Lager Kits

[Mogwyth]

Not being a lager drinker, I wouldn't know a reasonable lager if it bit me on the rear end, but I want to make to brew some for the the summer when we usually do a lot bbqs, so what would any one recommend.

Cheers

Bill

[shandypants5]

I have made both Coopers mexican, and Coopers European lager.

They are both winners for BBQ drinking, and the European made with hopped light spraymalt is as close to a Stella type beer that I think you could expect from a kit.

I added extra brewers sugar and made a smaller quantity to get the strength up to just over 5%.
It was extremely popular with my buddies and the greedy buggers drank it all .

This time I am making a double batch and hiding some away.

[Mogwyth]

Cheers.

[brysie]

sadly, i havnt been impressed with any of the cheap lager kits ive done so far.

dont get me wrong...there not bad...there just not good.
home brew, especially from kits, seems in my limited experience to be better at ales/bitters than lagers.

my next step is to try and get one to ferment with proper lager yeast in a modified refrigerated cabinet along the lines of jims fantastic creation.
and `lager` it properly to give it a fighting chance.

[mat69]

i agree with shandypants on the european lager,it comes with lager yeast and brewed at the right temp and left long enough at the right temp[its a tricky brew lager]its one of the best mate

[Mogwyth]

Cheers Guys.

[worts n ale]

hi mogwyth

i to would have to agree about the coopers european lager i made mine with 1 kilo light dsm and a saaz hop bag tastes really good, good enough that SWMBO keeps nipping off for a glass. deffo worth a go do one now and stash it till summer.

[Mogwyth]

Looks like coopers then

I'll have to get one ordered.

Cheers

Bill

[verno]

I have made a coopers pilsner and a coopers lager, both were reasonable (7 out of 10). On saturday I kicked off a european lager with 30g SAAZ pellets (seeped for 20 mins), 500g light malt extract and 500g brew sugar and 200g honey. I also only made it to 20L to try to add some ABV punch. Unfortunately I don't have the equipment to "lager" it but I will keep everyone updated.

[brysie]

i picked up a muntons gold continental pilsener kit at the weekend [cos they ran out of dsm].

never done a 2 can lager kit before but the bloke recommended it highly. any one tried this one?

[mat69]

I have made a coopers pilsner and a coopers lager, both were reasonable (7 out of 10). On saturday I kicked off a european lager with 30g SAAZ pellets (seeped for 20 mins), 500g light malt extract and 500g brew sugar and 200g honey. I also only made it to 20L to try to add some ABV punch. Unfortunately I don't have the equipment to "lager" it but I will keep everyone updated.

verno in my experience you dont need any special equipment to lager not in this weather;all i do is stick it in the shed for about 4 weeks and its ok;ive only been brewing 5 months and its been cold but come the summer i think we will need that equipment mate' keep us updated am intrested in the adition of honey and the saaz

[mat69]

thats a bit trippy brysie.gettin me sel the same kit ;fancy doing two can kit[gettin it sat] tha bloke[john]at the hop n grape said once ya do two can you wont go back,will be interested how much better it is .

[scottish69]

I did the muntons kit - its a bit dark in colour i reckon, flavour is good if a little "tasteless" compared to a bought pilsner (urquell for example).

Ive got a brupaks brewers choice "czech pilsner" dry malt kit in at the moment so i'll post back when thats matured enough to taste.

[boingy]

Just finished off a cornie of a modified el cheapo lager kit.

1 can youngs lager kit £6.99 from wilko
Used 1 kg Tesco budget golden syrup in place of the sugar.
Make a hop tea with an ounce of lager hops (Hallertauer or Saaz) and add that.
Use a lager yeast like Saflager S23.
Ferment as normal for a week then rack into airlocked secondary and leave for 4 week in the garage.

The lager was superb. Could have used a bit more hop aroma but was crystal clear and delicious.

I'm currently repeating the experiment but using the crappy yeast that came with the kit.

[brysie]

thanks for replies lads, keep me posted of your results

and boingy? i was all set to try your cheapo kit/syrup idea but read elsewhere that it was a bit naff.
im not convinced now, as you recommend it so highly so can i ask you what you would buy if you were buying a few bottles down the spar on a friday night?

see if you buy carling black label i might not waste the kit, but if you were buying peroni/krony then id have to consider that you were a man after me own taste.