I am going to be brewing this in a few days and would like you advice if possible. I would like to increase the flavour and bitterness of this beer. If possible I would like a brew that tastes similar to a Becks. I am guessing that I should add additional hops? When and how much should I add. Should the amount of sugar also be increased? Lastly do you know any types/brands I should use? Thank you for the help
@Robert121691 Hi Robert thanks for the comment. This is a pretty bitter kit I personally would not any additional hops with it starting out. I would make this kit with 1.5LBS of brewing sugar of liquid glucose (if you can get it) and 1.5 LBS of malt extract. If you have any further questions shoot me an e-mail (message) ill be happy to help - cheers
You said this beer is like mgd well that's my favorite beer so im curious. Did you use the candy drops for carbination or what did you use? Also why do you have to use dextrose anyways isn't granulated sugar good enough?
@Dondlelinger Yes if granulated sugar is all you have it will do. I have never used it before some people say it can possibly give the beer a slight cidery taste - but you can give it a whirl. For Carbonation I use dextrose - I use a 1 1/4 cups per batch. Hope that helps - let us know how your beer turns out. Cheers
Thanks for the quick response! Also what temperatures are you running for your fermentation for this beer? Mines sitting at 22 c and I think that may be a bit high but I don't have a fermentation chamber and my temperatures are what they are. Is this to high?
Hey thanks for the quick response, appreciate the help.
Please keep posting reviews, I really enjoy your reviews.
Anyways 1 more question what was your temperature for this fermentation? I heard just changing coopers yeast for a different yeast will make a big difference as well. Notingham yeast was recommended from my lhb. Anyways so my temp for the fermentation is a bit high i think (22c) but I can't stop the weather.. how do you do it?
Usually try to keep the fermentation temp around 19 or so. I have used notingham before - but I find the coopers yeast is good quality and always gives you a solid fermentation. On of the things I do in the summer when it gets hot is put my fermenter in a huge Rubbermaid bin (got it at Zellers for 5$) filled with water and a few ice packs. Keeps it pretty cool.
@weirdbeer - Howdy I live in Halifax now - but am originally from Cape Breton Island. BTW cool videos - I got to try one of them festabrew kits last year - some pretty good stuff just like a micro brewed beer. Cheers
Good advice. I just started brewing extract beers and I am now getting ready to do my 5th batch. Every extract beer that I have made has turned out great and better than any store bought stuff that you can get. I am interested in trying all grain someday and I am just starting to look into the equipment that I would need. The other upside to making great beer and saving money is that it is also a very fun hobby and a great way to spend your spare time.
@kcweazle Thanks for the comment. Your right it is a great hobby - one of my favorite things is you can make whatever style you like. The hardest part about brewing is waiting for the beer to be ready to sample it!
What I found that was a very important yet seldom mentioned item in homebrewing is fermentation temperature. You have to find what temperature the yeast needs and make sure you keep your fermenter at that temp. Many kits have vague instructions on this, e.g. "put the fermenter in a warm place" when what they mean is 65F, 19C. For folks living where it's hot and air conditioning only into the 70's, if they ferment at room temp, they are going to get awful stuff, no matter how it was made. Tks!
@steeljan Thanks for the comment - that is a summer challenge i face - i have no air conditioning so my apt is gets up to 23-24c on the summer days. I keep a fan on the fermentor and some cool water usually keeps it down to close to 20. Last summer i had one ferment at 80f - and i tell ya drink 5-6 of them and u wake up the next morning feeling like your brain was going to explode lol
@RevolutionaryBrewer I have yet to make a Lager that I like from a kit and I believe its the temps here in Ireland this summer that has spoiled them. Like yourself it been warma nd inside the temps would be too high for a lager. My ale's have been great on the other hand ( far better at high temps). Im glad to see your discussing this because its a major factor in brewing beer. Nice vid by the way, love the song, is it ''The Clancy Brothers'' version? Sounds like it anyway, Sláinte!
@djscalo Thanks for the comment. Lagers are tough in the summer - they really do turn out better at lower temps. Once the fall and winter comes you will notice an improvement when you can ferment at lower temperatures. Also yes it is the Clancy Brothers - doesnt get much better then that :)
great vids thank you....keep it up..
snoopdogzify 1 month ago
Hello,
I am going to be brewing this in a few days and would like you advice if possible. I would like to increase the flavour and bitterness of this beer. If possible I would like a brew that tastes similar to a Becks. I am guessing that I should add additional hops? When and how much should I add. Should the amount of sugar also be increased? Lastly do you know any types/brands I should use? Thank you for the help
Robert121691 4 months ago
@Robert121691 Hi Robert thanks for the comment. This is a pretty bitter kit I personally would not any additional hops with it starting out. I would make this kit with 1.5LBS of brewing sugar of liquid glucose (if you can get it) and 1.5 LBS of malt extract. If you have any further questions shoot me an e-mail (message) ill be happy to help - cheers
RevolutionaryBrewer 4 months ago
Great videos. Yourself and Craigtube are fantastic.
