Stout Kits

[AlexCricket]

I am about to commit blasphemy - I did a Cooper's Stout and wasn't impressed. I did it back in the summer with 1kg of Dark Spraymalt as I had mistakenly ordered this instead of Medium. It always tasted a bit sour and thin though I don't think it got an infection as was drinkable but I was initially tempted to see how it cleaned the drains.

Anyway - am thinking about having another go but I wondered whether there were any other stouts people had tried and rated ie.

Black Rock Miner's Stout
Milestone's Black Pearl
Muloy's (new one which I think looks like a Morgan's)
Brupacks Brewer's Choice Irish Stout
John Bull Stout
Brupacks Microbrewery Stout Kit

Any ideas or am I best off just giving the Ditch's Recipe another try.

[Garth]

not done the Coopers one, but from the praise it gets on here I think something has gones wrong with yours.

Brupaks Black Moor Stout, one not on your list, was very good, dry and a bit like original Guinness, the one in the screw cap bottles.

Muntons Imperial Stout, although not quite as good as the Brupaks one, still a very good stout kit.

[AlexCricket]

I've done several Coopers kits and been really pleased - the only thing that I can think is that I may have cooked it as I brewed it in July and it was a bit warm but as an Oz kit I thought it would be ok.

Thanks for the brewpacs recommendation.

[b.all]

i would say go for the muntons imperial stout, best kit i've done so far. really nice thick black stout with a good brown head on it.

[legion]

I have a milestone black pearl which has been in the keg for about 3 weeks and is very tasty already. I prefer it to the Coopers and Brewmakers Stout.

[AlexCricket]

One query - How was the fermentation on the Black Pearl and Black Moor Stouts

[Garth]

the fermentation with the Black Moor was quite vigourous,

although most worts made from darker malts such as black and roast barley tend to be.

I used to make this 7% stout from a recipe on here, every time without fail it would be out of the fv, flood the tray it was on and be all over the kitchen floor the next day after pitching the yeast.

[barl_fire]

Any ideas or am I best off just giving the Ditch's Recipe another try.

It might even just be it wasn't to your taste. I'm just about to start a Ditch Stout in a couple of weeks myself, but I'm just as keen to try Black Pearl, Black Moor, Muntons Imperial as I'd like to find a stout kit I can stick with then build up a rolling stock of by comparing 4 or 5 different kits first, that's the plan anyway.

[EoinMag]

Coopers stout is not sour, I think you must have had an infection. Try it again would be my advice.

[AlexCricket]

I like a Stout to be rich and smooth with plenty of body - the Coopers seemed thin even with the DSM. I have also done a Coopers Old Ale which I really like - might just be a one off but you never know.

[dedken]

I read somewhere that Milestone's Black pearl is the best stout kit that money can buy, and the closest thing to a Murphy's style head. I've just brewed one and that is the exact reason I went for it over any other stout. It's only been conditioning for 4 days so I can't confirm yet!

[legion]

One query - How was the fermentation on the Black Pearl and Black Moor Stouts

My black pearl stuck at 1020 and I only managed to get it down to 1017. However I have tested the kegged beer and its now down to 1013.

[legion]

I read somewhere that Milestone's Black pearl is the best stout kit that money can buy, and the closest thing to a Murphy's style head. I've just brewed one and that is the exact reason I went for it over any other stout. It's only been conditioning for 4 days so I can't confirm yet!

Im finding it very moreish

[AlexCricket]

It looks increasingly to me that it's a toss up between the Brupaks Black Moor and the Milestone's Black Pearl.

If anyone has tried both these kits a comparison would be great - I'm in no hurry so can easily wait for this info.

Many thanks for all the helpful responses so far!

[AlexCricket]

Any one with any more help before I take the plunge?