Hello from Wilkinson

[Steve@Wilkos]

Hi Steve,

Firstly - thanks for taking the time to come on here and get some 'real world' feedback from your existing (and potential) customers.

My local store is Gillingham High Street, and they appear to have a pretty full range, although as it spread around a corner I can't really tell exactly which one.
The recent increase in stocked options is greatly appreciated, as is the highly competitive pricing regime.
Personally I would appreciate a choice of dried yeasts, as they take up very little space, and perhaps some other 'branded' kits. I did notice the Brewmakers Best of British Kits have just arrived, so that is an appreciated option.
Would you consider stocking wide neck pressure barrels, e.g. King Keg? I am reluctant to buy the 2" neck PB's due to cleaning difficulties, even at the absolute bargin price of £8.50.
I would also have purchased the dark spray malt had it been available (am I the second or third to mention this so far...), but did purchase the medium.

I will be making the one can 'Wilkos' Sweet Newkie Brown kit, with 1Kg Medium Spraymalt and the Gervin yeast shortly, which I will document in a separate posting on the forum, so feedback on the quality will be forthcoming in the next couple of months

Thanks Again
P

Thanks for the feedback Paddy. We will be meeting with our suppliers again soon, so I will feed in your suggestions.

Cheers
Steve

[Steve@Wilkos]

I was told a long time back to avoid using soap/detergent for cleaning brewing kit as it can lead to problems with head retention,no idea how true it is.

Having said that I only use thin supermarket bleach

Avalible from wilkinsons,29p for 2 liters

[Steve@Wilkos]

Hi Boingy
Yes I have a list but it is on excel and not sure what is the best way to get that info on here. Any tips?

Cheers
Steve

I've PM'd you, Steve

I have been speaking to our web team and they are looking to publish the list on our website, so watch this space

Cheers
Steve

[Steve@Wilkos]

Hi Steve, thought i'd share this that i posted on the Kit brewing section of the forum;



'Thought i'd give an update on the wilkos sweet newkie brown - its been in the bottle 3 weeks at this stage and its good! - its very dark and has a distinct sweetness to it, but its smooth and clean tasting, good white head, very quaffable! i would defo stick to using a nottingham yeast with it, like i say its very clean tasting and i can't help thinking if i'd used the kit yeast it wouldn't have this quality. Critsisms - its slighty too sweet, and though i'm no expert would say it would work really well with a hop addition that could give it some more bitterness / aroma - any suggestions? also if i did this again i'd chuck another jar of malt extract in and up the dextrose, i like a kick with brown ale!'

I am also just sampling the wilkos lager i have done (kit yeast , 500g light dme 500g dextrose to 20l), its only had 10 days in the bottle but i have to say i'm not holding out much hope for this kit - its pretty grim at this stage, thin, sweet, pretty tasteless. Sure it would be better with a lager yeast and more time. I'm not hard to please though to be honest, i usually just do standard kits with little tweeking, but can't see myself revisiting this unless it dramatically improves with a bit of conditioning.


Also Steve - why not get this thread moved to the kit brewing section - you will get much more feedback as very few people view the guestbook (i presume) , and kit brewers are your biggest customers. .

Great feedback and thank you very much. I will take it back to the team.
Cheers
Steve

[Steve@Wilkos]

Hi Boingy
Yes I have a list but it is on excel and not sure what is the best way to get that info on here. Any tips?

Cheers
Steve

I've PM'd you, Steve

I have been speaking to our web team and they are looking to publish the list on our website, so watch this space

