Purchased one of the two-packs that are currently on offer.
Anyone else ever brewed this?
Rather than using the 2 cans to make a 23L batch, I've used one can to make an 11L batch.
In keeping with some other kits, the (somewhat limited) instructions don't tell you to check the starting SG.
I did ( as usual ) and found that it was just over 1.042
As the finishing OG is supposed to be around 1.014, by my calculations that would mean it would only be about 3.8% ABV...about half what a normal Bock would be.
No mention of needing to add sugar/spraymalt, so I didn't.
Am I missing something?
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Double-checked my calculations & it still comes back as about 3.8% ABV.
Granted it's a different kit, but the Brewferm Oranje Bock lists theirs as having a starting SG of 1.054 & a finishing SG of about 1.01 ( for around 5.75-6% ABV )
I've decided to bite the bullet & chuck in 500g of spraymalt to see what that does.
Used a dark spraymalt, simply because it was already open.
According to the instructions fermentation's supposed to take about 10 days, but as I said, it's not the first time I've had this happen - a big drop after 1 or 2 days then it stops.
Gave it a good stir yesterday, checked it this morning & it's still 1.02 .... guess I'll have to try some different yeast to see if that does anything.
Can't recall where I read it, but don't the Black Rock kits use Mangrove Jack's yeast ?
The good news is that there's still some frothing & pressure build-up in the bucket, so it is doing something, but what remains to be seen.
It's just a shame they only give the potential finishing SG, with no starting SG or ABV.
What they don't give is the starting SG or the potential ABV, so you've got no idea how well the brew went
As the main Black Rock website has a 'contact us' section, I've asked them if they have starting SGs and/or potential %ABV for their various brew kits.
Not holding out much hope of a helpful reply, but if you don't ask....
Rule of thumb - 1 can extract into 23 L = 1.022 SG = approx. 2% ABV depending on fermentation characteristics
Standard cider make-up (1 can cider + 1kg sugar) = starting SG of 1040
Maibock instruction is to makeup 2 cans which would give a starting gravity of 1.042, instructions state an end SG of approx.. 1014…we believe this should be 1.008 – 1.014 which would give an alcohol of 3.7 – 4.5% ABV. On the can ii states for a traditional brew use 3 cans which should give an ABV of 6.4 – 7.2% depending on fermentation.
Combined with a good daily stirring, the SG's now down to 1.012 ( about 5.5% ABV )
Lots of suspended sediment at the moment, don't know if it'll clear naturally or if I'll have to resort to adding finings
Don't think it'll get any lower.
Added some finings to it & will bottle it next week.
For want of a better description, it was very tangy & malty, with a noticable kick to it.
Possibly it'll mellow over the next few months, but I'd be quite happy if it didn't.
Definitely one I'll be making again, but next time I'll use 3 cans - as recommended - and may leave out the spraymalt ( or may add LME instead of DME )