x-mas brew help/tips wanted.

[mattfuzzy]

hi everyone

hopefully this month or next i will be starting a woodfords kit, mabe wherry or something like that, i want it ready for x-mas and want it to be the best kit ever since i have only done 1 real brew (not counting TC's and stuff) i was wondering if theres any tips at all i could use to make the kit atleast very drinkable in comparison to shop brought brews.

also im wondering what to do with it, the last brew i left in the fermenter for 3 weeks then moved to secondary for 3 weeks, since i had a tap on the secondary it was being drunk, didnt taste too good near the bottom (guessing sediment and stuff)

should i ferment for a week then use secondary for 2 or 3 weeks then bottle? in my (although little) experience, it seems it will keep producing sediment till its about 6 - 8 weeks old, i want the best taste, but not a mouth full of sediment in the process
thanks for reading.
-matt

[anomalous_result]

Daab's site is a mine of information, particularly Things the instructions don't tell you, and his own version of the instructions.

My recommendations go along the lines of making sure your water is good, it is most of the beer after all! A campden tablet is the best way to start. Using a yeast other than the one that comes with the kit seems to be popular such as Safale S04. This has the advantage of forming a sediment that is less likely to rise when you release the pressure. You can use the packaged yeast as nutrient/spare should the need arise.

Some also add hops to their kits to add a bit more character. It's not something I've tried though.

[mattfuzzy]

hey that websites pretty good
yeah but then i can bottle it and store it and erm.. brew more
-matt

[chopperswookie]

I wouldn't start brewing until late October, early November for Christmas.

or else you might sup it all!!

[J_P]

I hear good things about the brewferm Belgian kits, they need to be matured for ages you might be able to brew one of those up and leave it 'til Christmas.

[mattfuzzy]

cool thanks for the info, ill probibly buy a few kits and just hope for the best
-matt

[J_P]

Follow the tips on Daabs site and you'll get good beer every time - no hoping involved