Christmas Brew

[Big Al]

I know it is very early still but i am contemplating doing a Christmassy brew, especially for the festive period. I will be picking a kit
for to do this. I have seen a Christmasy packaged brew in my Local Brewing Shop, but does anyone else have any suggestions??

Planning on doing this brew around the July period, to make sure it has conditioned long enough in my plastic keg.

[johcharly]

I was also thinking about starting off a Seasonal brew, I noticed some were smaller volume kits, does this generally mean a stronger brew?

[Big Al]

I might have to start keeping an eye out a littler earlier, not sure if they are stronger brews though. Hopefully someone else will know a little better.

[Mike the pint supper]

Take for example if a 40pt kit is reduced to 30 pints made up it will have a greater alc% than if it was made up to the 40 pints.this us due to the concentration of sugar to water which will make the hydrometer sit higher in the unfrmented wort. Basically more sugar per pint = a greater abv%

[jonnyhop]

I have recently been reading CAMAR’s IPA book and from what I can glean, original IPA’s used higher alcohol and hop rates to preserve beer, as it had to survive the 6 month wait between brewer and consumer, resulting in ale so popular it changed drinking habits. Applying this logic to your Christmas brew I would buy your favourite kit, add less water and buy some hops to steep in the can in boiling water for 15 mins to add to your brew. You really can’t go wrong with goldings, 30g or so should do it. Just a thought…………..

[Bromley Brewery]

I like the early planning !!

(Failing to plan is planning to fail)

I *loved* the Brewferm Abbey and also their Christmas Ale which I did for 2008 - trouble was I only did them (bottled) in Oct / Nov and even then most had gone by Christmas.

Cheers

[Big Al]

I *loved* the Brewferm Abbey and also their Christmas Ale which I did for 2008 - trouble was I only did them (bottled) in Oct / Nov and even then most had gone by Christmas.

I'll try one of theirs then me thinks. I doubt I'll drink mine though, as I'll make sure I have enough of a stash on the side. Might be tempted by the odd glass for quality control purposes mind

[johcharly]

will ask at my local homebrew shop about brewfern kits cheers. Thinking of bottling it now , otherwise it will tie up a keg for 6 months.