Dark blonde beer kit

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AXW123

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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
 
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.
 
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

:laugh8: 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I made one Pilsner which was out of date and it came out very dark.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But I don't think I'd ever buy a Lager / light coloured beer that was out of date.
 
:laugh8: Must get a new shovel for Christmas.
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Seriously, I did obtain several out-of-date kits, so that probably explains it.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. :D
 
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.
 
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Seriously, I did obtain several out-of-date kits, so that probably explains it.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. :D

I was thinking when I typed , that I checked my rain gauge this morning....:laugh8:
 
I’ve just started a simply lager with extra light dme and that looks a lot better. It’s a steep learning curve.
 
I got some H&b malt extract after reading on here
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.
 
I’ve just started a simply lager with extra light dme and that looks a lot better. It’s a steep learning curve.
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?
 
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.
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.....
 
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.
 
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!
 
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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!
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 asad1
 
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