Raising a glass and taking a bow......

[snudz]

....bugga, I spilled it!!

Hi guys,

Just thought I'd say hello. My name's Andy and I'm yet another wayward apostle returning to the fold. It's been nearly 20 years since I last brewed a kit (one of Muntons 1.8kg stouts if I remember) and all my old kit is long gone.
My first brew of this new era is based on the Conkerwood kit. I put it together as per instructions, adding 500g of dark DME and substituting the yeast for a packet of S-04(?) that I sprinkled on top. The initial SG was 1052 and the FV started bubbling merrily overnight. Eight days later the SG was 1017 and I barrelled it (premature?). I'm hoping that I'll be able to leave it until Christmas but the taste test conducted last night (delicious ) suggests otherwise.
Anyway, I fancy something lighter to drink more immediately so I've bought a Great Eastern kit. I'll probably add 500g of light DME and I'm gonna dry hop it with some Fuggles. I'm a big fan of Summer Lightning and Archers Golden so would it be worth boiling a couple of ounces in the wort to bring the bitterness up?

Enough for now

Andy

[Guest]

Hello there squire, glad too see your back at it! I'm sure somebody in the kit forum would be able to assist you with the hopping of your kit.

[Jim]

Welcome, Andy.

I'll move this to the kit brewing questions forum - you're much more likely to get a response there.

[snudz]

Thanks Jim (and Guest )

I was just wondering what would be the best way to tweek the Great Eastern kit to give it the hoppiness of a Summer Lightning. I have some Fuggles but from what I've read they're great for dry hopping but not so great in the bitterness stakes. Any advice on varieties and quantities would be gratefully received. Oh, and is my planned addition of the 500g of light spraymalt gonna do anything to improve the beer or is this just a hangup from my student brewing days?

Cheers

Andy

[Shoit]

....bugga, I spilled it!!

Hi guys,

Just thought I'd say hello. My name's Andy and I'm yet another wayward apostle returning to the fold. It's been nearly 20 years since I last brewed a kit (one of Muntons 1.8kg stouts if I remember) and all my old kit is long gone.
My first brew of this new era is based on the Conkerwood kit. I put it together as per instructions, adding 500g of dark DME and substituting the yeast for a packet of S-04(?)

Hi there,

Did you add the Dark DME in addition to the two tins provided with the kit? Do you feel it improved the taste?

Kev

[snudz]

Hi Kev,

I added the dark DME in addition to the cans. It's the first time that I've used this kit so I can't compare it to an unsullied kit. However, bearing in mind that it's only been conditioning for two weeks now, the samples that I've taken have been most pleasing. Clear, very dark, well rounded with a nice bitter aftertaste. I'm hoping to store it for Christmas but I suspect that it's days may be numbered any time after September ends.
I've read that adding malt should increase the "body" of an ale as well as the ABV so I don't suppose that it did much harm to what seems to be an "old" ale kit.

Andy