woodforde's

woodworm · Post by **woodworm** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:31 pm

hi all,
looking at doing one of the woodforde's brews next.
thinking of trying "Norfolk Nog" or "Great Eastern", has anyone tried these and what's the general opinion of them and the woodforde's range.
thanks in advance

anomalous_result · Post by **anomalous_result** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:26 pm

I tried the Nog and was pleased with it. From what I remember it was dark brown and malty, specific aren't I

Also I used Safale S-04 yeast rather than the packet that comes with it. I've also tried the Wherry and that's not bad either.

Doughboy · Post by **Doughboy** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:14 pm

To be honest, im on my 4th Nelsons revenge which i stick to cos i like & it hasnt failed me yet!
I should really try the other ones as i guess they are probably just as good for my taste..
Although I had a stock of saleale and other yeasts, i used the woodfordes own yeast as, despite reports that its notorious for "sticking", it never has on me and I get a good feeling that its decent yeast as the sediment is a lot thicker and jelly-like at the end - unlike other brews ive done.
It works for me, so I preffer to save my separately brought yeasts for other cheaper kits...
The Nelsons revenge would be my recomendation, but i reckon whatever one you do, you'll be well pleased as they are better kits than some...
And I get a kick out of knowing that when Weatherspoons sell it on the pump for Â£1.70 or whatever....im getting similar for a lot cheaper (50p per pint-ish)
Im considering experimenting with the next one and adding less water to get a stronger brew close to the headcracker...

Doughboy

Parp · Post by **Parp** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:00 pm

In the past I've tried the Wherry on a few occasions - Brilliant kit.

Recently I tried the Admirals reserve, this is the first Woodforde's kit to come with 'aroma hops'.
Albeit in a sachet of white powder form.

Overall the kit was good but not as good as I remember the wherry to be.
Although I did a straightforward as per instructions brew.
One fermenter, then to keg then that was it.

Well worth a go though.

Cheers

Chris The Fish · Post by **Chris The Fish** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:09 pm

one of my all time favourite brews was a great eastern, with added progress (30-40g boiled and steeped then the juice added to the kit).

it was knockout.

as for the others...

Headcracker - in keg conditioning as we speak
Wherry - very, very nice!
Nelsons Revenge - i prefered the wherry
Great Eastern - also a top kit.

As for the woodfordes kits sticking, i dont think its the yeast, more the lack of fermentables in the cans - fair enough a 1016 finish will give you a pint full of body, however a 1026 finish is just too high and sweet for my liking.

if you do go for the woodfordes, just be aware that they will finish on the high side, its just a case of how high can you tolerate?

hope this helps

chris

Andy S · Post by **Andy S** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 6:36 pm

I've tried a Wherry and that was nice. Today I got a Norfolk Nog that's a few months out of date for Â£6. I thought it would be worth a go at that price.

woodworm · Post by **woodworm** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:21 pm

Andy S wrote:I've tried a Wherry and that was nice. Today I got a Norfolk Nog that's a few months out of date for Â£6. I thought it would be worth a go at that price.

Â£6

definately worth a go you jammy so and so

Thanks for the advice everyone

still undecided which one to go for next

(decisions, decisions)

StrangeBrew · Post by **StrangeBrew** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 8:57 pm

I enjoyed the flavour and crisp finish of the Wherry although for my liking, as it finished a little on the high side, it could of been a little stronger.
It really came in to it's own after 4 to 6 weeks conditioning.

The Nelson's Revenge turned out well too as you can see from the pic below, as for the taste...you'll have to take my word for it.

Next up from Woodfordes for me is the Great Eastern. I'm going to split this into two brews of 20 pints for ease of bottling and to experiment a little.
The first can/20 pints will brewed as per kit instructions and the 2nd will have a Brupaks Flavapak added.

Doughboy · Post by **Doughboy** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:19 pm

StrangeBrew wrote: The Nelson's Revenge turned out well too as you can see from the pic below, as for the taste...you'll have to take my word for it.

Next up from Woodfordes for me is the Great Eastern. I'm going to split this into two brews of 20 pints for ease of bottling and to experiment a little.
The first can/20 pints will brewed as per kit instructions and the 2nd will have a Brupaks Flavapak added.

Yes, the genuine glass adds the finishing touch IMO, ill be getting me one of them. - nice to see the site on the monitor

And the 2nd phase of your experiment sounds interesting.......
I get the feeling that there is some scope for "messing" around with these premium kits....i think as long as you dont go too daft, you should get good results anyway - hence my earlier theory about reducing the water volume...maybe

Doughboy

StrangeBrew · Post by **StrangeBrew** » Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:35 pm

Reducing the water will result in stronger beer, adding too much extra fermentables can definitely unbalance a beer.
Messing around in small stages is ok, atleast that way you can notice the small changes in the end product.
I must admit that I've cocked up a few brews messing around but they all got drunk!

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:39 am

Chris The Fish wrote:
As for the woodfordes kits sticking, i dont think its the yeast, more the lack of fermentables in the cans - fair enough a 1016 finish will give you a pint full of body, however a 1026 finish is just too high and sweet for my liking.

chris

yeah, it can't be the yeast cos I've used safale and it's still stuck. If it's lack of fermentables, could you add some. If it brings the FG down then it won't unbalance it will it, as it should be less sweet than if it stopped fermenting early? ...maybe.

steve_flack · Post by **steve_flack** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:43 am

It's a lack of fermentability - adding fermentables won't really lower your FG much as if there's unfermentable sugars there, they are still going to be there if you chuck more sugars in.

midasmesh · Post by **midasmesh** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:55 am

Only done the wherry kits myself and have 2 on the go at the moment, they have always been good in the past.

The wherry kits are available at Wilkos for Â£14.99.

Parp · Post by **Parp** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:55 am

I tried an Admiral's reserve kit.

It seemed to have stopped fermenting so i stuck it in a barrel with a minimal amout of golden syrup as a primer.

It conditioned itself with this and then went on to gas itself up very well after that.

I was drawing the beer off with gravity alone, every time i opened the cap, a good pfffft! came out.

Cheers

Wauny · Post by **Wauny** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:13 pm

I made the Nog as my Christmas beer. Primed with 80g muscarvado sugar before kegging. To me, the perfect winter beer - dark, malty, real easy drinking

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