HBC The Kraken American Amber Ale

[stevej]

Decided to brew this today

The kit contains the following

A bag of mixed grain containing

Pale Malt 2 Types of Crystal Malt and Munich

Hops are Nugget, Simcoe, Centennial

Hop additions are 60 mins 10 mins 0 mins aswell as a dry hop addition

Also the kit contains a whirlfloc tablet

Yeast supplied is 05

Pretty easy to read instructions got the mash on now will update as the day goes on
Steve

 

[stevej]

So all done just cooling down now, The instructions state basic brewing knowledge needed it could not have been easier. I think these kits are great for someone wanting to start AG brewing and not having to worry about recipes etc
The grains smelt nice and fresh and was surprised for a kit having 4 hop additions overall very impressed. A big thanyou to the HBC for donating these kits and to the mods for organizing the raffle
Regards Steve

 

[goodolpete]

Hi Steve.
I won this kit in the raffle, and will be starting it as my first
AG brew when the tap and hop filter arrive for my blue
Mango 50l boiler.
How did you cool the wort? My idea is to get a five gall water
Container, pour it in and cool it in my bath filled with cold water containing five litre
PETs filled with water and deep frozen.

 

[stevej]

Hi Steve.
I won this kit in the raffle, and will be starting it as my first
AG brew when the tap and hop filter arrive for my blue
Mango 50l boiler.
How did you cool the wort? My idea is to get a five gall water
Container, pour it in and cool it in my bath filled with cold water containing five litre
PETs filled with water and deep frozen.

Hi i have a wort chiller but i did used to use frozen bottles ect the kit is a doddle to do hope it turns out ok
Steve

 

[DoctorMick]

Sounds nice, looking forward to giving the kit I won a go.

 

[stevej]

Bubbling away:smile:

 

[clibit]

This one sounds like a\ wicked recipe, lovely hop combo with a good malt platform! It's a west coast red ale and very similar to a couple I've made myself, but mine had some black malt or roast barley to help redden it.

 

[stevej]

This one sounds like a\ wicked recipe, lovely hop combo with a good malt platform! It's a west coast red ale and very similar to a couple I've made myself, but mine had some black malt or roast barley to help redden it.

Its a lovely amber colour smelt amazing in the boil pan really looking forward to trying this one

 

[clibit]

I reckon you will really like it.

 

[stevej]

So day 4 The Kraken has stopped breathing lol, Took a sample to check Gravity my OG was spot on at 1051, FG is supposed to be 1012 but im reading 1010 today already,Smells and tastes very hoppy at the min. A bit cloudy still but very pleased so far
Steve

 

[stevej]

Day ten dry hop addition added had a little taste as you do,tasting very strong as in abv little to no hops coming through now:-|
Steve

Edit and oh its dead cloudy still

 

[Covrich]

When do you plan to bottle/ keg? I was going to do my dry hop 3-4 days before I bottle, the kit says 10 days after you pitch and put them in a cup of boiling water for 10 mins first which I haven't done with a dry hop before not sure whether I will do that.

I know my kit is different (D IPA) but its actually very similar. Mine is nugget Zeus with a centenniel dry hop

 

[stevej]

When do you plan to bottle/ keg? I was going to do my dry hop 3-4 days before I bottle, the kit says 10 days after you pitch and put them in a cup of boiling water for 10 mins first which I haven't done with a dry hop before not sure whether I will do that.

I know my kit is different (D IPA) but its actually very similar. Mine is nugget Zeus with a centenniel dry hop

Ive followed the instructions to the letter going to leave the hops in for 5 days max maybe 4 my hop aroma has totally gone, I would have normally added more hops but that would change the kit i suppose
Steve

 

[stevej]

Bottled cant remember when Bottled most in glass bottles a couple in pet, So tonight it got the better of me checked how this was getting on gave a pet a squeeze and oh some pressure! Could not resist poured one little carb at this point BUT what a surprise nice hoppy aroma its definitely clearing and its turning into a lovely ale, Wasnt sure if i would like this one and still dont no if i would make it again at this stage, But what i will say is i will be buying another kit from these guys! MyQul im interested to no how your kit is getting on as i am looking at buying one of the kits you have made
Steve

 

[goodolpete]

Steve,
how much sugar did you (batch?) prime with?
Pete

 

[stevej]

Steve,
how much sugar did you (batch?) prime with?
Pete

I used half a teaspoon per 500ml bottle

 

[paulgumby]

I am watching this with interest as I have recently started using the Irish HBC site. Even with delivery it has been working out cheaper! You gotta love the Euro. I have just kegged the Discover America Pale Ale and the Irish Red Ale. Both of which were extract beers. My overall impression so far has been that the quality is good and the service / pricing is excellent. I have the Olgas Oregon Stout to make next and this will be the first AG recipe kit I have bought from there.

I must admit I have / intend to bastardize all of the recipe kits that I have bought so far, but I want to do one on the other AG kits as per the instructions and with no interference. Please do let us know how you get on with this one. Some tasting notes would be great!

 

[goodolpete]

I used half a teaspoon per 500ml bottle

Can anyone tell me how much to batch prime this brew with please?

 

[Covrich]

Can anyone tell me how much to batch prime this brew with please?

80-100 grams sugar should be fine

 

[goodolpete]

80-100 grams sugar should be fine

Thanks.
Pete