Cheers
Steve

Stores with the fulll 3 metre range are...
ECCLES (NEW)
COALVILLE
ARMLEY
BURY
ALDERSHOT
HARPURHEY
BARRY
SLOUGH
FAREHAM
STOCKTON
MANSFIELD
WEST EALING
WORKINGTON
ROCHDALE
BRADFORD
LEEK
LONGTON
HUYTON
BOURNEMOUTH
ROMFORD
DEWSBURY
LANCASTER
LEE CIRCLE
BULL RING
HITCHIN
WAKEFIELD
RUGBY
WELLINGTON
KETTERING
HARLOW
DUNSTABLE
HINCKLEY
SOUTHEND
BEDFORD
KIDDERMINSTER
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
DARLINGTON
BIRKENHEAD
ST HELENS
WELLINGBORO
SUNDERLAND
COLCHESTER
BISHOP STORTFORD
WIDNES
CORBY (RELOC)
GLOUCESTER
GRAVESEND
MORLEY
GRAYS
SOUTH SHIELDS
SPALDING
MAIDSTONE
SELBY NEW
ST. ALBANS
SUTTON-IN-SURREY
HORSHAM
IPSWICH
BRIDGWATER
YEOVIL
WORTHING
TROWBRIDGE
CRYSTAL PEAKS
CREWE
ANDOVER
WALLASEY
ARNOLD
EPSOM
BOSCOMBE
BURTON
MIDDLESBROUGH
SWINDON
BRIDGEND
WREXHAM
WEYMOUTH
LLANELLI
MERTHYR TYDFIL
CHIPPENHAM
HUNTINGDON
BASILDON
BLACKPOOL
BEXLEYHEATH
PORTSMOUTH
BARROW IN FURNESS
BRISTOL
BASINGSTOKE
HIGH WYCOMBE
HANLEY
LUTON
KILLINGWORTH
DAGENHAM
ASHFORD
SUTTON COLDFIELD
SCARBOROUGH
PETERLEE
PLYMOUTH
WEMBLEY
HAVERFORDWEST
WHITEHAVEN
HULL(NEW)
NEWPORT
ACCRINGTON
BEAUMONT LEYS
HESSLE ROAD HULL
BLETCHLEY
OSWESTRY (NEW)
SKELMERSDALE
NORTHFIELD
SALFORD
BOSTON
STROUD
ERITH
CWMBRAN
BULWELL (NEW)
RAINHAM
BRIGHOUSE
AMMANFORD
HOLYHEAD
DERBY NEW
LOUGHBOROUGH (NEW)
PETERBOROUGH
MORRISTON
RUNCORN
CARDIFF
CARMARTHEN
FOLKESTONE
CLIFTON MOOR
SEAHAM
TORQUAY
GILLINGHAM
PORTHMADOG
PERRY BARR
SITTINGBOURNE
HUCKNALL RELOCATION
REDRUTH
MOTHERWELL
LOWESTOFT
ILFORD
NORTHALLERTON
KINGS LYNN (RELO)
READING
HAMILTON
EXETER
MANCHESTER
AYR
BURY ST EDMUNDS
DURHAM
WOOLWICH
MILDENHALL
NEWTON ABBOT
NORWICH
YIEWSLEY
ALTRINCHAM
BROMLEY
WASHINGTON

[Steve@Wilkos]

Hi Boingy
Yes I have a list but it is on excel and not sure what is the best way to get that info on here. Any tips?

Cheers
Steve

I've PM'd you, Steve

I have been speaking to our web team and they are looking to publish the list on our website, so watch this space

