Brewers Choice Extra Special Bitter

[Stringy Bob]

I made this kit up on Sunday (inspired by the sticky at the top of the page) and I must say if it tastes half as good as it smells then

a) It will be bloody fantastic

b) My move to AG will be a lot sooner than planned

Very easy kit to make (except I forgot to add the spray malt before i topped up the FV with cold water, so it took a bit of graft to get it mixed in - hopefully no harm done).

Finished off with a OG of 1054 and by Tuesday it was down to 1020, so looking to be proper belter.

[Jim]

Re b) - go for it!

Best to get a few kits under your belt first, IMO. That way you hone your fermentation-management skills before committing an AG brew to them.

[maxashton]

That sounds like smething to get a degree in.BSc in Fermentation Management.

[Stringy Bob]

Transferred this to the corni last night and had a little sample taste. I must admit I was a bit disappointed - it had a particularly "fruity" taste, with no real hint of bitterness. I have read that fruit flavours can develop if it ferments at higher temperatures, but it has been at a fairly steady 20 degrees max (dropping at night a bit). The FG was down to 1008.

Am I being paranoid and will it likely improve as it matures or do you think it would benefit from dry hopping (can I de-pressurize the corni and add hops now or is it too late?)

So many questions....

cheers

[Jim]

Transferred this to the corni last night and had a little sample taste. I must admit I was a bit disappointed - it had a particularly "fruity" taste, with no real hint of bitterness. I have read that fruit flavours can develop if it ferments at higher temperatures, but it has been at a fairly steady 20 degrees max (dropping at night a bit). The FG was down to 1008.

Am I being paranoid and will it likely improve as it matures or do you think it would benefit from dry hopping (can I de-pressurize the corni and add hops now or is it too late?)

So many questions....

cheers

Beer changes markedly when it matures - though bitterness generally decreases a bit. The only way to find out is to wait.

[sparky Paul]

I made the ESB last year, and to be honest it was okay - strongish, but not as good as I was expecting given the reputation of the Brupaks kits. It will improve as it matures, and it takes quite a while IIRC, perhaps a few months until it's at its best. The flavour will change with age, and the first time I make a kit I like to make it without additions, that way you have a benchmark. If you really want to try adding hops, you could make a hop tea up with a cafetiere and add that, or try the dry hopping method...

If I had to make it again, I would probably add more hops, but then I add hops to everything... Personally, I prefer the boiling/steeping method to dry hopping, especially if you are looking for a more balanced bitterness, hop flavour and aroma. Dry hopping gives a distinctive taste and aroma to beers which many like, but can be a bit 'grassy' if overdone. It's all down to personal preference really.

[Damfoose]

I have this one in a keg at the moment almost been in it a week, Had a small taste last night its cloudy but clearing and it has a very fruity taste to it which I have also found disapointing even though I used an ale flava pack to give it a little more oomph in the flavour department.

Time will tell with this one .... on a plus note wife has pretty much given me the go ahead for a full AG brewery so im looking and pricing up at the moment, Mashtun is pretty easy to make so i may make that myself the same for the wort chiller. Just need to either get a plumber in to fit me an outside tap or get a converter to fit over the kitchens square mixer tap.