Scots_Pagan
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OK guys, decided I'd take a quick break from making mead to make a festive beer...it's my first essay into beer...
I've left it a little late as I've had trouble getting the necessary stuff here in the dark wilds of western Scotland...
I managed to score a Cooper's Stout kit on the cheapo, but here's where my lack of knowledge of all things hopped has me stopped.
What can I use to sweeten the deal? The kit calls for a kilo of sugar, but I know from my reading that this makes **** beer.
Here's what I have on hand that I can use:
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Honey (I make mead. I always have honey.)
Molasses (for some reason the missus saw big jars going cheap so I have lots)
What would be best to use to get it a nice stout? I can't readily find DME; nearest I could find was Wilkos had one dodgy-looking bag of dextrose/LME mix for £8. Screw that.
I've also of course got good quality cocoa, vanilla pods and some very good coffee...would adding any of that make a nice taste alteration?
Finally, how long should I be leaving this in the tank? Can I drink this at Xmas/Hogmanay??
This is my first beer so I've not really much knowledge...
All help very gratefully appreciated.
I've left it a little late as I've had trouble getting the necessary stuff here in the dark wilds of western Scotland...
I managed to score a Cooper's Stout kit on the cheapo, but here's where my lack of knowledge of all things hopped has me stopped.
What can I use to sweeten the deal? The kit calls for a kilo of sugar, but I know from my reading that this makes **** beer.
Here's what I have on hand that I can use:
Granulated Sugar
Brown Sugar
Honey (I make mead. I always have honey.)
Molasses (for some reason the missus saw big jars going cheap so I have lots)
What would be best to use to get it a nice stout? I can't readily find DME; nearest I could find was Wilkos had one dodgy-looking bag of dextrose/LME mix for £8. Screw that.
I've also of course got good quality cocoa, vanilla pods and some very good coffee...would adding any of that make a nice taste alteration?
Finally, how long should I be leaving this in the tank? Can I drink this at Xmas/Hogmanay??
This is my first beer so I've not really much knowledge...
All help very gratefully appreciated.