Drielander - Reviews
Coopers Real Ale | November 12th 2014 | |
Very nice - reminds me of De KoninckJust made this with 500g LDME and 500g glucose/dextrose. Fermented using kit yeast at 20 degrees (temp controlled using fridge and STC-1000), only took a week or so. Brewed slightly short to 22 liters. After 2 weeks in the bottle (5g/l bottling sugar) already very enjoyable indeed! Fruity but with a malty mouthfeel, well carbonated, decent lacing, not very bitter, easy drinking. Reminded me of Belgian (Antwerp) beer "De Koninck". Very curious to see how this turns out in a month or two - but I'm unsure if I can leave them for that long...
Edit 21 Nov: We're a few weeks later now and I'm happy to say this has evolved into an even nicer, very stable beer. Once again, top quality from Coopers! |
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Muntons Midland Mild Ale | November 12th 2014 | |
OK but nothing specialBrewed short as per advice from vendor (18l) using regular table sugar. Waited for 3 months before sampling (again as per advice from vendor): bit disappointing. Not very flavourful, to be honest (controlled fermentation temp was a bit low maybe, 18 degrees). No brew errors/off flavours though. However, I have to admit that dark beers are not my regular/preferred tipple, so I may be biased. As there are so many other good & great kits out there I like better, I won't be making this one again. Recommendation: add brew kit enhancer (500g glucose/dextrose and 500g or more of DME, especially if brewing to full 40 pints) |
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Coopers India Pale Ale (IPA) | November 12th 2014 | |
dry hopped with Cascade: amazingMade this with 1kg of LDME, no other fermentables, to 23 liters, fermented with supplied kit yeast at 20 degrees (temp controlled). Bottled after 15 days. Turned out at 4.3% ABV which is low for an IPA but within specs of this kit. Dry hopped with 33g of Cascade pellets (added as is -> not recommended: use muslin bag next time) for last 8 days of fermentation.
Turned out terrific! Will certainly make this again :) Cascade hops gave bitter lemon and grapefruit in the nose and initial taste, kit had sufficient bittering hops to compensate. Reminds me a little of the Fuller's IPA. After some months in the bottle, the initial Cascade hop 'punch' has diminished a bit, it's still there though. |
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Black Rock Nut Brown Ale | November 12th 2014 | |
Not badMade this with 500g of LDME and late sugar addition, fermented at 18 degrees, brewed short to 18l.
Still the mouthfeel of the beer is not very rich.
There is, however, a slightly nutty aftertaste.
On the whole, as for so many darker ales, this one wasn't really to my liking so I won't brew it again. |