Adapting a kit with hops for the first time

[SquireKnott]

Taking hops out of the equation, if I were to do, eg, another Wilko Hoppy Copper could I simply substitute the brewing sugar I'd use at the beginning with Spray Malt to produce a better outcome?

(Not there's owt much wrong with the one I've done as per the instructions for £7.50!)

That's the idea SK.

You should end up with a slightly maltier body to your brew

Cheers

MB

What about beer enhancer?

What's the difference between that, spray malt and sugar?

[Geezah]

BKE is a combination of sugar and DME a bit like making up your kit with 0.5kg of Sucrose or glucose and 0.5kg of DME

[SquireKnott]

BKE is a combination of sugar and DME a bit like making up your kit with 0.5kg of Sucrose or glucose and 0.5kg of DME

Ty Geezah

Does this look ok?



I've taken the lid off on day 10 to dry hop it and that in the middle appears to be some still dry yeast.

Gravity is just below 1.010 though.

[WalesAles]

Hello SK,
Looks good to me! Get those hops in there right now!
WA

[SquireKnott]

Hello SK,
Looks good to me! Get those hops in there right now!
WA

So the yeast is nothing to worry about? Not had this with my first four brew.

[SquireKnott]

This should be bottled on Friday or Saturday.

I've then got another APA to go in, this time with 1kg beer enhancer.

I've still got the Amarillo but want to use a different hop aswell.

What if I started it with Amarillo tea then dry hopped with Chinook (I've read it's grapefruity?) would that work?

Would a jar of honey do anything for Coopers APA?

[Monkeybrew]

Would a jar of honey do anything for Coopers APA?

In my experience honey will ferment out and won't leave you with any flavour, especially if you go with Amarillo and Chinook.

Cheers

MB

[Geezah]

If you use honey, you will get the honey flavour, but the flavour will disappear with age.
If your using it in a Coopers APA and you plan to drink it young (i.e within 4 weeks) then its not a bad addition.
To really get a honey flavour you need some specialty grains to mash and add to the wort.
Gambrinus Honey Malt is the best but hard to find so I use Munich malt to add that sweetness to an ale.

This is a fair guide to what grains and sugars offer to beer.

[SquireKnott]

Bottled.

Tasted bland on the way in - we'll see!

I'm getting to be a dab hand at this now - 45 bottles and I didn't even need to get the mop out.

[SquireKnott]

I've put the next APA on but this time I've just added 1kg of Youngs beer enhancer and brewed to 20l until I see what the Amarillo'd batch tastes like.

I left it to cool for approaching an hour before adding the yeast and when I went to there were what looked like lumps of the beer enhancer and it was quite murky - I stirred it and the lumps seemed to mix straight in easily - anything to worry about?

[WalesAles]

I've put the next APA on but this time I've just added 1kg of Youngs beer enhancer and brewed to 20l until I see what the Amarillo'd batch tastes like.
I left it to cool for approaching an hour before adding the yeast and when I went to there were what looked like lumps of the beer enhancer and it was quite murky - I stirred it and the lumps seemed to mix straight in easily - anything to worry about?

SK,
Get one of these in your drill and you will never see lumps again!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PADDLE-MIXER- ... 3f37311a00
WA

[SquireKnott]

Thanks WA, looks good.

Do I have a problem though?

[WalesAles]

Thanks WA, looks good.

Do I have a problem though?

SK,
Yes, You got a problem! You haven`t bought a Fark%%ng Plasterer`s Drill thingy to make your Beer go all frothy!
When you use it you go `Fark%%%ing Hell, this is Brilliant. Why didn`t I read more Threads`. Because It`s In there!
Go On, Buy One, You Know You Want To!
WA

[Exiled Bradfordian]

In terms of your brew, though, it looks fine.

[SquireKnott]

Thanks lads, it looks like overly milky tea at the moment, although it is in a different, darker spot than my previous 5 brews.

First one sterilised with Videne too this.