Cheers
Steve

Stores with the 2 metre mid size range are........
SYSTON
GRIMSBY
PEMBROKE DOCK
UXBRIDGE
RETFORD
HUDDERSFIELD
NUNEATON
WATERLOOVILLE
FARNBOROUGH
REDDITCH
UTTOXETER
WINSFORD
MIDDLETON
BRENTWOOD
WEST BROMWICH
NOTTINGHAM
CLEVELEYS
DUDLEY
PONTYPOOL
HEADINGLEY
DEREHAM
CROSSGATES
LONG EATON
CHESTERFIELD
CHESTER
ROTHERHAM
ASHTON-U-LYNE
FRENCHGATE
BROADMARSH
BARNSLEY
SHREWSBURY
SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD
TAMWORTH
SHEFFIELD
HARTLEPOOL
STOURBRIDGE
WORKSOP
NORTH SHIELDS
NEWCASTLE-U-TYNE
WARRINGTON
GATESHEAD
CRAMLINGTON
COVENTRY
REDCAR
AYLESBURY
HOUNSLOW
BURGESS HILL
KINGSWOOD
CHELTENHAM
ABERGAVENNY
CHATHAM
HAYES
KINGSTON UPON THAMES
CHELMSFORD
HALIFAX
ILKESTON
SWANSEA
NEATH
PORT TALBOT
CARLISLE
WOOD GREEN
ELY
BLACKWOOD
ALFRETON
DARTFORD
BURNLEY
STRATFORD
PRESTON
NEWCASTLE-U-LYME
POOLE
WESTON-SUPER-MARE
LINCOLN
BELLEVALE
DROITWICH
COWLEY
WALTON ON THAMES
RAMSGATE
WALSALL
ACOCKS GREEN
JARROW
BEDMINSTER
WESTON FAVELL
SALE
NEWARK
BRANSHOLME
CANNON PARK
LIVERPOOL
BISHOP AUCKLAND
ELLESMERE PORT
COCKERMOUTH
DROYLSDEN
CHEPSTOW
LETCHWORTH
BLOXWICH
SHIRLEY
CLOWNE
CHELMSLEY WOOD NEW
RHYL
MARKET DRAYTON
WATFORD
BANBURY
HALESOWEN (NEW)
EARLESTOWN
GAINSBOROUGH NEW
PENGE
BROWNHILLS
FERNDOWN
BRIGG
WIGAN
THETFORD
NEWTON AYCLIFFE
CHESTER LE STREET
CASTLEFORD (RELO)
BLYTH
WIGSTON RELOC
LOUTH (RELO)
THORNABY
LEEDS-TRINITY
ST AUSTELL
IRVINE
REDHILL
WALTHAMSTOW
NEWBURY
KILMARNOCK
GREENOCK
LIVINGSTON
TELFORD
HARROW
CLIFTON-BRISTOL
BOLTON
BICESTER
CRAWLEY

[Steve@Wilkos]

Hi Boingy
Yes I have a list but it is on excel and not sure what is the best way to get that info on here. Any tips?

Cheers
Steve

I've PM'd you, Steve

I have been speaking to our web team and they are looking to publish the list on our website, so watch this space

Cheers
Steve

Stores with the small 1 metre range are....
DIDCOT
WINTON
ALLENTON
SHERWOOD
WOLVERHAMPTON
NORTHAMPTON
SOUTHPORT
ALLESTREE
BELPER
PONTEFRACT
HILLSBOROUGH
SHIPLEY
SKEGNESS
KNOWLE
STAFFORD
NELSON
LICHFIELD
BARKING
GREAT YARMOUTH
ABERDARE
LEIGH
ASHBY
ASHINGTON
CANTERBURY
CLIFTON
THAMESMEAD
HAVANT
ORPINGTON
MAESTEG
DRIFFIELD
BYKER
CARLTON (NEW)
TAUNTON
SCUNTHORPE
WOMBWELL
OAKHAM
RUSHDEN
BORDON
GREAT BRIDGE
BLACKHEATH
ORTON
GORLESTON
HYDE
WOODHOUSE LANE-LEEDS
LEIGHTON BUZZARD
BOOTLE
CASTLE DOUGLAS
STROOD
BOGNOR REGIS
BARNSTAPLE
STEVENAGE
CLYDEBANK
MAIDENHEAD
CAMBERLEY
SWANLEY
KENILWORTH
FALKIRK
ALNWICK
CLACTON
WYTHENSHAWE
TOOTING
GREAT MALVERN

[Wherryman13]

[quote="Steve@Wilkos"][quote="wxmexile"]Hi Steve, thought i'd share this that i posted on the Kit brewing section of the forum;



'Thought i'd give an update on the wilkos sweet newkie brown - its been in the bottle 3 weeks at this stage and its good! - its very dark and has a distinct sweetness to it, but its smooth and clean tasting, good white head, very quaffable! i would defo stick to using a nottingham yeast with it, like i say its very clean tasting and i can't help thinking if i'd used the kit yeast it wouldn't have this quality. Critsisms - its slighty too sweet, and though i'm no expert would say it would work really well with a hop addition that could give it some more bitterness / aroma - any suggestions? also if i did this again i'd chuck another jar of malt extract in and up the dextrose, i like a kick with brown ale!'

I am also just sampling the wilkos lager i have done (kit yeast , 500g light dme 500g dextrose to 20l), its only had 10 days in the bottle but i have to say i'm not holding out much hope for this kit - its pretty grim at this stage, thin, sweet, pretty tasteless. Sure it would be better with a lager yeast and more time. I'm not hard to please though to be honest, i usually just do standard kits with little tweeking, but can't see myself revisiting this unless it dramatically improves with a bit of conditioning.


