Latest Kit Reviews

[KevP]

Hi gents and gentesses,

I wondered if it might be time to hear what everyones favourite kits and kit manufacturers are at the moment, I know we go iver this subject a bit but if we had everyones views all in one place every couple of months or so we could see how our tastes are changing and how the kits are performing.

Just a suggestion as its a common question, if its deemed unnecessary then please remove.

Kev

[randomdave]

After 2 recent successful Lager brews I have to say John Bull is a good kit. Sadly it never made it to full maturity as I polished the lot off within about 2-3wk of bottling.

[brysie]

well im a lager man myself [krony/ lowenbrau] and im a little disappointed with the lagers ive done up to now..
but id have to say that the wherry has been the best kit ive done so far.
theres an edme german lager and a youngs brewbuddy conditioning down the cellar though so its still early days.

[KevP]

Myself, I found my Coopers Dark Ale to be the best so far, on pouring the action in the glass is very reminiscent of Caffrey's, and it holds a head very well if not too chilled, and holds a lovely warm malty taste all through.

[martyn142]

Munton's Gold Smugglers. Gorgeous.

[emyrjones88]

Coopers brewmaster ipa is the best kit I have done so far.

[JayBee]

Another thumbs up for the Coopers IPA. I made 3 last year and they were all very good.

[mdex]

Muntons Continental Pilsner (2can) was a great drink. Will be making that again I reckon.

[BetterThanTheRealThing]

My top three so far have been:

Brupak's Colne Valley Bitter
York Brewery 'Stone Wall Bitter'
Milestones 'Olde Home Wrecker'

The Brupak's CVB and the Stone Wall are now going to be my standard kits as they have both turned out fantastic in the past. The Olde Home Wrecker has just about been finished but I will definately do another one. My intention is to always have some CVB on the go. Brupak's really do make great kits. Last time I went in my LHBS they did not have any in which is why I had to make do with a Scammonden Dark. That should be ready to drink shortly and I suspect it will also be very tasty.

[KevP]

Any idea if York Brewery kits are still Muntons? I have emailed them, awaiting a reply. I am desperate to find more suppliers that are not Muntons tainted.


Edit, I have my reply, disturbing reading;

Hi,
Unfortunately our kits are produced by muntons. They comprise of a tin of
LME and a bag of spraymalt. We don't really have anything to do with the
kits, the distributor just uses our name and we are meant to receive a
royalty payment although thats not happened in a while!
Cheers

Andrew Whalley

[drmick]

another vote for Coopers Dark Ale, went through about a third of a keg last weekend and in my opinion its better than the Coopers stout . Also the Coopers Brewmaster IPA, just started drinking mine and its rather lovely

[THE EMBALMER]

1st kit i have buggered up a york brewery stone wall its in loft in the vane hope it matures into some thing drinkable but i reckon i have infected it with botched syphoning.

my coopers stout with medium spray malt on the other hand was the dogs you know whats. all gone now.
second lot of coopers stout kegged last night using coopers dark liquid malt looks black as a .....well black stuff that comes out of my cars engine after skipping a service or two.
will be tasting at the weekend when rugger is on.
coopers ipa up next light sme
coopers real ale with some hops steeped

will have to try the dark ale sounds like a nice pint.
to be honest i would be hard pushed to try any other make than coopers ,not heard a bad word to say about them
cheers glyn

[burgo]

I have only made one brew before this Coopers Stout, however, I must mention it, May and Brett's Blue Boar Brown Ale, mine came out really nice and it was drinking my cousin's that ignited by interest in brewing at home so it can't be half bad. In an attempt to get an honest opinion from my mates I passed it off as a commercial brew, it was received very well indeed.

It is based on the now defunct Old Dunmow Brewery's old recipe. Not sure who put it together but it is a 1.8Kg kit and i'm not sure if it is Muntons (I doubt it because I have only seen it direct from May and Bretts). They make 6 or more other kits, may be worth a try for anyone that fancies a bit of a change from the norm. I am not related or on commision just in case you wonder

[Dill]

Myself, I found my Coopers Dark Ale to be the best so far

I must echo Kev’s opinion about the Coopers Dark Ale; Donn't get me wrong I loved the Coopers Real Ale, Coopers Draught, Coopers Bitter and the Coopers Stout, but I must admit I find the Dark Ale to be the better drink so far.
Sorry Ditch but the Dark Ale in my opinion (for what its worth) is superior to the Coopers Stout.

[WishboneBrewery]

it sounds like a Dark Ale might be required