Woodforde's - worth it?

[AlexCricket]

Having brewed a so far a Colne Valley and a Ditch's Stout I am feeling in the mood for the following:-

A) a light summer ale with crispness but not too bitter but even possibly a good IPA. My preference would be an Abbot Ale type.

B) a larger for the summer bbq's but one with enough flavour to satisfy my real ale palate.

I have been looking around and the choices are not particularly varied. I think I might go with another Coopers kit for the larger - any recomendations - for the reliability.

In terms of the Ale the Great Eastern looks nice but here's the big question.

ARE WOODFORDE'S KITS WORTH THE RISK?

[martyn142]

Hi there - what risk are you referring to? I've brewed several Woodforde's kits with no problem.

[AlexCricket]

I am referring to the infamous 'Stuck' ferment.

[martyn142]

Ah OK.

Well FWIW I'ev made both Woodforde's and Munton's, both of which have a reputation for sticking , and have had no problems. They have seldom got anywhere near the FG mentioned on the packs but what beer does? And they are blydy gorgeous.

[Popey]

what do you want to make "larger"?

[mat69]

yes popey it annoys me too,lager not larger..

[brysie]

gotta agree with martyn here.
ive done 5 wherrys now and apart from one being slow to clear theyve been fine.
and kit largerrrr is never going to be brilliant, however........
i tasted a coopers european today at my local homebrew and [after 5 weeks in the barrel so way short of the 12 the kit recommends] it was far and away the best kit lager ive tasted.
im just putting one on myself now.

[Popey]

the kits i've done, both Norfolk Nog, are excellent. no complaints

[KevP]

Ah OK.

Well FWIW I'ev made both Woodforde's and Munton's,

Erm same company I'm afraid, and why is it that everyone that manages to get a Muntons kit below 1020 (trusting their measurements) seems to think we are all imagining the problem and seem incapable of brewing a pint?

[mattfuzzy]

done a few woodfordes kits, wherry ended up around 1.015 if i remember correctly, was amazing after 2 - 3 months.
will be doing more from woodfordes in future too.

think if you get any 2 can kit below 1.020 its classed as a good thing, looking to try more from coopers while my admirals reserves on the go

hell my mexican cerveza has been in secondary (with tap) clearing and conditioning 2-3rd week now and its half empty!
had some the other night and taste certainly changed alot (for the better) since the sampling a few nights previous.

[JayBee]

I`ve just cracked open a bottle of Linthwaite Light, my first 2 can kit which is pretty good. Its a Brupaks kit so made by Muntons too and I was a bit concerned at first.
I added 200 grams of light DME/brew sugar mixture as I like my beers a little stronger and I also boiled up 12 grams of fuggles as well as the hop bag supplied and I`m well pleased with the result. It started at 1048 and I bottled it at 1012 which is pretty much an average FG for me.
It might be a waste of good yeast but if I`m adding more fermentables than the suggested with the instructions I pitch an extra half pack. This kit had one and a half packs of S-04 which shouldnt do any harm. I might try another Brupak kit next or go for the Muntons Gt Eastern with the same extras and see what happens.

[brewin_bear]

I've done 5 Muntons / Woodforde's kits before going to extract brewing and all made it to 1.012 or 1.014. However all of them took well over a week to reach this FG with one of them (Docklands Porter) having 'stuck at 1.020 for 5 days before dropping the last point to end at 1.014 after 2 and half weeks in the FV. In each case (except one where I used SO4) I have used kit yeast but have always added yeast vit and rehydrated the yeast before pitching. All have been excellent drinks so far with the Porter and Admiral's reserve still conditioning; early tastes are very promising.

[batemans fan]

I've done a few Woodforde's and have had some good beer from them, but I've also had quite a few stick. I've tried various 'solutions' suggested in this forum and have given them plenty of time to come down to a reasonable FG. The only solution that has worked for me is the addition of DBE - and when you've taken that route, imho, it's not really a Woodforde's that you're brewing. I've given up on Munton's two can kits and have done a couple of Brewer's Choice using half spray malt, half brewer's sugar - and I'm a lot happier It was getting a bit disheartening to have to fiddle with so many brews and not getting the product that I was expecting and had paid for.

There are plenty of posts/threads in this forum about the 'Munton's Stick' and plenty of posters who recommend using a different kit.

So I reckon it's not worth the risk.

[martyn142]

Ah OK.

Well FWIW I'ev made both Woodforde's and Munton's,

Erm same company I'm afraid, and why is it that everyone that manages to get a Muntons kit below 1020 (trusting their measurements) seems to think we are all imagining the problem and seem incapable of brewing a pint?

Where did I say or even infer that you are imagining the problem??? I was giving my experience which has been positive. Is that allowed?