Also Steve - why not get this thread moved to the kit brewing section - you will get much more feedback as very few people view the guestbook (i presume) , and kit brewers are your biggest customers. .[/quote]



Great feedback and thank you very much. I will take it back to the team.
Cheers
Steve[/quote]


i would second that about moving the thread.....

[Steve@Wilkos]

Hi Admins...... can this tread be moved as suggetsed please?

[millemg]

It's now here


I've just bought a Wilco kit and played with it

I doubt it will help your cause though Steve@wilcos

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=55133&p=579853#p579853

[sbond10]

Can you explain some people seem to be saying they can get Wilko own brand spray malt for 2 quid a kilo but its not available online or in my local store( Warrington)

[Ditch]

Steve - why not get this thread moved to the kit brewing section ....?

Good man! I wondered how the hell I'd missed this one!



Steve; Just to say hullo, mate. And how nice it is to see a supplier putting his hand up and interacting with us on the forum

Obviously, given my location, I'm not a Wilkinson customer. But, I did spend a few years in Hull and there I was indeed a very regular and happy customer for all sorts of stuff.

Frankly? I think your coming here really just sums up something about the spirit of 'Wilko's'.

I trust ye boss is aware of ye outstanding initiative and effort?

[jmc]

Hi Boingy
Yes I have a list but it is on excel and not sure what is the best way to get that info on here. Any tips?

Cheers
Steve

I've PM'd you, Steve

I have been speaking to our web team and they are looking to publish the list on our website, so watch this space

Cheers
Steve

Stores with the small 1 metre range are....
...

I thought it might be handy to have a list in alphabetical order.

