Brewferm Belgium Pils - Taste?

I do not know this kit, so I’ll speak more generally, and from experiences that are old and may no longer be true.

Liquid extract that sits on the shelf for a long time may oxidize and develop off flavors. Old extract darkens due to oxidation, and likely at least explains your color. Yeasts that come with canned extract kits that have sat on the shelf may also suffer from freshness issues, although dry yeast has a fairly long shelf life compared to liquid yeast. Yeast that comes with a canned extract kit may be ale yeast, not lager yeast, because beginners often have greater success with ale yeasts than lager yeasts. Instructions that come with canned extract kits are suspect. They present a simplified set of instructions, perhaps so as not to intimidate a newcomer, or perhaps because there is only so much instruction you can squeeze on the label of the product. Off the top of my head, these are my concerns, and could be what tripped you up.

 

To add to what @pweis909 says above:

- The kit appears to use pre-hopped extract, which is frankly not capable of making great beer.

- Going by the fermentation temperatures, this is not a true lager (pilsners are lagers).

- There was no post-fermentation lagering period.

The Brewferm kits appear to be similar to Mr. Beer kits, which is not good news IMO.

They were probably talking about "extract twang" or "homebrew twang," which is variously described as syrupy, caramelly, metallic, tangy, and/or cidery. The most typical common denominator with beers that purportedly have this "twang" is Liquid Malt Extract. It's probable that at least some of the descriptors ascribed to the "twang" are due to oxidation, which is a problem with Liquid Malt Extract (moreso than with Dry Malt Extract, and especially All Grain Ingredients).

Since you at new to home brewing, I recommend reading "How to Brew," either the free (but somewhat outdated) version at www.howtobrew.com or the more up to date printed version.

 

Regardless of whether the kit was within the expiration date or truly stale, the process of making extract results in darkening of the ingredient. It is very difficult to achieve a truly light colored beer with extract.

 

Liquid Malt Extract is oxidized immediately. More time results in more oxidation.

10C-12C is too warm for effective lagering.

 

The good reviews for this product also probably come from people who don’t know a lot about beer and also pride is a powerful ingredient. They are like “hey I made beer with the help of this kit let me rate it 5 stars”