Admiral's Reserve is on the go!!

[brew mountain]

The next brew is in the primary and looking good

Followed all the hints and tips from the forum - changed the yeast for Safale S-04, aerated like a mad-man and used a Campden tablet to treat the water in my second FV before tipping it in from height. OG ~ 1.040

Each brew's been improving so fingers crossed this should be good one

Unfortunately no pics as short on time, but if the pint looks good I'll post a couple.

Question - I noticed one of the threads on Admiral's that DME was added at the start did I miss a trick here?

[nicktherockstar]

I cant think why that would of been done for that kit, unless it was to make it stronger?

[CrownCap]

Shouldn't really be any need to add any extra fermentables to this kit. Whilst adding more DME may increase the final strength, it will also unbalance it slightly (unless a hopped DME is used).

[brew mountain]

Thanks guys, looks like I didn't miss anything.

When you're starting off there's so much to read in the forum with everyone doing something a little different - I suppose it's often just trial and error

Just follow the basics and drink it anyway!

[MickyD]

Probably me getting confused between DME and the hop powder sachet thingy that comes with the Admirals Res kit. I did use a Medium Spray Malt for priming though

Far to many abbreviations for all the ingredients and bits of kit for little brain to cope with.

Anyhoo, its fermented and has been bottled this weekend. Was still a bit cloudy but I had a glass whilst bottling and its a bit sharp but this will be put right by conditioning, and hopefully become more mellow.

[brew mountain]

Cheers MickyD, I' knew I'd seen the post somewhere.

It's been in the FV for a couple of days and is bubbling away nicely with a cracking foamy head.

Not sure if changing to Safale S-04 yeast or the fact that it's 11g rather than the 6g of the sachet included with the kit.

Anyway, really looking forward to tasting this one as I've done all the things to improve the home brew experience

[brew mountain]

Transfered to a Keg today after ten days in the FV priming with 60g of brewers sugar (Glucose).

FG ~ 1.012 which gives a brew around 3.7%, though the hydrometer I have is a cheapy and not entirely sure its @ 20oC. Still should be good, easy drinking beer and will go well with a Whiskey chaser

Next up Brupaks Old Ale, I am looking for that Old Perculier flavour so any suggestions would be gratefully received

[nicktherockstar]

something I have noted with the woodfordes kits, (I have only done one mind) is how easy they get down to OG if done right.. or at least when they work, my wherry has been bottled for a few weeks (1 of which in the fridge) and is tasting promising already!

If I brought it I would be miffed but time will rescue that!

[CrownCap]

Next up Brupaks Old Ale, I am looking for that Old Peculiar flavour so any suggestions would be gratefully received

You could try priming your bottles/keg with black treacle (molasses). I think that is what Dave Line's recipe recommends so I can't do any harm with the kit.

I'm currently waiting for my Old Ale to mature a bit more as it is still a bit green and the yeast hasn't dropped after about a month. Aiming to tap it at the end of September and on first tasting its shaping up to be a great autumn warmer

[Mr blue]

Just started this kit today sg 1042

[Mr blue]

looks like its stuck at 1022 will leave for a couple more days then will add some light spraymalt and gently rouse the yeast as read somewhere on here that worked for someone, if all else fails have got some dry beer enzyme.

[Mr blue]

Adding more yeast is another option.

yeah will try that after the spraymalt if theres no movement.

[brew mountain]

Beer's been in the Hambleton Bard keg for about 2 weeks and I couldn't resist just having a (small) glass to see how it tastes

Unfortunately, whilst it tastes good, especially no TCP it is a flat as the proverbial and there's more head in a Lou Reed song than my glass

I have squirted some CO2 in and can hear a leak, not sure if it's over pressurized and the release valve is working or if the barrel's leaking elsewhere.

The big question is can I save it by opening it up and adding more brewing sugar in water to add that sparkle / fizz? I did put in ~60g of brewers glucose to prime the barrel and I think I may have underdone it! At this rate I'll stick with my bottled Nog, slight TCP (I think) but definitely more gas

[brew mountain]

Cheers Daab, I have some special leak detecting spray at work from BOC that might help.

Once I have sorted the leak and made sure it's not the release valve I'll give it a daily squirt and see how it goes.

Shame really, I had made a real effort with this one, making sure that that I followed all the tips on here and 18000feet.com, only to end up with flat beer - bugger!

Anyhow, my empty beer bottle collection is growing so time to get the Brupaks Old Ale in the FV.

[brew mountain]

I used the stuff from work and some nice bubbles started coming out from under the lid. So I think I have an O-ring that isn't sealing properly.

Will it be Ok to take the lid off, reset the O-ring, replace the lid and re-pressurise steadily over the course of a week?

The spray from work is CFC free leak detector spray, it's normally used to test for leaks on gas lines, regulators and cylinders on fuel gases, O2 / CO2 and inert gases like Helium - does the job!