Beer Making Kits

Beer kitshave become very popular for making beer at home since it was legalised during the 20th century in most of the world. In the UK, home brewing was completely legalised for personal use in 1963 when the previously ruling 1880 five shilling homebrewing license was removed. Today it is free (of alchol duty) and legal to make any quantity of fermented alcohol for your own use in the UK.

What is a beer kit?

A beer kit typically contains liquid or dry (spray dried) malt extract which when diluted with water produces wort. The extract is normally hopped, which removes the need for boiling it with hops. Kits with lower malt content (usually up to 1.8kgs) require sugar addition. The "all malt" style kits containing 3kgs or more (to make 23 litres) normally need no sugar to be added and will produce a higher quality beer. Always check ingredients list though, it should say malt extract and nothing else (no sugar syrup, barley syrup or anything with sugar - in that case you have a cheaper beer kit dressed up as an exclusive one).

Beer enhancers improve quality

It is possible to use "normal" quality beer kits - 1 to 1.8kg malt extract per 23 litres - and add a brewing enhancer, which is a mix of dried malt extract and brewing sugar (and sometimes also maltodextrin to achieve more body). This will produce a high quality beer from a normal kit and it allows you to adjust the recipe by using different enhancers.

Finishing hops for the final touch

Although most beer making kits of today come pre-hopped, you can obtain a fresher hop taste by adding a small hop infusion, normally in a tea bag. This is not the same as the main hop addition, it will not produce the main bitterness, but it will produce that last freshness and it is a means of varying the beers using the same kit but different finishing hops.

Milestone Crusader

Milestone Crusader

A Blonde Belgium Style Beer, Crisp Clean
3kg kit no fermenting Sugar needed

Makes 40 pints / 5 gallons

Milestone Lions Pride

Milestone Lions Pride

A well Balanced Copper Coloured

Session Ale.
3kg kit no fermenting Sugar needed
Makes 40 pints / 5 gallons

Woodfordes Beer Kits

Milestone Imperial Pale Ale

Woodfordes Wherry 40 pint

Amber in colour with a golden syrupy flavour that binds a well-balanced, classic, creamy bitter. A find blend of hops, bitterness and fruit gives a light but complex feel. A long, consistent finish, with little flavour loss. As an all malt beer kit NO fermenting sugar is required

Woodfordes Admirals Reserve 40 pints Woodfordes Great Eastern Ale 40 pint

The blend of pale and lager malts brings an initial light maltiness that complements the fruity bitterness of English hops. Inherent sweetness, with a long, malty finish. As an all malt beer kit NO fermenting sugar is required.

Woodfordes Admirals Reserve 40 pints Woodfordes Nelsons Revenge 36 pint

Nelson's Revenge is a delicious, full flavoured premium bitter specially developed by WA full-bodied pale amber beer with the rich flavour of Dundee cake. Sultana fruitiness is balanced by a hoppy bitterness, to give a full, but light feel. The finish continues to develop into a warm, mellow glow. As an all malt beer kit NO fermenting sugar is required.

Woodfordes Headcraker 24 pint

Pale copper colouring and a mellow nose are pleasantly deceptive. A full-bodied plummy flavour with a palatably bitter edge. Continues to a mature maple finish to the end of the glass. As an all malt beer kit NO fermenting sugar isrequired.

Woodfordes Nog 40 pint

This reddish beer has an initial explosion of roast malt bitterness. This settles down, as a malty sweetness makes its presence felt. Maintains a dominant roast dryness to the end. As an all malt beer kit NO fermenting sugar is required.

Muntons Beer Kits

Barley Wine -An extra strong beer for the special occasion - drink unchilled to fully appreciate its rich body and flavour. OG 1060° to 1064°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	27 - 33
Bitterness (EBU's)	45 - 55
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Old Ale -Rich and warming with an unmistakable "aged" flavour - this beer should ideally be served in nips. OG 1060° to 1064°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	27 - 33
Bitterness (EBU's)	45 - 55
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

American Style Light Beer - A gentle delicate light lager, subtly flavoured yet refreshing to the full. OG 1036° to 1040°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	4 - 8
Bitterness (EBU's)	18 - 27
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Scottish Style Heavy Ale - Full bodied satisfyingly dark with good hoppy overtones. OG 1036° to 1040°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	50 - 60
Bitterness (EBU's)	45 - 55
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Irish Style Stout - Very dark and very hoppy, a rich beer of great character - serve chilled. OG 1036° to 1040°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	225 - 275
Bitterness (EBU's)	50 - 60
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Premium Pilsner - Light and delicate, this pilsner is a great thirst quencher. OG 1036° to 1040°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	4 - 7
Bitterness (EBU's)	25 - 35
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Premium Lager -Golden crisp beer popular in northern Europe.

Light and refreshing. OG 1036° to 1040°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	8 - 12
Bitterness (EBU's)	25 - 35
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Midland Mild Ale - A dark sweet yet subtle beer brewed to quench the thirst and satisfy the hunger. OG 1036° to 1040°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	90 - 100
Bitterness (EBU's)	17 - 23
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Premium Bitter - Classic English pub bitter -well balanced and full of taste. England's favourite beer. OG 1036° to 1040°.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	27 - 33
Bitterness (EBU's)	45 - 55
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%

Cerveza -A gentle, delicate light lager subtly flavoured, refreshing to the full.


Typical analyses when canned


Colour (EBC Units)	8 - 12
Bitterness (EBU's)	45 - 55
Solids (by refractometer)	80% - 82%
Acidity (as lactic)	1% max
pH	5 - 6
Free Amino Nitrogen	0.15%