Anyone done home brewing?

Glaucus

Glaucus

Glaucus

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Joined
11 Mar 2004
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I've done it a few times :). Now with summer fast approaching its time for the first batch. I've had mixed results before. But got my new flat sorted and looking to up the game.
I'm looking for a pressure barrel for the 2nd fermentation stage thingy. With a tap init so I don’t have to bother with bottle or pouring it out.

Anyone used either of these? or have any other recommendations?
http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item842.htm
although it's 6 gallons? is that to much room at top seeing as Im only doing 5 gallons?

Also I’m looking for a heater but a bit confused how you put it in the fermentation barrel whilst maintaining a seal?
http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item731.htm
Do you have to cut a hole in the lid and fit it? is that what the rubber thing is for ?
or would a heater belt be easier?

Also anyone recommend any Pilsner beer kits? I generally go for Muntons beer kits, just wondered if any one made any really tasty Pilsner before?

Humm just a few questions LOL


EDIT - Links dont work hang on..
 
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I did a few beer kits out of tins and in those grow bag things that you just add water to but they were crap.

Had most success with the spirit kits like peach schnapps and Baileys.
 
The only heaters I knew of were heated matts that sit underneath the demijohn. As for pressure barrels, I don't bother with them, or the heater for that matter. I leave a 5 gallon barrel with an airlock in our laundry room (which is rather warm).Last batch I made up was strong cider (12%) using nothing but tescos apple juice and added some sugar!
 
I did a few of the beer kits a while back.
The first two or three were pants but the last two or three were pretty good once I'd got the hang of it.

The most important thing is to make sure that everything is properly sterilised. If you don't then the brew will be contaminated and not ferment properly.

As for the heater, if it's the same as the one I had then yes, make a hole in the lid which the bung will fit snugly in.

Try not to rush things, do it properly, make sure everything is properly sterilised and don't bottle it or put it in a pressure barrel (better than bottles, by the way) until it's completely ready.

I found the best time for drinking it was between 6 weeks and 6 months of bottling/barrelling.

Good luck and if it works out well, send me a bottle ;)

Stan :)
 
yep sterlization is a big thing allready got a 500gr jar of good sterilizer :)...
well I think I'll go with that barrel and a wrap heater, no holes need cutting then and see how it goes. Unfortunatley wont be ready for the ocuk gt3 meet. Ahh well only made ales before this will be the first time made larger type...
 
AcidHell2 said:
yep sterlization is a big thing allready got a 500gr jar of good sterilizer :)...
well I think I'll go with that barrel and a wrap heater, no holes need cutting then and see how it goes. Unfortunatley wont be ready for the ocuk gt3 meet. Ahh well only made ales before this will be the first time made larger type...
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I always used the cheapo Boots baby sterilising stuff (recommended by my parents who make about 100 gallons of wine a year) - it's much cheaper than the "recommended" brands and worked a treat for me :)

Stan :)
 
Bigstan said:
I always used the cheapo Boots baby sterilising stuff (recommended by my parents who make about 100 gallons of wine a year) - it's much cheaper than the "recommended" brands and worked a treat for me :)

Stan :)
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any idea why the pressure barrel has an s30 vavle fitting wich allows attachment of a sodastream cylinda. I've always bottled before and the 2nd fermentation gives it its fizz. Or is it just to do with getting it to pour out the keg? :confused:
 
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AcidHell2 said:
any idea why the pressure barrel has an s30 vavle fitting wich allows attachment of a sodastream cylinda. I've always bottled before and the 2nd fermentation gives it its fizz. Or is it just to do with getting it to pour out the keg? :Confused:
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Pressurising the keg has two uses:

1) it helps push the beer out
and
2) By causing a positive pressure with CO2, you are ensuring that no oxygen or contaminents can enter the barrel, thus ensuring that the brew is fresh and clean.

Beer from a pressure barrel tends to be less fizzy than bottled beer which is good for bitter/ale but probably not for lager as this tends to be fizzier (not a lager drinker so I'm not too sure about that side of things :o ).

Stan :)
 
Bigstan said:
Pressurising the keg has two uses:

1) it helps push the beer out
and
2) By causing a positive pressure with CO2, you are ensuring that no oxygen or contaminents can enter the barrel, thus ensuring that the brew is fresh and clean.

Beer from a pressure barrel tends to be less fizzy than bottled beer which is good for bitter/ale but probably not for lager as this tends to be fizzier (not a lager drinker so I'm not too sure about that side of things :o ).

Stan :)
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humm that seems to make sense..

Think I might get a book as well.
 
AcidHell2 said:
humm that seems to make sense..

Think I might get a book as well.
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I used to have an excellent book but I can't find it - or for the life of me remember what it was called :(
It was quite an old book so it wasn't up to date with modern techniques but was very good for the basics.
If I find it or remember what it was called, i'll let you know :)

Stan :)
 
Bigstan said:
I used to have an excellent book but I can't find it - or for the life of me remember what it was called :(
It was quite an old book so it wasn't up to date with modern techniques but was very good for the basics.
If I find it or remember what it was called, i'll let you know :)

Stan :)
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hey thanks :). They probably an updated verison if you can find it :)...
 
just ordered a pressure Keg, heater, muntons gold contentital Pilsner and a brewing book(free delivery over £60).... Wahoo can't wait to get this puppy brewing...
 
Well I started brewing it jsut now, took some picks but my cameras fubard and just crashes my comp when I try to transfer them :(...

Rich1988 said:
what equipment and stuff do you need to brew beer or cider?
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All you need is a

Demijohn
Pressure barrel or glass bottles (need to withstand a lot of pressure).
some flexi tube fore syphoning
and sterlizing agents.

Then just select you'r kit and off you go.

If you'r intrested this is a good starting kit.
http://www.leylandhomebrew.com/item1033.htm

just buy a seprate cider or beer kit.
 
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