First brewday - Geordie Scottish Export kit (with pics)

[Gruesome]

My Caxton is now kegged mate. I did it Tuesday but forgot to post it here. All went well, I decided not to sample it as it's not going to be very strong but at the last taste it was bitter and hoppy...as it probably should be. I reckon it'll sweeten and get stronger with the extra sugar from kegging. I just have to wait now....

[5thelement]

Totem - Thanks. Regarding sediment i'd say a couple mm's so far, i'll take a picture later and post it up so you can see for yourself (if it shows up in the pics!)

Gruesome - Glad to hear it all went well

[5thelement]

As promised here's the pictures

As you can see it's definately cleared alot



The sediment is only about 2mm max, you can see the white line of it here

[Gruesome]

That's looking lovely and clear now isn't it? How many have you sampled? It must be hell being able to see it like but to have to leave it alone. I'm fortunate in so far as mine's in the shed and in a keg so I don't see it clearing. I'm less tempted to sample it that way. I'm determined to leave mine until mid-summers day, then way-hayyyy!! What's next to brew for you mate?

[5thelement]

I've not sampled any yet lol im determined to leave them atleast a couple weeks before sampling one lol it is bloody difficult though!

I guess it's about time i moved them somewhere slightly cooler now aswell, so that'll be the next task.

As for future brews i started a Youngs "chardonnay style" wine kit yesterday, but beer wise the next brew will be a Geordie Mild which im really looking forward to!

Im considering a keg aswell, as i'd really like the Mild to be in glass bottles but unless i find a ton of bottles (and get over the thought of washing/sterilising them all!) it's unlikely, so a keg is looking very attractive! but with that comes with the need to have an extra fridge to chill it and so on.

[Aes9471]

As somebody wading their way through everyone else's efforts before making a start for themself , that looks fantastic and has definately gone a long way to me starting my own 'cheap' kit, I hope the results come out the same!! '=D>'

[5thelement]

Thanks for the reply, im glad you found the thread of use! good luck with your first brew, im sure it'll go fine.

[Duncndisorderly]

just too echo the sentiments above, as a relative newbie i've found this thread to be really helpful.
I also have a Geordie Scot, Yorkshire Bitter and a Mild kits currently waiting to be brewed up and i think you may have helped me decide which one am gonna do thirst, sorry first

[5thelement]

Well, it's 2 weeks today since bottling so i thought i'd crack open one of the 500ml glass bottles for a quality control sample!

Opening the bottle i was greeted with a nice hissing sound, just what i wanted to hear!

Poured it out leaving a little in the bottle with the sediment and heres how it looks



It's cleared really nicely and looks great. Onto tasting it, i was pleasantly surprised, i wont lie and say it's the best pint i've ever tasted but it's certaintly acceptable! at first it tasted a little watery, but after a couple mouthfuls i could taste the flavour coming through alot more and it leaves a nice aftertaste, quite a refreshing pint! carbonation is spot on for my liking aswell, there wasn't a big head after pouring but what was there stayed until the end. Overall im really pleased, it's definitely exceeded my expectations of a cheap budget kit. I'll try leave the rest for the remaining few weeks to see if it improves more!

Cheers!

[Bionicmunky]

Nice one

[5thelement]

Thanks

[Duncndisorderly]

Looking good, just resist for a few more weeks then, if you can

[5thelement]

I'll try my best!

[5thelement]

This will be the final update here.

It's just over 4 weeks since bottling and i've managed to resist it all bar a couple bottles!

Sampling another tonight and the taste has definately improved alot, has alot more body and stronger flavour, im really pleased with the results and i'd definately brew it again!

So overall, i'd definately recommend this kit, you can't beat it for value for money!

[BlackBag]

Probably a bit late to chuck my oar in now, but had to say, great posting 5th.
I started doing beer again about 2 months back and started with the same Geordie Scottish Export. It was because of the huge amount of time it was taking that I ended up finding this forum board. I then discovered the immortal 2 words "sticky ferment". Mine took over 3 weeks in the end. Still, it's all bottled up now and conditioning nicely.