RotationFSX 7 months ago
You said this beer is like mgd well that's my favorite beer so im curious. Did you use the candy drops for carbination or what did you use? Also why do you have to use dextrose anyways isn't granulated sugar good enough?
Dondlelinger 11 months ago
@Dondlelinger Yes if granulated sugar is all you have it will do. I have never used it before some people say it can possibly give the beer a slight cidery taste - but you can give it a whirl. For Carbonation I use dextrose - I use a 1 1/4 cups per batch. Hope that helps - let us know how your beer turns out. Cheers
RevolutionaryBrewer 11 months ago
@RevolutionaryBrewer
Thanks for the quick response! Also what temperatures are you running for your fermentation for this beer? Mines sitting at 22 c and I think that may be a bit high but I don't have a fermentation chamber and my temperatures are what they are. Is this to high?
Dondlelinger 11 months ago
Hey thanks for the quick response, appreciate the help.
Please keep posting reviews, I really enjoy your reviews.
Anyways 1 more question what was your temperature for this fermentation? I heard just changing coopers yeast for a different yeast will make a big difference as well. Notingham yeast was recommended from my lhb. Anyways so my temp for the fermentation is a bit high i think (22c) but I can't stop the weather.. how do you do it?
Dondlelinger 11 months ago
@Dondlelinger
Usually try to keep the fermentation temp around 19 or so. I have used notingham before - but I find the coopers yeast is good quality and always gives you a solid fermentation. On of the things I do in the summer when it gets hot is put my fermenter in a huge Rubbermaid bin (got it at Zellers for 5$) filled with water and a few ice packs. Keeps it pretty cool.
RevolutionaryBrewer 11 months ago
just curious if you have ever entered any kit beers into competition to get feed back from certified people on it?
etrezet 1 year ago
@etrezet Hey there no I have never entered any competitions. My friends seem to like it though - although im not sure they are certified - lol
RevolutionaryBrewer 1 year ago
Well very informative ,but I dont drink because I am educated in what it does to you.
I dont know why people drink because it is an aquired taste. If you have to aquire it dont drink it Just drink what tastes good to you
piepeace 1 year ago
What part of Canada are you from?
weirdbeer 1 year ago
@weirdbeer - Howdy I live in Halifax now - but am originally from Cape Breton Island. BTW cool videos - I got to try one of them festabrew kits last year - some pretty good stuff just like a micro brewed beer. Cheers
RevolutionaryBrewer 1 year ago
Good advice. I just started brewing extract beers and I am now getting ready to do my 5th batch. Every extract beer that I have made has turned out great and better than any store bought stuff that you can get. I am interested in trying all grain someday and I am just starting to look into the equipment that I would need. The other upside to making great beer and saving money is that it is also a very fun hobby and a great way to spend your spare time.
kcweazle 1 year ago
@kcweazle Thanks for the comment. Your right it is a great hobby - one of my favorite things is you can make whatever style you like. The hardest part about brewing is waiting for the beer to be ready to sample it!
Cheers
RevolutionaryBrewer 1 year ago
What I found that was a very important yet seldom mentioned item in homebrewing is fermentation temperature. You have to find what temperature the yeast needs and make sure you keep your fermenter at that temp. Many kits have vague instructions on this, e.g. "put the fermenter in a warm place" when what they mean is 65F, 19C. For folks living where it's hot and air conditioning only into the 70's, if they ferment at room temp, they are going to get awful stuff, no matter how it was made. Tks!
steeljan 1 year ago
@steeljan Thanks for the comment - that is a summer challenge i face - i have no air conditioning so my apt is gets up to 23-24c on the summer days. I keep a fan on the fermentor and some cool water usually keeps it down to close to 20. Last summer i had one ferment at 80f - and i tell ya drink 5-6 of them and u wake up the next morning feeling like your brain was going to explode lol
Good point fermentation temp is important
RevolutionaryBrewer 1 year ago
@RevolutionaryBrewer I have yet to make a Lager that I like from a kit and I believe its the temps here in Ireland this summer that has spoiled them. Like yourself it been warma nd inside the temps would be too high for a lager. My ale's have been great on the other hand ( far better at high temps). Im glad to see your discussing this because its a major factor in brewing beer. Nice vid by the way, love the song, is it ''The Clancy Brothers'' version? Sounds like it anyway, Sláinte!
djscalo 1 year ago
@djscalo Thanks for the comment. Lagers are tough in the summer - they really do turn out better at lower temps. Once the fall and winter comes you will notice an improvement when you can ferment at lower temperatures. Also yes it is the Clancy Brothers - doesnt get much better then that :)
cheers
RevolutionaryBrewer 1 year ago