TOPIC:

Just to Introduce myself and say hello to members.

After reading a few books - Took the plunge last month for the first time.

MY FIRST BREW
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Used a simple Full Kit - "John Bull - Pilsner" 3Kg

19L Brew - No boilng required.

Brewed on 15.July Gravity 1046
Bolltled 26.July Gravity 1006

estimate 5% abv <!-- s;-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;-) -->

Its now two weeks from bottling and I have had to sample the produce - it is ok I guess for a first time, good level of CO2 but head does seem to disappear within a few moments.
Taste is drinkable but still yeasty and a slight harshness with some slight off falvours but its definately beer and will be consumed !!
Beer is compltely clear in bottle - yeast at bottom when not chilled - after chilling some cloudiness (that doesnt bother me). Well pleased for first go

Would like to ask what should I try next ? - thinking stout (my normal drink) Is it a good place and can anyone suggest a good stout kit ? (I would be able to boil next time if required (just decided to keep it really simple for the first try).
Ideas for next brew please....
woody

Welcome, the head retention problem you encountered is probably down to the use of sugar recommended by the kits which makes the body of the beer lighter i would suggest using Dry Malt Extract (spraymalt) instead of sugar next time, the cloudyness is just protiens in the beer which become more visible when chilled, it doesn't affect the beer really, I Would recommend boiling next time as this will help to clear the cloudy proteins, it will also help prepare you for Extract Brewing also what yeast did you use? the yeast that can sometimes come with a kit may be a little suspect i always use a branded yeast these days.

Anyhow Welcome to the site, hope your next brew goes as well as the first or even better

Welcome to ICB and well done on the first brew. A drinkable first beer is a success.

Stout would be an excellent choice as a starter brew as it is forgiving and can hide some potential off flavours. I'm sure someone will be along shortly to advise on the best stout kits. I used a Brupaks 3KG stout kit a while back and it was fine.

&amp;quot;irishwoody&amp;quot;:385et8ck wrote: Would like to ask what should I try next ? - thinking stout (my normal drink) Is it a good place and can anyone suggest a good stout kit ? (I would be able to boil next time if required (just decided to keep it really simple for the first try).
Ideas for next brew please....
woody[/quote:385et8ck]

Hi Woody,
Ive tried this one recently; Mountmellick Stout[/url:385et8ck] - it came out really well, and got some thumbs up after the Oz & James show.
I'd previously done another one, but cant remember the name; must go home and look it up!
Im currently brewing a John Bull Mastterclass beer which seemed fine when transferred to keg on Sunday.

Generally, my experience with kit stouts is that they need *ages* to taste good - about 6 months is about right in my experience before they develop the complex and mellow flavours that I've experienced in my kits to date. They'll be OK after 2 months and nice after 4 months, but if you hang onto them longer you get your just reward!

Hi Irish Partly Ale <!-- s;-) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;-) --> Sorry couldn't resist that !

The Mountmellick Stout was on my list for next time round but the last time I had looked at the site they were out of stock. Will go back again and try that kit so...

Four months.....That seems like forever - Ill have to put the bottles out in the shed out of sight to increase their chances of lasting that long...Anyone got a four month time lock ?

Ok, will get going and get the second bach underway ASAP. Must be bottled before I go on annual leave... Also take the tip of the branded yeast - any ideas about a good brand

Any of the safale/fermentis brands of dry yeast have served me well in particular S-04 as it is nice and clean flavourwise and falls out of the beer pretty well also, I would think that this would be fine for a stout