" Ditch's Stout " Master Class .....

[Ditch]

Beard; That must truly be an experience. To be able to sit there and taste the two, side by side, like that!

If I bottled, no doubt, I'd have done it long ago. As it is? I've transitioned between the two, on the odd 'Needs Must' basis. Never really managed a direct one for the other session though, somehow. Chocolate, Liquorice, Coffee, what ever though; In the taste tests I have carried out between the two? I just found the 'Irish' disappointingly 'Lacking'. It just didn't have 'It'.

[hong]

I know you said that you dont mess around with hydrometers Ditch, but any idea how strong this brew is?

[Ditch]

I know you said that you dont mess around with hydrometers Ditch, but any idea how strong this brew is?

Strong enough, Hong, my man, that I don't feel quite up to handling such a 'complex' question, right now

[Paddy Bubbles]

Howya Ditch. Planning on doing a bucket of your stout this weekend. Any last minute words of advice or encouragement??

[Ditch]

Paddy; At this precise moment? My advice would be to try and drink it from somewhere more approximating 'room' temperature than a deep freezer.

It definitely tastes better when it's not numbing ye tongue

[Paddy Bubbles]

Bit nippy in the Pale today too. I'll stick the heating on so.......

Do you think the "mug of organic cane sugar" makes much of a difference to the stout?

[Goulders]

I too have just received my Coopers original stout and Muntons medium spraymalt in the post, and am planning to brew Ditch's stout at the weekend.

Bit concerned about the spew and the missus reaction

I'll put the FV in a bin bag as I ferment by the radiator to catch what I can, but was wondering if it is OK to make up to 16l and once the spew dies down a bit, top up to 23l?

After a successful Norfolk Wherry (second H/B ever after 6 year gap) I've been looking forward to doing this one!

[Paddy Bubbles]

Bit concerned about that myself!

[hong]

I too have just received my Coopers original stout and Muntons medium spraymalt in the post, and am planning to brew Ditch's stout at the weekend.

Bit concerned about the spew and the missus reaction

I'll put the FV in a bin bag as I ferment by the radiator to catch what I can, but was wondering if it is OK to make up to 16l and once the spew dies down a bit, top up to 23l?

After a successful Norfolk Wherry (second H/B ever after 6 year gap) I've been looking forward to doing this one!

Exactly what i was thinking Goulders!

[Ditch]

I make 20 Ltrs in a standard FV. Believe me guys; Nothing can save ye from when she blows!

Naah, seriously? If put the FV in a black bin bag, only supported the bags lip with a few wall bricks, or what ever? I'm quite sure that would contain the horror

Remember; Most of this is just foam. It's pretty much all bubbles and very little real substance. Though, saying that? With me doing Three at a time? I have had it actually form together enough to cause a run I had to mop up.

Bin bag with its lip raised a couple of inches though? Ye'll be OK. Tell the wife I said so

[Beard]

Beard; That must truly be an experience. To be able to sit there and taste the two, side by side, like that!

If I bottled, no doubt, I'd have done it long ago. As it is? I've transitioned between the two, on the odd 'Needs Must' basis. Never really managed a direct one for the other session though, somehow. Chocolate, Liquorice, Coffee, what ever though; In the taste tests I have carried out between the two? I just found the 'Irish' disappointingly 'Lacking'. It just didn't have 'It'.

I always bottle, and I try (and frequently fail!) to keep 6 bottles from every brew for at least 6-8 months way at the back of a cupboard somewhere, neatly labelled with the contents and date. This is why I had the chance to test both varieties of stout side by side, although it was bitter sweet as I concluded that I preferred the Coopers Stout version only as I drank the very last bottle

[Ditch]

I concluded that I preferred the Coopers Stout version only as I drank the very last bottle

(Signature says: " Fermenting ~ Nothing")

Get to it!

[Beard]

I concluded that I preferred the Coopers Stout version only as I drank the very last bottle

(Signature says: " Fermenting ~ Nothing")

Get to it!

Quite right, Saturday I'll be heading down to the LHBS!

I have 2 FV's and I'm thinking of using both, simultaneously, for different brews. A classic Ditch's Stout (with a few tweaks ) in one, and a porter in the other (hence my 'Porter' thread in Kit Brewing). I rarely bother with a secondary FV, so I might soon be in the fortunate position of having two lovely batches mature at roughly the same time time

[Ditch]

I rarely bother with a secondary FV, so I might soon be in the fortunate position of having two lovely batches mature at roughly the same time time

" Secondary " ? What's that? Smacks of, 'Second'. As in, ' Came second '. 'Second Class'.

No. Never in my life taken beer from my FV and put it into anything but a keg, mate. And, from there? Drunk it.

Do what ye like with who / what ever's Porter. But, to subject 'my' gear to anything but what I've discussed above? Can't see the point, personally

Do it anyway, then call it " Ditch's Stout " ? Ever more live in fear of my turning up in the wee small hours and farting on ye closed eye!

And, at my stage in life? A fart can be a Very risky thing ..... Think; " Not a dry eye ....."

[Beard]

For the avoidance of doubt, I've never used a secondary with a dark ale, stout or porter. It only seems worthwhile with bitters and pale ale to me, to help it clear before bottling.

Certainly wouldn't want to offend the Lord of Stouts with my tinkering!