I’ve just bottled my second beer kit. It was a Coopers blonde. It seems to be a lot darker than I would’ve expected. It this normal or have I done something wrong. Also can anyone recommend a kit where the beer is quite a bit lighter. Thank you
Dark blonde beer kit
- Thread starter AXW123
- Start date
Help Support The Homebrew Forum:
I did this kit some time ago and I don't think they get much lighter in colour, certainly in my experience. If you brew this kit again and assuming you use DME as a malt top up and want to keep the colour change to a minimum, I suggest you use light or even extra light DME. If you use amber DME or most liquid malt extract the colour will definitely darken. But if you only used sugar and no extra malt in your kit there's nothing you can do.
Hi!
All of my kit brews seemed to come out much darker than I expected.
All of my kit brews seemed to come out much darker than I expected.
MyQul
Chairman of the Bored
Even the stout?
Seriously though, I have a vague idea that the concentration process caramelizes (malliard reaction?) the wort
Even the stout?
Black pudding's very black today, Mother.
Yes, it is black today, dear.
Aye, that's very black, that is.
Yes, dear.
Even the white bits are black.
Ripping Yarns
Pirate_Pete
Landlord.
Must get a new shovel for Christmas. I would have to ask, was the tin in date?
I made one Pilsner which was out of date and it came out very dark.
I've made a Coopers English Bitter that was only just in date, and that was OK.
But I don't think I'd ever buy a Lager / light coloured beer that was out of date.
You know Howard, Howard Molson.
Yes, dear.
He's got a new shovel.
Oh.
It's a lovely shovel.
It's got a great big brass handle.
Oh, good.
You know what he's going to do? He's going to put it next to his other one.
Ripping Yarns
Seriously, I did obtain several out-of-date kits, so that probably explains it.
Shouldn't be such a tight-arsed skinflint.
Ah that would be it. I got some H&b malt extract after reading on here. That I shouldn’t use all sugar. We don’t have a homebrew shop in Guernsey and I wanted to get on with it. It tastes terrible so will probably have to bin it all.
Pirate_Pete
Landlord.
You know Howard, Howard Molson.
Yes, dear.
He's got a new shovel.
Oh.
It's a lovely shovel.
It's got a great big brass handle.
Oh, good.
You know what he's going to do? He's going to put it next to his other one.
Ripping Yarns
Seriously, I did obtain several out-of-date kits, so that probably explains it.
Shouldn't be such a tight-arsed skinflint.
I was thinking when I typed , that I checked my rain gauge this morning....
Hi!
I recommend H & B malt extract, but only in darker beers; it's excellent in English bitters, Wee heavies etc and, of course, stouts and porters.
I brewed an excellent Young's Scottish Heavy kit with H & B extract and a tin of black treacle.
Hi @Pirate_Pete
I wonder how many members of this forum have no idea what we're jabbering on about.
I wonder how many members of this forum have no idea what we're jabbering on about.
Pirate_Pete
Landlord.
I use light dry malt extract in my lagers. I also tend to steep some grain in them. They always come out darker than "shop bought" lager, but tastier.
I've sort of got used to the pay off between taste and colour.
I don't think I've ever seen extra light dry malt extract.
Just a thought, but here in Australia I buy 20 kg bags of malt. I then split it into one kilo bags and it's lasts me a bit over a year.
Would it be more cost effective for you to order a big bag?
Pirate_Pete
Landlord.
Like @BigCol I often use H&B own brand LME. I add it to some kits and also for small extract brews. In my opinion there's nothing wrong with it, provided you are making a certain type of beer like a bitter. But it does come up amber. Personally I would leave the beer to condition and see what it turns out like. Beers change with time and this may improve to your taste, but if not well chuck it, or alternatively you have the basis for 40 litres of shandy.....
Pete, we can get it in the UK, from this supplier at least.
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.co.uk/spraymalt-extra-light-500g-p-1054.html[/QUOTE]
So having Listened to you guys I decided not to throw this away. I have put it outside to lager in the cold. However I did taste some tonight it is beautifully clear and actually getting better - the repulsive twang is starting to turn into a slightly interesting flavour. I am going to ignore it for a month - so maybe there is hope for it yet.
Pirate_Pete
Landlord.
I know with the Coopers Euro Lager and the (I think) the 86 Day Pilsner that Coopers recommend putting it away for 12 weeks before drinking.
I don't think they do for the Blonde, but maybe with what you added that's what's needed.
I still have a case or so of a Pilsner I made. It was not good a couple of months ago, and I should have chucked it,
but I'm thinking of putting one in the fridge every so often to drink after mowing the lawn. Then have a decent beer after.
*had one as my first beer after work. It's not good!
I don't think they do for the Blonde, but maybe with what you added that's what's needed.
I still have a case or so of a Pilsner I made. It was not good a couple of months ago, and I should have chucked it,
but I'm thinking of putting one in the fridge every so often to drink after mowing the lawn. Then have a decent beer after.
*had one as my first beer after work. It's not good!
Last edited:
Across the Andes by Frog!!
Curse of the Claw!!
And, the one with the local footie team superfan .....
Why did you call our son Barnstonworth?
He's got another name
Aye,...United!
Pete
I have now done the Euro lager and the 86 day Pilsner, with the same Motueka hop top-up. My preference, side by side, is definitely the Euro lager. The IBUs in the can are 490 vs. 340 Pilsner vs. Euro lager, and maybe that's what's making the difference for me. Sadly I've got another Pilsner in my store to brew
