Muntons


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Muntons are one of the biggest producers of malt for the brewing industry in the UK. Something that distinguishes Muntons from other maltsters is their pronounced interest in the homebrew market. Since I began making homebrew beer in c.1992 Muntons products have always been present on the shelves of homebrew shops. Today they are without doubt the largest manufacturer of kits in the UK. In fact it is Muntons plc, who under licence, produce many other familiar brands available from all the major outlets. The list includes Woodforde’s, St.Peter’s, Milestone, Geordie, Tom Caxton, Edme and of course Muntons own brand beer kits.

Muntons own brand products are divided into four ranges - Premium, Gold, Premium Gold and Connoisseurs. Altogether Muntons make about thirty different beer kits and one cider kit. I have only had time to try a fraction of these, so I cannot attest to whether they are always guaranteed to be a good buy. I’m sure that across such a wide range of products some are bound to be noticeably better.

People who’ve been brewing for years will notice Muntons have recently attempted to improve upon an old fashioned styling which they’ve carried for too long. Most notably they have modernised their logo script and seriously developed their website. However one thing they cannot easily change is their choice of product names. Muntons products never have short and snappy names that trip off the tongue. With some products having names consisting of up to seven words, they’re more like tongue twisters. I understand this is due to the fact they produce so many different ranges however I still find it awkward to say a beer name that has six or more words, for example, “Muntons Premium Gold Midas Touch Golden Ale”. To compound the problem these names are often inscribed upon the packaging using an muddle of conflicting typefaces.