Malt Shovel Oatmeal Stout

[ozcah]

Hiya,

Brewcraft in SA has a sale on at the moment and I can get this as a twin pack on special. I've never tried a Malt Shovel kit and am keen on trying the stout but I've noticed not too many people on this site have tried it.

Has any one got any comments on this kit?

I did notice that someone mentioned that Malt Shovel kits can be a bit sweet so if you have any suggestings on the type of hop to use to add some bitterness to it that would be good.

Also someone suggested adding chocolate to the fermenter. Any idea what the story to that is?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Catchya
Oscar

[Chris]

Haven't made the kit before, but a stout is always better with fuggles, willamette, goldings, perle, etc.

And if you want to add chocolate, use unsweetened 'bakers cocoa.'

Bourneville cocoa at the supermarket does a good job.

[corks]

i wasnt impressed with this kit, it wasnt even approaching a good level of bitterness. definitely go with some hops, else it'll be a non-event. also it came out a bit watery, so add something for that, malt or something.

i have one sitting at a mate's house, thinking of doing it to 15l with a kilo of Milo. it was free so meh.

[111222333]

How much did you make it up to last time corks, and how many kits did you put in, coz one of the malt shovel kits is designed to be made to 11.5L.

[grunthos]

i have one sitting at a mate's house, thinking of doing it to 15l with a kilo of Milo. it was free so meh.

I *gotta* try this. Will report back.

[Kevnlis]

Would be inbterested to hear a tale of a "Milo Stout" that was drinkable. All the stories I have heard have been to the effect of "worst thing that ever passed my lips".

[grunthos]

All,

I did what I said - and it turned out OK!

Recipe:

1xCan Malt Shovel Oatmeal Stout
460g Non-Malty Milo
Kit Yeast (rehydrated)

Made to 12L
Pitched Yeast at 28 degrees C

OG 1060
FG 1022
Alc: ~5.6%

Put down on 25th October @ 1060
27th October: 1024
1st Nov: 1022
5th Nov: 1022.

Bottled.

Colour is a dark brown like an IPA/English Real ale
Taste: not overpowering, mild chocolate taste head retention ~5-7 mins.
Honestly, this is very unlike a stout, more a heavy bitter.
Still a bit young I guess, hopefully will mature over time.

Had a mate try a blind taste test before I said what was in it - he liked it and he's a fussy bleeder.

So, give it a go.

Cheers.

[grunthos]

This thing is getting better now. Chocolatey taste is mellowing out a lot and the brew has a nice bitter tang to it. The head is brownish but stays throughout the whole schooner.
luvverly!
(if I say so myself)