Code: Select all

Stores and range size in order below	
ABERDARE	1m
ABERGAVENNY	2m
ACCRINGTON	3m
ACOCKS GREEN	2m
ALDERSHOT	3m
ALFRETON	2m
ALLENTON	1m
ALLESTREE	1m
ALNWICK	1m
ALTRINCHAM	3m
AMMANFORD	3m
ANDOVER	3m
ARMLEY	3m
ARNOLD	3m
ASHBY	1m
ASHFORD	3m
ASHINGTON	1m
ASHTON-U-LYNE	2m
AYLESBURY	2m
AYR	3m
BANBURY	2m
BARKING	1m
BARNSLEY	2m
BARNSTAPLE	1m
BARROW IN FURNESS	3m
BARRY	3m
BASILDON	3m
BASINGSTOKE	3m
BEAUMONT LEYS	3m
BEDFORD	3m
BEDMINSTER	2m
BELLEVALE	2m
BELPER	1m
BEXLEYHEATH	3m
BICESTER	2m
BIRKENHEAD	3m
BISHOP AUCKLAND	2m
BISHOP STORTFORD	3m
BLACKHEATH	1m
BLACKPOOL	3m
BLACKWOOD	2m
BLETCHLEY	3m
BLOXWICH	2m
BLYTH	2m
BOGNOR REGIS	1m
BOLTON	2m
BOOTLE	1m
BORDON	1m
BOSCOMBE	3m
BOSTON	3m
BOURNEMOUTH	3m
BRADFORD	3m
BRANSHOLME	2m
BRENTWOOD	2m
BRIDGEND	3m
BRIDGWATER	3m
BRIGG	2m
BRIGHOUSE	3m
BRISTOL	3m
BROADMARSH	2m
BROMLEY	3m
BROWNHILLS	2m
BULL RING	3m
BULWELL (NEW)	3m
BURGESS HILL	2m
BURNLEY	2m
BURTON	3m
BURY	3m
BURY ST EDMUNDS	3m
BYKER	1m
CAMBERLEY	1m
CANNON PARK	2m
CANTERBURY	1m
CARDIFF	3m
CARLISLE	2m
CARLTON (NEW)	1m
CARMARTHEN	3m
CASTLE DOUGLAS	1m
CASTLEFORD (RELO)	2m
CHATHAM	2m
CHELMSFORD	2m
CHELMSLEY WOOD NEW	2m
CHELTENHAM	2m
CHEPSTOW	2m
CHESTER	2m
CHESTER LE STREET	2m
CHESTERFIELD	2m
CHIPPENHAM	3m
CLACTON	1m
CLEVELEYS	2m
CLIFTON	1m
CLIFTON MOOR	3m
CLIFTON-BRISTOL	2m
CLOWNE	2m
CLYDEBANK	1m
COALVILLE	3m
COCKERMOUTH	2m
COLCHESTER	3m
CORBY (RELOC)	3m
COVENTRY	2m
COWLEY	2m
CRAMLINGTON	2m
CRAWLEY	2m
CREWE	3m
CROSSGATES	2m
CRYSTAL PEAKS	3m
CWMBRAN	3m
DAGENHAM	3m
DARLINGTON	3m
DARTFORD	2m
DERBY NEW	3m
DEREHAM	2m
DEWSBURY	3m
DIDCOT	1m
DRIFFIELD	1m
DROITWICH	2m
DROYLSDEN	2m
DUDLEY	2m
DUNSTABLE	3m
DURHAM	3m
EARLESTOWN	2m
ECCLES (NEW)	3m
ELLESMERE PORT	2m
ELY	2m
EPSOM	3m
ERITH	3m
EXETER	3m
FALKIRK	1m
FAREHAM	3m
FARNBOROUGH	2m
FERNDOWN	2m
FOLKESTONE	3m
FRENCHGATE	2m
GAINSBOROUGH NEW	2m
GATESHEAD	2m
GILLINGHAM	3m
GLOUCESTER	3m
GORLESTON	1m
GRAVESEND	3m
GRAYS	3m
GREAT BRIDGE	1m
GREAT MALVERN	1m
GREAT YARMOUTH	1m
GREENOCK	2m
GRIMSBY	2m
HALESOWEN (NEW)	2m
HALIFAX	2m
HAMILTON	3m
HANLEY	3m
HARLOW	3m
HARPURHEY	3m
HARROW	2m
HARTLEPOOL	2m
HAVANT	1m
HAVERFORDWEST	3m
HAYES	2m
HEADINGLEY	2m
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD	3m
HESSLE ROAD HULL	3m
HIGH WYCOMBE	3m
HILLSBOROUGH	1m
HINCKLEY	3m
HITCHIN	3m
HOLYHEAD	3m
HORSHAM	3m
HOUNSLOW	2m
HUCKNALL RELOCATION	3m
HUDDERSFIELD	2m
HULL(NEW)	3m
HUNTINGDON	3m
HUYTON	3m
HYDE	1m
ILFORD	3m
ILKESTON	2m
IPSWICH	3m
IRVINE	2m
JARROW	2m
KENILWORTH	1m
KETTERING	3m
KIDDERMINSTER	3m
KILLINGWORTH	3m
KILMARNOCK	2m
KINGS LYNN (RELO)	3m
KINGSTON UPON THAMES	2m
KINGSWOOD	2m
KNOWLE	1m
LANCASTER	3m
LEE CIRCLE	3m
LEEDS-TRINITY	2m
LEEK	3m
LEIGH	1m
LEIGHTON BUZZARD	1m
LETCHWORTH	2m
LICHFIELD	1m
LINCOLN	2m
LIVERPOOL	2m
LIVINGSTON	2m
LLANELLI	3m
LONG EATON	2m
LONGTON	3m
LOUGHBOROUGH (NEW)	3m
