Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

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cwrw gwent
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Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by cwrw gwent » Wed Jun 13, 2018 3:46 pm

Has anyone brewed Wilco Dark Velvet Stout? I've just bought a kit and will brew it shortly. The description says," Very dark and very hoppy, a rich beer full of great character". Does it compare to Guinness or Murphys? Ideally, I'd like it to taste like Beamish - brewed in Cork and available in the UK until about nine years ago when it was withdrawn because owners Heineken were “focusing on the domestic market”. I look forward to it when I go over to Ireland.

Manngold
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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by Manngold » Wed Jun 13, 2018 5:26 pm

Not really. It is an ok kit. I would really use 1kg of spray malt (don't skimp and use sugar) and brew short to 20l.

I made the mistake of using sugar with this kit and using beer kit enhancer and it was ok, took a long time to be even passable and I still have some bottles left that nobody really wants to touch. Not as good as Coopers Stout.

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cwrw gwent
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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by cwrw gwent » Wed Jun 13, 2018 6:50 pm

Thanks Manngold - what you've said is quite heartening because I'm hoping for more of a session stout than rocket fuel. I find the Cooper's Stout too highly flavoured, (even though it's a top quality kit that is good at a fortnight and fabulous after six months). I shall probably go for 50/50 medium Spraymalt/Tate & Lyle unless you strongly recommend 1kg Spraymalt and brew to 22 litres. I'll report here in a month's time.

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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by Manngold » Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:08 pm

N worries, glad to have helped. Up to you about the 50/50 split. I would personally go all spray malt if I was to do this brew again, but that is personal preference. If you want body, perhaps go all spray malt if you intend to brew to 22l?

Hope this helps

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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by WalesAles » Wed Jun 13, 2018 8:55 pm

cwrw,
I`ve made 2 of these, I can`t help you with the taste because I modified them a little bit! :D
1 Can Kit
500gr Med Spraymalt
500gr Demerara Sugar
1 bottle Polish Raspberry Syrup
To 18Lts Abv 6.6%

1 Can Kit
500gr Med Spraymalt
500gr Demerara Sugar
Split Brew on day 7
To 20Lts Abv 5.5%
38 Vanilla Chai Tea Bags in one,
40 Rooibos Earl Grey Tea Bags in the other. :D
Vanilla Chai was like Cough Medicine (It was consumed, of course)
Earl Grey was BLM! =D>

WA

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cwrw gwent
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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by cwrw gwent » Thu Jun 14, 2018 6:28 pm

Hi WA - I'll have to drop in one day and do a bottle swop - preferably for the Earl Grey stout rather than the vanilla or raspberry versions!!

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cwrw gwent
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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by cwrw gwent » Sat Jul 28, 2018 4:44 pm

At last, it's been cool enough to brew. Made the Wilco Dark Velvet Stout today with 50/50 medium spraymalt and ordinary sugar. Will report in a few weeks.

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cwrw gwent
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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by cwrw gwent » Sat Dec 22, 2018 10:52 am

I'm just coming to the end of this brew (bottled 5th August) and Manngold (see second post in this thread - 13th June) was spot on when he said it is an OK kit, but nothing more. It's over four months old and has matured nicely over the autumn but I can't say I'm enthusiastic - ho hum.

WalesAles
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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by WalesAles » Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:15 pm

cwrw,
Get another one on and bung in the Rooibos Earl Grey tea bags! :D
Take a look at this post (funny all the way through) with good reviews at the end! :D
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=73130

Yes, that was `Cooper`s Stout`, but the Wilko Stout is still great with the Rooibos.


WA

Go on, you know you want to. =D>

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cwrw gwent
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Re: Wilco Dark Velvet Stout

Post by cwrw gwent » Sat Dec 22, 2018 5:53 pm

Hi Wales Ales, rather than commit myself to a whole brew I'll call in and do a bottle swop next time I head out west. Failing that I'll put a Rooibos teabag in a pint bottle when I do another stout and see how it turns out!

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