Some total newb questions:
I just got this Caribou Slobber extract kit as a gift and will be brewing it as my first batch (as soon as I decide on a brew kettle). I can't help but want to modify it though (probably from all these years of modifying vehicles). I tend to like bigger beers.
It came with the Danstar Windsor Ale yeast. I asked the person that got it for me how long it had been sitting around before he gave it to me: "no more than a month or two," so the yeast is probably dead. I happen to have an extra Wyeast 1968 London ESB yeast in the fridge. What might be the difference in using that instead of the previously mentioned Safale US-05?
Northern Brewer's description of both:
Wyeast 1968: "rich, malty character and balanced fruitiness. This strain is so flocculant that additional aeration and agitation is needed"
US-05: "Produces well-balanced beers with low diacetyl and a very clean, crisp palate."
Danstar Windsor Ale: "produces a beer that is estery to both palate and nose with a slight fresh yeasty flavor. These are usually described as full-bodied, fruity English ales. Depending on the substrate, the Windsor demonstrates moderate attenuation that will leave a relatively high gravity (density). "
The other add-on options for yeast that you can get with this kit are the Wyeast 1332 Northwest Ale (Produces a malty and mildly fruity ale with good depth and complexity) and White Labs WLP041 Pacific Ale (The yeast will clear from the beer well, and leave a malty profile. More fruity than WLP002, English Ale Yeast. Good yeast for English style ales including milds, bitters, IPA, porters, and English style stouts).
I also got a 1000ml yeast starter, so I plan to add that to the process as well.
One other thing I was considering: adding some dry hops to the secondary fermenter. Bad idea? If not, which hop would you recommend? The kit comes standard with an ounce each of US Goldings, Willamette and Liberty.
I know, I probably shouldn't mess with modifying things with my first ever batch, but I'm not sure I can help myself.