Bought & Homebrew Beers, Lagers, Porters etc
I have got back in to making my "own" beer over the period of social isolation (and pubs being shut :beer:)
It has been over twenty years since I made any and have been using simple branded tins of extract. The problem has been finding beers which brew well at home (although so far so good:)). It has got me thinking that recommended kits/tips etc could be a useful thread, as I have just been buying on spec.
So:
Woodfords "Nog" - first attempt and brilliant. Dark beer, good head, bitter and toasted malt flavour - will make this again.
Courage "Directors" - fermentation slower, classic beer but the hop flavour a bit too "green" to me if that makes sense (wife likes it though)
St Peters "Cream Stout" - Still conditioning in the bottles, but VERY promising. Bitter finish, chocolate and fine mousse - will make this again.
Festival "Pride of London Porter" - just started, but I have added extra dark spray malt to the recipe so it should come out at about 6%
I have just ordered a Czech pilsner kit and an American IPA for the summer months, will let you know that I think in about a months time!
All the above have been bottle conditioned using a spray malt solution which I made up, so sediment in bottom of bottle (Coopers PET bottles - initial expense, but reusable). I was going to use my old Boots pressure barrel, but the gas injector was buggered, actually finding it is working really well to bottle condition though.
Any recommendations for kits/whatever gratefully received.
Edit - as much as I am enjoying making and drinking my own beer, I really miss the social aspect of going to pub/chatting/playing pétanque (boule) - must get some mates around to sample my beers when the situation allows.
More Polish amber-nectar!
Been enjoying an ice-cold one of these today, in the scorchio Wrexham sunshine, purchased from our local Polish shop:
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/1...923/z0n9rz.jpg
More info here: http://www.browar-amber.pl/en/
Probably one of the best I've had yet - golden, full-bodied, hoppy lurveliness!:barrel:
Marco.