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!
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
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
how much did people sugar did people use to carb this? Have it bottled a few weeks and it seams very under carbonated.
thanks
I bulk primed with 100g sugar. Head wasn't great TBH.
flat teaspoon per 500ml bottle. perfect carbonation for me ;)
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.