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Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Saturday Jul 12, 2008 9:13 pm
by fil
Hey guys new to brewing, just wondering if anyone has tried the super market brand home brews. They always seem to be on special and people seem to be buying them too. Maybe with some hops added and some decent sugar and malt one could make a decent brew.
Who wants to take one for the team?
Cheers Fil
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Saturday Jul 12, 2008 9:44 pm
by homebrewer79
I get my Coopers kit from Coles because they are 2 or 3 $ cheaper than the HBS but thats as far as I'm willing to go. Also with any kit I do I always add more malt and hops as the kit's with just dextrose are never that good IMHO, more of a starting point for newbies
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Sunday Jul 13, 2008 5:50 pm
by bensfarm
i just put down a coopers druaght with brew enhancer 1.have a coopers aus pale ale and brew en 2 for next time in cupoard.
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Sunday Jul 13, 2008 9:50 pm
by fil
Hey guys I'm not sure you understood me. I was talking about the farmland and home brand brew kits, not the coopers kits.
Cheers Fil
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Sunday Jul 13, 2008 10:36 pm
by KEG
i've used two home brand lager kits to make a single batch lager, with saflager yeast. came out alright.
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Monday Jul 14, 2008 8:19 am
by Wassa
Hi guys, long time no post for me.
My father in law uses BiLo Lager as his staple brew and uses 15gm of SAAZ to dry hop.
It turns out to be a very drinkable quaffing beer. Keeping in mind that he uses between 650 and 750gm of white sugar to ferment with I am surprised but it actually turns out alright.
All the best.
Wassa
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Monday Jul 14, 2008 10:35 am
by James L
on of my first brews was a can or el-cheapp lager with a packet of brew enhancer 2 and 15g of saaz... its a great cheap beer if you need something quick...
mind you, i would never think of doing something like that anymore... that would be sacralicious now that i have bought all this AG gear...
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Monday Jul 14, 2008 11:52 am
by DJ
fil wrote:Hey guys new to brewing, just wondering if anyone has tried the super market brand home brews.
Cheers Fil
no
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Tuesday Jul 15, 2008 3:08 pm
by scblack
fil wrote:Hey guys new to brewing, just wondering if anyone has tried the super market brand home brews. They always seem to be on special and people seem to be buying them too. Maybe with some hops added and some decent sugar and malt one could make a decent brew.
Who wants to take one for the team?
Cheers Fil
Yes, I have used them. As long as you throw the kit yeast in the bin and use Saflager or Safale etc. quality yeasts, as well as malts, hops or grains as additions, not too much can go wrong with them.
They are cheap basic kits - add some quality ingredients and they can make very drinkable beer.
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Friday Jul 18, 2008 7:36 am
by petesbrew
I scored a handful of BiLo Draught cans earlier this year, and so far haven't had much luck with them, flavour wise.
I have one can left, but might just give it to my brother instead.
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Saturday Aug 23, 2008 7:32 pm
by bensfarm
thought just for fun today i got a homebrand lager + saunders liquid malt from woolies.made it to 20 litres used a mogans lager yeast i had in cupboard,sg 1041.will post what it's like when its a month old.
Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Saturday Aug 23, 2008 7:52 pm
by Chris
Homebrand kits are great, as long as you use quality yeast, add hops, and substitute quality malt for the homebrand can...

Re: Has Anyone Tried the Cheapies?
Posted: Tuesday Sep 09, 2008 10:11 am
by Lance
I have also found that if you only make them up to 20L instead of the recommended 23 and add some malt and hops you will also get more flavor.