New to HB

[muppet]

Was given a HB kit for a gift a while back. Tried the gear that came with it. A Coopers tin(bad memory) and the Brew enhancer that was in there. Whilst drinkable found it to be quite plain and thought there has to be better then this. So I have now gone a purchased around 80 glass tallies, crown top, and am keen on improving.

Went to my new local HB store (my first I should add) as I have just moved and asked for something with a little more flavour then what I had made. He put me on to a Morgans Blue Mountain Lager + 500g Dex + 250g LDME + 250g powdered corn. I asked him about using hops and grain as I have read this on the net somewhere previous. He replied that I don't need them, just try to find a recipe that you like and stick to it.

My main question is what enhancement does the grain make to the beer and can I use grain in the above mix that I have stated, also what are the best hops to use and should I just stick to the basics? I really do want to make good taasting beer to consume at home.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

HB Muppet(at the moment)

[timmy]

Hey Muppet,

One of the things I discovered first was not to take the HBS guy's advice.....

The addition of grains will add some more authentic grain flavouring to your beer and allow you do change it's colour if you need to. The common grain addition for kits is crystal malt so you might want to try that (there is a sticky on here called 'Simple things to make HB better' that explains all of this).

One way I learnt was to think of one of my favourite commercial beers then attempt to clone it using the help of the guys on here. Once you realise what hop & grain additions can do you can start to branch out into your own recipes.

Cheers,

Tim

[Bizier]

I will say that steeping grain is easy, and it teaches you to not be scared to make real beer. Even if you only start with a tiny amount like 50g or 100g.

I would suggest that this is one of the best things you can do to make beer taste like beer and you will never look back or regret the little extra effort.

[muppet]

So what I am guessing is, that you can add grain to any brew. How does the grain improve the beer?

[Shaun]

Muppet who is the HBS? Some are better than others with the advise they give someone here may be able to point you to a better HBS in your area.

[warra48]

So what I am guessing is, that you can add grain to any brew. How does the grain improve the beer?

muppet, if you fill in your location someone will hopefully be able to guide you to a decent HB shop in your area.

Grains can add a maltier flavour, body, mouthfeel, complexity, freshness and interest to your brew. It also helps to minimise the proverbial kit or extract twang.

If you get the chance, taste an All Grain brew compared to a kit beer, and you'll really understand the difference.

[Gym_]

Yeah well you should have seen the terrified look on the face of my LHBS owner when I told him I was doing All Grain..

Looked like I just showed him a sawn off 12 gauge and told him to drop his pants..

I then asked him for liquid yeast and he told me in 20 yrs I was only the 4th person to ask for it .. ( Cough ** BS !!! )

Didn’t bother asking for grain and hops after that..

[Trough Lolly]

Don't get me started on "kit sellers"!

[muppet]

When I say new to HB I have done it in the past. Had a break for a fair while due to the beer being quite bland. The thing was that all I did was kit and kilo style beers. I would just go down to the shop buy a can and generally the liquid sugar and away I went. When I say new, I mean, new to the point that I want to improve and have a drop of beer that my mates go ahhh. So new as in experiment with grain, hops different malts and the like. Actually take my time and put some work into it.
A mate of mine told me about your site. He is not a contributer just a reader. So hear I am reading alot learning and enjoying myself. Expect a lot of questions in the future.
Thanks for you replies to date it has been great.

Cheers