[Review] Craft Range Red Ale

[Drzava]

Put this on last night - the latest in Homebrewwest's high quality Craft Range line. The pack contents are perhaps a step down from some of the other kits - you just get a 3kg pouch of concentrate and a 10g pack of ale yeast - no hops, priming sugar etc. But, to be fair, the kit is also cheaper than the others and is currently on special offer at €20 which ain't bad at all. Probably not much point detailing setting it up - it's the same as any other kit. I found the wort easier to dissolve than some other recent kits though. I also used 200g of Carapils for head retention (hat tip to LordEoin!). OG was 1.044 at 20.5C so looks like it'll exceed the 3.7% ABV target on the pack - although I may have brewed it slightly short (I never account for the 'head' after mixing correctly!). Instructions a bit disappointing - unchanged from other Craft Range kits, with no mention of the Red Ale - in particular no target FG given; I guess it'll be about 1.012 or so.

Will update when the kit is done!

[Philsner]

Done this kit few weeks ago. Dry hopped with 30g of belma. Will try a sneaky bottle this Friday just to test of course. Can't wait

[Drzava]

Bottled this up last night at an FG of 1.010 (4% ABV). Got 43 500ml bottles. Will chance one in 10 days or so!

[Drzava]

This was a bit twangy for a few weeks, but better after 5/6 weeks in the bottle. Taste is OK - a bit bland and watery but not bad. Heavier than Smithwicks. Cleared well. OK head which doesn't last to the end of the glass.

[Philsner]

wow. this ale has aged very nicely. had a bottle or 2 couple months ago and it was ok. put into the garage and completely forgot about it. its very tasty now

[Drzava]

Might doesn't seem to have come on any more - maybe I'm drinking it too early, or perhaps the style just isn't 'me' but I'm only drinking them to get through them if you know what I mean.

[LordEoin]

3 months seems to be the magic number for a lot of kit beers, after that they generally stay the same or start to fade.

[ronanp]

how much did people sugar did people use to carb this? Have it bottled a few weeks and it seams very under carbonated.

thanks

[Drzava]

I bulk primed with 100g sugar. Head wasn't great TBH.

[Philsner]

flat teaspoon per 500ml bottle. perfect carbonation for me

[oconn]

got this on special / in the sale. sounds like it needs some hops ? or does time sort it out. have a lash of lash of late hops on hand.