homebrewandbeer.com

Nine weeks ago I followed the Coopers recipe for "Irish style beer with widget" which incorporated 300g of Golden Syrup. Last night I did a comparo with a can of Kilkenny.

There was little (none) sign that the Golden Syrup had been added. My HB was smooth with great flavour. Against the Kilkenny the most noticeable difference was in head retention - as I usually drink directly from the stubby I only lightly carbonate - and mouthfeel.

The Kilkenny was definitely smoother and at first sip more balanced though the HB had a better nose. As I passed the halfway mark my preference began to move from the Kilkenny to the HB.

For what its worth, I'd recommend giving this brew a go. Its easy and once its had some time for the flavours to come together and settle down, not a bad drink

Jeff,

As has been discussed before, it's impossible to get the "widget" consistency if you're homebrewing, unless you keg and use nitrogen. You can apparently get pretty close to the feel with a special fitting for your tap.

But it sounds like you've nailed a fair clone.

Would you mind posting the recipe?

Cheers,

Oliver

After re-reading my first post I realise the word "smooth" doesn't mean what I was trying to say - perhaps "more creamy" better describes the Kilkenny.

Oliver, the recipe was on a Coopers flyer found in my local supermarket:

1 Can of Coopers Draught kit
1 kg of Coopers Brew Enhancer #1
300g Golden Syrup
throw in fermenter, fill to 23 L and add yeast

As you often do, I left the brew in the fermenter for two weeks before bottling. As I prefer to drink from the stubby, I only carbonated lightly

Another simple kit recipe on this subject I find the Morgans Kilkenny come up tops.
Morgans Royal Oak Amber Ale
1kg Ultrablend
.15kg Dextrose
12g Fuggles hops (teabagged)
My fav brew at the moment. Not exactly kilkenny but a yummy brown. Previous batches have been in bottles but this one I have in a keg from which I seem to be now getting that nice creamy head just from a bit less carbonation. Good beer.