Home brewing kit

[wonare1one]

I'm entering in a beer brewing contest at work and was given a store bought home brewing kit. I would like to know what are some items I can add to the kit to give a more robust flavor and run away with this competition. All advice will be truly appreciated

 

[DoubleAught]

What type of beer will the kit brew? That will help in knowing what "extras" can be done with it.

 

[wonare1one]

What type of beer will the kit brew? That will help in knowing what "extras" can be done with it.

It's a Pale Ale

 

[DoubleAught]

Does the kit have hops to boil into the wort? If so you could dry hop it with a nice cascade hop. If all the kits are the same that would set it apart from all the others. Also make sure it's kept around 65 degrees for a minimum of 3 weeks. If the other contestants don't know brewing basics keeping it at a constant temp will set it apart from the others as well.

 

[wonare1one]

It has a Hopped malt extract, about a tsp of brewing yeast, and a 12.5 oz of alcohol and body booster. I wanted to maybe add some more dry hops and maybe coffee beans or grapefruit peel to give it a more citrus flavor. Any suggestions?

 

[DoubleAught]

Cascade hops have a citrus(y) grapefruit type of flavor. That would be my choice to dry hop it with, 1 oz for 5 gallons I think would be good, for about 5 days before you bottle. I'm not sure about the coffee. Ive never tasted coffee in an ale so Im no help there.