More accurately identifying an extract kit labelled '...Real Ale'.

[Brewdomestix]

I have an extract kit in my fermenter which has consistently produced good to excellent results over 4-5 efforts.

This is the first time I have brewed said kit since I started recording details more comprehensively including use of the gravity range charts and ABV calculator (extremely useful, thank you, Brewer's Friend). However, this one has me stumped as to precisely which ale it actually is as I cannot find or match it in the gravity range charts.

As the company who produce this nor the range name showed up in searches, I am assuming that we don't advertise such here. I kind of got that impression from the T&Cs but I stand to be corrected.

So full title with blanks:
'Producer name in small print at base of tin (rear)' 'Range Name' & 'Real Ale' all in single title. Described as having a hop enhancement system (powdered hop extract - amount to be added according to taste after sugar(s) have been dissolved.
Almost certain to be 'English' as that is location of producer. Slight possibiility of close European neighbour, Belgium being top of that list.
Primary fermentation estimated at 4-6 days. I have known it look ready after 4 in the days before I took readings but left it to 6 as this was way quicker than any other kit I had used before.

ABV suggested on label: 4%.
No original or final gravity range given in instructions (but they can be misleading anyway i.e. a flat 1.006 across an entire range).

Recommended amount of brewing sugar: 1KG.
Actual amount used: 1.5KG - 1KG Beerkit Enhancer (Malt & Dextrose) + 500g Medium Spraymalt.

Original Gravity: 1.046 @ 22 degrees Centigrade.
Gravity Day 6: 1.020
Gravity Day 7: 1.016
Gravity Day 8: 1.015 (Today)

Narrowing it down as best I could from the Original Gravity charts I was drawn to:
17A) British Strong Ale (1,080-1.055) or 17B) Old Ale (1.088-1.055).

Taste wise it seems to me to be somewhere between an English Bitter and English IPA (which is nearer the OG range of but quite darker.

I have no experience whatsoever of Oud Bruin, Lambic, Gueze, Trappist Single, Gose or Roggenbier but my gravity readings match up better with those.

Any thoughts welcomed. If it is something basic/obvious I have overlooked please point it out.

 

[Donoroto]

Real ale is less a style than a brewing and serving method. It does not use external carbonation, and is served fresh out the barrel dispensed by gravity.

Some call it flat warm beer, but it has its charms.

Your kit us likely a brown ale, a bitter or a mild, all British beers.

 

[Brewdomestix]

Real ale is less a style than a brewing and serving method. It does not use external carbonation, and is served fresh out the barrel dispensed by gravity.

Some call it flat warm beer, but it has its charms.

Your kit us likely a brown ale, a bitter or a mild, all British beers.

Yes that sums it up, thanks - the title just doesn't say much at all does it.

I have tried plenty Brown Ale and Mild but it is nothing like either of any variants. The only other kit in this range which I also found somewhat different (probably down to not having hop enhancement) is titled 'Best Bitter'. So looking at the corresponding 11B) 1.048 - 1.040 / 1.012 - 1.008 and my readings this would suggest they are from the same family of beers.

 

[Steve SPF]

Some call it flat warm beer, but it has its charms.

Ouch! The slaughtering of a noble beer tradition...

We had a beer festival locally last week and that's exactly what they still do. In pubs and bars it's generally dispensed through a temperature controlled system via a beer engine which gives the creamy head we are generally looking for - or at least in the North. Those Southerners retain this weird tradition of beer with no head

 

[Brewdomestix]

Ouch! The slaughtering of a noble beer tradition...

We had a beer festival locally last week and that's exactly what they still do. In pubs and bars it's generally dispensed through a temperature controlled system via a beer engine which gives the creamy head we are generally looking for - or at least in the North. Those Southerners retain this weird tradition of beer with no head

Flew straight past this northerner I'm afraid. I like beer with a creamy head though. This one is middling in that respect tends to dissipate fairly quickly but lacing remains constant to the end and isn't bad just off the chill from the fridge either. The confessions of a heretic. I don't think I have kegged this one yet as it is quite strong and bitter so bottle it for small amounts at a time but refreshing to hear your positive account of the beer festival. IMHO it is good that these traditions survive for those who love them. It is only in more recent years I have learned to appreciate this kind of beer - had some that I didn't like but that's more down to personal taste than quality.

 

[MaxStout]

Could you list the ingredients? We might be able to determine the style based on that.

With an OG of 1.046, it's not a British Strong Ale or Old ale. If your FG is 1.015, that gives about 4% ABV, and 67% apparent attenuation. That attenuation seems a tad low, but with extract, you don't get to choose the mash temps. And the yeast may be less attenuative. At 4%, it could be a mild or ordinary bitter.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on the rules (as I'm new here), but I see no reason you can't identify the mfr. of the kit. Revealing that might help us determine what you have.

 

[Donoroto]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on the rules (as I'm new here), but I see no reason you can't identify the mfr. of the kit. Revealing that might help us determine what you have.

I am not a rules enforcer, but in my opinion just mentioning a company is not a problem. Online selling* and significant promotion is probably a pink line though.

*Doesn't mean "hey I can get that if you need it" type posts, where one party is doing a favor for the other.

 

[Brewdomestix]

Thanks for the help guys. I have just seen the list of brands and Munton's who make this kit is on it so I will take the flack if I am wrong in naming such. As pointed out; it does help.

'Tom Caxton Real Ale'. Ingredients were typically very basic, from memory along the lines of: Malt; Barley; Hops, Hop Extract in sachet (variety unspecified). It came with a standard size and variety of yeast but I substituted a sachet and a half of Munton's Gold as I was using quite a lot of malt. Roughly 38 pints seem to have just about finished the yeast.

Having brewed this one several times I know it is definitely not a Brown Ale nor a Mild as I brew/drink both of those intermittently. Far more like a Bitter but more complex than ordinary. Hence I initially assumed it was something different and went for Old/Strong Ale (overlooking the OG fitted Best Bitter range, This is also superior to the only other kit in the Tom Caxton range namely; 'Best Bitter'. It now seems obvious they are from the same family rather than very different - but they are different.

I continued the readings daily. I don't usually take them more often than every 48 hours but we had a sudden cold snap typical for November over here. I was correct to do the readings as the next two days went:

Day 9: 1.015
Day 10: 1.013

So taking my eyesight into consideration (today was a good day) the momentum has survived the cold and is on the cusp of the Best Bitter FG range [1.012-1.008]. It is going to be higher than 4% ABV too as I have always felt it was in the past - couple of pints is plenty.

 

[Brewdomestix]

Day 11: 1.013
Day 12: 1.013


Kegged and labelled simply 'Bitter' in the title bar. Style: Medium hopped real ale (Caxton's).