milestone crusader, pungent smell & no head

[pongobilly]

i started my milestone crusader on tuesday and it really has a pungent smell coming from it, only ever had a smell like this once before with a muntons kit, also its not got a frothy head on it like all my other kits have had in the fv, just looks flat, athough it is fermenting though cos there are loads of bubbles coming to the surface.

weird one this one so far

[pongobilly]

just checked my crusader, and im getting a reading of 1010 already, its only been in fv for 2 days and its still fermenting away, forgot to take a first reading so will have no idea of the abv

[fivetide]

Takes an age to clear, but well worth it.

[marky66]

Dont worry about the smell , I had exactly the same , a bit eggy, and gravity dropped to 1008 in 4 days, as fivetide says takes a while to clear , but you will be well rewarded, easily the best kit I have made, mine is now clear and bright , added cascade hops gave it a great citrus edge, take my advice leave kegged for at least 4 weeks to get the best from this cracking beer

[fivetide]

As well as the great golden colour and taste (those Cacade's are just perfect) I'm really impressed with the creamy head. I cornie-carbonated in the exact same way as every other kit, but the Crusader has a lovely creamy head, very impressive for the money (and the fact I made it unwittingly while tired and emotional).

[batarang]

I'm convinced. This sounds like my next brew! At what stage did you both add the Cascade hops and how much do you add?

____________________________

Just started brewing again so:
Kegged and waiting : Sherwood Forest Bitter
Kegged and waiting : Woodfordes Wherry
Fermenting : Hoegaaden clone
Fermenting : Schiehallion clone

[marky66]

I added 50g of cascade hops and simmered them in the rise out from the 2 tins for around 40 mins, so I didnt dry-hop as I said earlier I suppose. Nevertheless turned out very nice, glad to see someone following the advice

[buzzrtbi]

by chance I had to pop into the local homebrew shop (in Minehead) for some odds and sods. He was selling the Milestone kits for a very reasonable price and as it will be a week or two before my next AG and the fermenter was standing idle. I thought why not - it is a great pint after all and it would be rude not to. so here it is in the conical - airlock is bubbling away like a good 'en. I ditched the yeast that came with the kit as I have never thought much to them and used a tried and trusted safale pack.

Gave the wort a damn good thrashing with a slotted spoon before pitching the hydrated yeast and this morning when I came down the airlock was going crazy !. Temp is a steady 22 degrees.

Super !!