at 1052, so its got some alcohol in it already, but it would be nice if I could get it a bit drier.

At £20 I was really hoping this "premium" kit would be something to show off to people.
If I wanted bad tasting cheap beer I would just get it in cans from a supermarket.

I get my kits mail order from Brewgienie, I will send them an Email listing my failed kits, just so that they are aware that there IS a problem, but I am not blaming them for Muntons poor quality controll.

Does anyone have a complaints Email for Muntons, or a real address I can write to?
From what I read on these boards no one ever gets a reply anyway, but I want to vent at someone.

[jubby]

shandypants5 wrote


It started at 1052, so its got some alcohol in it already, but it would be nice if I could get it a bit drier.

1.052 to 1.020 is not too bad, it gives approx 4.2% ABV, but as you point out it may be a bit on the sweet side and the advertised is 5% i think.

Contact info:

Linda Arthrell

Homebrew Sales Executive

Muntons plc

m: +44 7717581223

e: linda.arthrell@muntons.com

w: http://www.muntons.com

I would suspect that you have seen my post on this subject. If not, then have a browse before contacting Muntons.......when you have a couple of hours spare

[rollin danny]

On the side of the Admirals reserve box it says once the beer has a reading of 1.020 or less you can bottle/keg.

[shandypants5]

Thanks jubby.

I will get a mail off as soon tommorow, bit tiddly now, best I do it sober...

[Scotty]

I had a similar problem with a Milestone kit a few months ago, only to find out it was made by Muntons. I bottled it and it still tastes like sh*t.

[Ditch]

THATS IT!!!
NO MORE MUNTONS KITS !!!

I am sick of sticking kits that barely get down to a drinkable gravity, it is Coopers only from now on.

I think ye answered yeself quite admirably there, mate.

Oh; That and 3 .....

[Tramorak]

Well, I think it is about time to give up on my Muntons Milestone IPA.

Today marks 2 weeks in the FV in which time it has.....

1. Started Perfectly (1040) and dropped to 1020.

2.Stuck.

3. Been roused and had Youngs yeast nutrient added (as recommended by a workmate). Dropped to 1018.

4. Stopped

5. Repitched with Safale 04 added a sugar and water yeast starter (as recommended by local homebrew shop) and a fish tank heater (20*C) for coming up to 24 hours.

I still need to run a hydro test today but just looking at the beer seems to indicate that it is going nowhere. As of right now, whatever happens with the reading, I am going to give it another 24 hours and see what happens.

Not even sure it will be worth bottling if it stays as it is. (2.7% and very sweet) Not the start you want for your first brew back in the game after 17 years away.

Still, I guess things can only get better right?

Dave.

[Tramorak]

Sorry mate, that's a bit of a kick in the knackers. Frustratingly there are still people recommending these kits despite all the problems they have caused.

If you want a decent beerfrom a kit then i'd recommend trying Coopers beer kits (and adding 1kg of spray malt in most cases) or if you want to try something from the premium end of the market go for Brupaks Brewers Choice beer kits, option 2 (+1kg of spray malt).

Good luck with it.

Cheers Chris, I never expected it to go perfectly but this has been a bit beyond the pale. Fortunately I have an excellent local HB shop who are happy to pass on wisdom and don't try to sell an amateur something they don't need. (Something that the £2-5 I could save on stuff in Wilko's couldn't buy).

I have my eyes on a Coopers kit next, but won't be able to do anything until after the bank holiday weekend is over. I am still hopeful of getting my IPA to drop another 4/5 points which should at least take away most of the sweetness even if it makes it into a very long session beer (waste not etc )

Dave.

[Ditch]

Frustratingly there are still people recommending these kits despite all the problems they have caused.

My sentiments exactly, Chris

Reminds me of Longford .....


Dave; Ye'll do fine with Coopers. Trust me on this. Just be prepared for the 'Blow'! Fermentation is NOT a problem with Coopers!

[mickhew]

I've just poured a Wherry kit down the drain, developed a real rubbery taste, probably autolysis. It's annoying, and a waste of money, but I've moved on without many tears, have a Coopers Bitter on the go, and my last one was fine.
Best thing is to get straight back on the bike !

[Tramorak]

Maybe I spoke too soon.

There does appear to be a (very) thin fresh yeast film on top of the beer when I did a temp check. For that reason, I am gonna pass on the hydro check today as I don't want to disturb nature.

Dave; Ye'll do fine with Coopers. Trust me on this. Just be prepared for the 'Blow'! Fermentation is NOT a problem with Coopers!

Fortunately the Fish Tank heater makes it possible to move it out of the living room . SWMBO loves beer (I am a very lucky man) but not really up her walls.

Dave.

[OldSpeckledBadger]

Well, I think it is about time to give up on my Muntons Milestone IPA.

Today marks 2 weeks in the FV in which time it has.....

[snip]
Dave.

Sorry to hear about your problem brew. I've just done a Lion's Pride which didn't stick but took 6 days to get from 1.018 to 1.010.

[shandypants5]

My Smugglers is still sitting at 1020 so I think I am going to have to give up and bottle it soon.

I must get some of that amyloglucosidase you mentioned Chris, handy for emergencies.

One thing though, I would like to bottle this in 2L PET so I can hide it away untill I am thirsy enough to drink sweet beer.

But if its stuck in the FV will add ing priming sugar actually work and produce any fizz?
Or should I corny it and force carb?

[rollin danny]

All Im saying is my wherry finished at 1.018 ,gave it a rouse ,still 1.018 so I bottled and it was clear after a week and turned out lovely.Probably not as strong as 4.5 abv [forgot to take o.g] but it was certainly not sweet and sickly.In fact I gave a bottle to my dad and he was so impressed he went and bought himself a kit after ten years of not brewing.