LOUTH (RELO)	2m
LOWESTOFT	3m
LUTON	3m
MAESTEG	1m
MAIDENHEAD	1m
MAIDSTONE	3m
MANCHESTER	3m
MANSFIELD	3m
MARKET DRAYTON	2m
MERTHYR TYDFIL	3m
MIDDLESBROUGH	3m
MIDDLETON	2m
MILDENHALL	3m
MORLEY	3m
MORRISTON	3m
MOTHERWELL	3m
NEATH	2m
NELSON	1m
NEWARK	2m
NEWBURY	2m
NEWCASTLE-U-LYME	2m
NEWCASTLE-U-TYNE	2m
NEWPORT	3m
NEWTON ABBOT	3m
NEWTON AYCLIFFE	2m
NORTH SHIELDS	2m
NORTHALLERTON	3m
NORTHAMPTON	1m
NORTHFIELD	3m
NORWICH	3m
NOTTINGHAM	2m
NUNEATON	2m
OAKHAM	1m
ORPINGTON	1m
ORTON	1m
OSWESTRY (NEW)	3m
PEMBROKE DOCK	2m
PENGE	2m
PERRY BARR	3m
PETERBOROUGH	3m
PETERLEE	3m
PLYMOUTH	3m
PONTEFRACT	1m
PONTYPOOL	2m
POOLE	2m
PORT TALBOT	2m
PORTHMADOG	3m
PORTSMOUTH	3m
PRESTON	2m
RAINHAM	3m
RAMSGATE	2m
READING	3m
REDCAR	2m
REDDITCH	2m
REDHILL	2m
REDRUTH	3m
RETFORD	2m
RHYL	2m
ROCHDALE	3m
ROMFORD	3m
ROTHERHAM	2m
RUGBY	3m
RUNCORN	3m
RUSHDEN	1m
SALE	2m
SALFORD	3m
SCARBOROUGH	3m
SCUNTHORPE	1m
SEAHAM	3m
SELBY NEW	3m
SHEFFIELD	2m
SHERWOOD	1m
SHIPLEY	1m
SHIRLEY	2m
SHREWSBURY	2m
SITTINGBOURNE	3m
SKEGNESS	1m
SKELMERSDALE	3m
SLOUGH	3m
SOUTH SHIELDS	3m
SOUTHEND	3m
SOUTHPORT	1m
SPALDING	3m
ST AUSTELL	2m
ST HELENS	3m
ST. ALBANS	3m
STAFFORD	1m
STEVENAGE	1m
STOCKTON	3m
STOURBRIDGE	2m
STRATFORD	2m
STROOD	1m
STROUD	3m
SUNDERLAND	3m
SUTTON COLDFIELD	3m
SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD	2m
SUTTON-IN-SURREY	3m
SWANLEY	1m
SWANSEA	2m
SWINDON	3m
SYSTON	2m
TAMWORTH	2m
TAUNTON	1m
TELFORD	2m
THAMESMEAD	1m
THETFORD	2m
THORNABY	2m
TOOTING	1m
TORQUAY	3m
TROWBRIDGE	3m
UTTOXETER	2m
UXBRIDGE	2m
WAKEFIELD	3m
WALLASEY	3m
WALSALL	2m
WALTHAMSTOW	2m
WALTON ON THAMES	2m
WARRINGTON	2m
WASHINGTON	3m
WATERLOOVILLE	2m
WATFORD	2m
WELLINGBORO	3m
WELLINGTON	3m
WEMBLEY	3m
WEST BROMWICH	2m
WEST EALING	3m
WESTON FAVELL	2m
WESTON-SUPER-MARE	2m
WEYMOUTH	3m
WHITEHAVEN	3m
WIDNES	3m
WIGAN	2m
WIGSTON RELOC	2m
WINSFORD	2m
WINTON	1m
WOLVERHAMPTON	1m
WOMBWELL	1m
WOOD GREEN	2m
WOODHOUSE LANE-LEEDS	1m
WOOLWICH	3m
WORKINGTON	3m
WORKSOP	2m
WORTHING	3m
WREXHAM	3m
WYTHENSHAWE	1m
YEOVIL	3m
YIEWSLEY	3m

[fishplate]

Hi Steve.I got the Wilko Golden Ale on the free kit you offered me.I tried my first bottle on Friday night and was impressed very refreshing drink and tasted great.Thanks again

[agent_pumpkin]

Hi Steve, just a bit of feedback for you.

Wilkinson's in Leek is now our local home brew store they have a good, but not quite the full range. We are impressed with the wilko range and look forward to trying them all.

However, recently tried the Wilko Refreshing Cerveza. Was a bit worried as it looked dark for a lager. However on tasting its quite nice for a pale ale. Its not at all lager, but its still tasty. I wonder if the labels got mixed up, or is this down to a non-lager yeast?

Also.. why are the wine kits all the exact the same size and weight for 6 or 30 bottles?