Youngs - American Pale Ale

This kit is relatively new, as I understand it the range was only released a number of weeks ago. My LHBS manager received some samples of brewed beer from Youngs and he was very impressed. His opinion is usually held in high regard so I took his word and bought this kit.

As I have only just put it on I will post about my initial thoughts and check back in with updates as the brew progresses.

On opening the box, it is not a 2 can kit as I had initially been led to believe from the size of the box (and the cost). Inside is a foil pouch which holds the malt extract, and a bag of brewing sugar. Note the foil pouch is very hard to get the extract out of... if you heat it in boiling water it'll come out much more easily. I know for next time.

The kit comes with a 20g yeast sachet, which is considerably more than most kits, and has helped get the ferment off to a very vigorous start without the need for rehydration. It has settled down to a fairly comfortable ferment at 20 degrees and should be finished by about day 7-8.

As I dropped my hydrometer before I could get an SG, I will be unable to calculate an ABV on this one, but the kit says that it produces anything between 5.4 - 5.6%.

I will update this when the process is finished and the all important taste test is carried out.

Cheers

What weight was the pouch? I assumed these were all 2 can kits!

I'm not sure... online retailers are advertising it as having 3.6kg of "hopped malt extracts" but this may include the kilo or so of brewing additive. I will reserve judgement until the taste test but I was a little surprised when I opened it!

Surely if it says on the box that it's hopped malt extract then they can't include a KG of unhopped dried malt in that can they?

This is my next brew, it's a bit like Sierra Narvada apparently.

It's fermenting like a good un now, seriously in danger of climbing out of the bucket! It has a lovely golden colour to it and a very yeasty smell. Will leave it to ferment out and bottle it next week when I get back from my trip.

Surely if it says on the box that it's hopped malt extract then they can't include a KG of unhopped dried malt in that can they?

Sounds like you would know better than me... you're talking to a novice here.

My razorback has almost gone and my Evil Dog is ready for kegging.

Sounds like an excuse to purchase the APA tomorrow!

Are the hops in tea bags like the Evil Dog kit is?


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As far as I can see it is pellets. I haven't opened the pack yet. I'll be adding them tonight.

Yep, looks like pellets. I'm doing mine this weekend.

Mine went in two days ago so will bottle tomorrow.

have you had a sneaky taste yet, quality control wise

Cheers,
Jon.

Managed to resist, largely due to the green slick of hops on the surface! doesn't look too appetising!

Smells great though, very citrussy. Going to bottle it at the weekend so will have a snifter then.

I finally got round to bottling this at the weekend... it's fantastic. Had a sneaky snifter from the syphon and although it's still flat, it's lovely. Can't wait to get stuck into this one!!!

Opened a few of these at a barbecue at the weekend and handed them round.. I have convinced two more of my mates to get into brewing on the back of this beer. It's really special.

Taste is a full on citrus hoppy explosion which is backed up with a light malty caramelly after taste. Carbonated nicely in just a week too. This is just my type of beer, it isn't going to last long...

Yummy! Still not got around to doing mine.

Get it on Lee. It'll be a cracking summer drink.

Going to do it tonight.

Mines been in the FV 3 weeks today & its still bubbling slowly. went to take a hydro reading but couldn't due to it still having some krausen on top. it smells real nice, just wish it would hurry up & finish so i can get it kegged.

Mine was a long ferment - took 22 days to ferment out with the temperature set to 21-22degrees.
Been bottled for a couple of weeks now, already cracked a couple (couldn't resist) and it tastes great.
I've not done a side by side comparison, but it does seem very close to Sierra Nevada. Very impressed.

Just boiled my first extract brew (Summer Lightning clone), but it'll have to be good to match kits of this quality.

Mine was a long ferment - took 22 days to ferment out with the temperature set to 21-22degrees.
Been bottled for a couple of weeks now, already cracked a couple (couldn't resist) and it tastes great.
I've not done a side by side comparison, but it does seem very close to Sierra Nevada. Very impressed.

Just boiled my first extract brew (Summer Lightning clone), but it'll have to be good to match kits of this quality.

I think it's nicer than Sierra Nevada.. I bought a couple of bottles to compare and in blind taste tests 4 out of 5 of my mates preferred the Youngs! it's a bit fruitier and more rounded than SN.

How long did you leave it conditioning?

Mine bubbling away steadily @20degC. Looks like it's going to be a slow ferment too.

About a week after fermenting finished and another week dry hopping.

And it was drinkable straight away?

It was perfectly drinkable (although flat and room temperature) straight away, although after a week conditioning it was very tasty.

As time has passed the intense citrus hit of the hops has mellowed to create a more rounded, totally delicious beer. I'm off to get another one of these cuase I'm already half way through this batch!