Black & Tan that Kicked butt

[paul84043]

I have been talking about this Black and Tan kit that I buy from my local homebrew store, it's not a true B&T, it's an all in one kit, but the first one went over so well, I had to make it again.

I prepared it normally, used oxygen, let the yeast get a good 4 to 6 hour head start (White Labs Pitchable Tube).

This little badboy went to TOWN...I couldn't believe it.

It was in the fermenter for only 6 days and it's now in bottles. (we bottled last night)
My O.G. was about 1.044, not a high gravity beer by any means. But the kicker was my F.G. was 1.006, the lowest I have seen yet. In only 6 days! This beer blew right past 4 other batches that I prepared after it.
The beer tastes even better than the first batch, the fermentation was extremely thorough, no aftertastes at all (the first batch could have aged for a few weeks more than it did). The flavor is right where it should be. I'm really happy with this beer. I am actually thinking about getting another, just to have some on the shelf, because I know that this batch is going to vanish in record time!
This is definitely one that will be on my shelf whenever possible...

It's nice when things work out like that ocasionally!

[Tweek]

Starters Rule!

That is a kick ass fg. that matches the best I have ever gotten as well, mine was on a wheat which is expected to ferment out hard on a stout that is impressive. Grats!

[YamahaXS]

got a link to the place you bought the kit? or a recipe?

[paul84043]

It's a local shop called The Beer Nut www.beernut.com
It's nothing really special, thier kits are pretty basic but seem to be well thought out. Plus there's no shipping for me!!
I talked to the guy that assembled this kit originally and he actually admitted that he hadn't even had a chance to test it, things were so rushed at that particular point. I guess pure luck has something to do with it...

If you're into heavy, bitter, stuff like that, this isn't the kit for you, but I have converted several friends to my homebrew with this beer...call it a "gateway beer". It's very easy to drink, great flavor without being overpowering in any particular way. I was impressed with its smoothness from the first taste. Its most dominant flavor is probably coffee, then malt. It would be really easy to tweak to your particular tastes though.

If I had to guess, I would say there's about 1/2 pound of Roasted barley and that's pretty much it for the grains....it uses Coopers Malt Extract, 6 pounds, I think. Then the White Labs British Ale yeast.

Edit:

I think the hops were Northern Brewer, probably one ounce, for the boil, and Saaz for the finish. I think the Saaz add alot of depth and character to the beer.
Very simple kit, probably fantastic for a newbie like myself to build some confidence on...