Festival Beer Kits - New

[Spooneys regular]

Well bottled the batch last Friday. Going off their instructions 2 weeks in the brew fridge then 3 in the cold. It's been a week and I popped a bottle tonight, going off what I had tonight, what's to come once its cleared is gonna be some bloody good beer. Big thumbs up to this kit. Just ordered the Suffolk strong and father hooks. Hoping their as good as this pilgrims hope

[jimmybobbird]

Just put the father hooks on this evening.

Will put the hops in after 5 day and see how I go - smell is fabulous.

Hope it does not taste like Wards though - I lived in Sheffield in the late 80s and could not stand the stuff - mind you passing the brewery every other Monday afternoon with the mashing smell emanating was something else.

Reminds me of a story I was told in Dublin a few years back. In the 1800's alcoholism was considered a mental illness so all the afflicted got tossed into the sanatarioum which was next door to St James' Gate. Poor sods went bonkers every time Guinness stuck a brew on. Mind you, they were in the right place to flip.

Back to the thread - will be bottling in a couple of weeks time as I do not have a barrel. assume a half level teaspoon per 500ml is the right way to go? Normally put in a bit more than that but will be led by consensus.

[Spooneys regular]

I just batched primed as per their instructions. Far easier than the tea spoon/bottle method. 80g of priming sugar into the bottling bucket will see you right

[Greatcthulhu]

Wow- this thread is starting to sound like a new cult. Clearly I've been sucked in because I've just ordered an 'Old Suffolk Strong Ale' and a 'Father Hooks'.

[hopeful_homebrewer]

Wow, wow,wow. I just moved my keg of Father Hooks into the garage for conditioning after priming for 2 weeks in the house. Obviously a little cloudy, but amazing taste and mouth feel. The best kit I've ever brewed by far. (Not that I'm that much of an expert). A big thumbs up to Ritchies for what they've done with these kits, I'll be ordering more when I've used up the Wherry from Wilko's. It really is not that far behind a pub pint.

[Flea]

I think my next purchase has been decided!

[jimmybobbird]

Bunged the hops in the muslin bag on Friday and tossed it in. If I like a little bit of Hoppy taste but not too much should I take it out early? Was thinking 3 - 4days. Will it make too much difference or not?

On a minor point for other kit tinkering, should I put a large amout of hops in for a short time or a small amount of hops for a long time?

[Greatcthulhu]

Just got the Suffolk Strong Ale kit and have a couple of questions for anyone who may have made this kit. It's a 3kg kit that comes with 1kg of brewing sugar to up the strength- should I
A) Make the kit as is, with the included sugar
B) Ditch the sugar and use something like 1kg of DME, brown sugar or some combination of the two
C) Any other suggestions

Cheers

[MartinC]

....The best kit I've ever brewed by far....

I haven't tried this one myself yet but one of the customers in the shop I work in said exactly the same and he brews a LOT of kits.
Happy drinking.
Martin

[MartinC]

Just got the Suffolk Strong Ale kit and have a couple of questions for anyone who may have made this kit. It's a 3kg kit that comes with 1kg of brewing sugar to up the strength- should I
A) Make the kit as is, with the included sugar
B) Ditch the sugar and use something like 1kg of DME, brown sugar or some combination of the two
C) Any other suggestions

Cheers

Make the kit as per instructions, otherwise you could ruin it.
Martin

[parkerwitton]

Just got the Suffolk Strong Ale kit and have a couple of questions for anyone who may have made this kit. It's a 3kg kit that comes with 1kg of brewing sugar to up the strength- should I
A) Make the kit as is, with the included sugar
B) Ditch the sugar and use something like 1kg of DME, brown sugar or some combination of the two
C) Any other suggestions

Cheers

Your kit your money but why not make the kit how it is meant to be. The rave reviews these kits are getting use the old adage leave well alone. If you think it can be improved on after the first brew then you can give it a go. Another old adage if it ain't broke don't fix it.
But like I said in the first instance it is your hard earned money you have spent. Any way good luck!!

[Drayman]

these kits are great but the festive landlord bitter is on the sweet side and keep it out of the cold gentlemen it does not like the cold it will get a chill haze i have just finished of a 4.5 gallon of this and it was okay i don't think it is in the same league as Stpeters ruby red ale its not in the premier league well my choice

[Greatcthulhu]

Just got the Suffolk Strong Ale kit and have a couple of questions for anyone who may have made this kit. It's a 3kg kit that comes with 1kg of brewing sugar to up the strength- should I
A) Make the kit as is, with the included sugar
B) Ditch the sugar and use something like 1kg of DME, brown sugar or some combination of the two
C) Any other suggestions

Cheers

Your kit your money but why not make the kit how it is meant to be. The rave reviews these kits are getting use the old adage leave well alone. If you think it can be improved on after the first brew then you can give it a go. Another old adage if it ain't broke don't fix it.
But like I said in the first instance it is your hard earned money you have spent. Any way good luck!!

OK cheers, I'll brew as per instructions and see how it goes.

[parkerwitton]

Tried a pint of Golden Stag after only three weeks in the bottle. It was really lovely... citrus taste with a hint of grapefruit.If this is the standard of Festival kits they will take the market place by storm. in my opinion one of the best kits I have ever made.

[Flea]

Set a London Porter off yesterday, smelt good enough to drink before the yeast went in.

Seems a little slow to start, the lock isn't bubbling though there is a thin krausen and it is bubbling through it.

Looking forward to this one.