Homebrew

jp_bl_68 · 29 Sep 2009 at 16:16

Any home-brewers here? I'm tempted to give it a go. Is it as difficult as it looks?

jp_bl_68 · 29 Sep 2009 at 16:29

Just found it - http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17861688&highlight=homebrew.

Cheers.

jp_bl_68 · 29 Sep 2009 at 16:51

Are you going to try mash for the next batch?

jp_bl_68 · 29 Sep 2009 at 17:41

If cold weather isn't a problem then I'll be brewing in my shed so no need to worry too much about spillage.

jp_bl_68 · 29 Sep 2009 at 20:25

I'm thinking about getting the Woodfordes Wherry Real Ale Starter Kit, it seems to get the thumbs up from just about everyone. How do you 'treat' your water?

jp_bl_68 · 29 Sep 2009 at 20:48

This beginners kit includes

* 25 Litre brewing bin
* paddle
* Syphon
* Steriliser
* Hydrometer
* Woodfordes Wherry beer kit
* 40 pint barrel

http://www.the-online-homebrew-comp...product_info.php?cPath=78_113&products_id=568

£60 for the set up and your first 40 pints seems like a good deal to me.

jp_bl_68 · 29 Sep 2009 at 21:14

I started looking at the lager kits but switched to ale as my Dad's an ale drinker and I'd like him to have a few pints if it turns out well.

jp_bl_68 · 30 Sep 2009 at 11:50

The kit you linked to comes with '1 gas charge + converter', is that an injector system for the keg?

jp_bl_68 · 30 Sep 2009 at 12:09

The kit I was looking at didn't come with one of those, it would've cost me at least another £20 to get one. Cheers.

Did you buy your kit from Brew UK?

jp_bl_68 · 30 Sep 2009 at 13:49

I think I'll do things the easy way for now. Cheers for the advice.

jp_bl_68 · 1 Oct 2009 at 00:54

A few people have recommended the Woodfordes Wherry starter kits. I ordered one of these a couple of hours ago - http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/index.php/micro/complete-woodfordes-starter-equipment-set.html.

jp_bl_68 · 1 Oct 2009 at 00:59

I'll try to resist.

jp_bl_68 · 29 Nov 2009 at 20:45

Did you disassemble the tap when sterilizing the keg?

jp_bl_68 · 1 Dec 2009 at 18:29

caff said:
Hmm, no I left the tap on when sterilising. I filled it to the brim and left it a day (then cleaned it out). No leaks at that point, so rinsed it out and filled it with beer.

Could the steriliser have damaged the tap?

No. I thought you might have removed it to clean it and then failed to reattach it properly.

I think you probably had the same problem as AcidHell2 ("I had that on my king keg. It didn't come tight enough"). You could try syphoning the beer back into the fv (be sure to sterilise first) and then see if you can fix the tap, or get a new keg, or bottle it. Might be worth asking here first - http://www.brew-it-yourself.co.uk/forum/phpBB2/index.php.

Good luck.

jp_bl_68 · 8 Dec 2009 at 21:50

You might be cutting it a bit fine. It takes about 10 days to ferment then a few more weeks to condition in the keg/bottles (recommended 6 weeks minimum). You might get away with it. I think a cold climate is supposed to be good for conditioning and it might speed up the process. Not sure though.

jp_bl_68 · 8 Dec 2009 at 21:51

Andr3w said:
Does it make the room smell?

I didn't notice any smell when making mine but I did cover it with a bin liner and a sleeping bag.

jp_bl_68 · 8 Dec 2009 at 22:07

Basic starter kit + 40 pint beer mix = ~£60

Each subsequent 40 pint kit costs ~£20 but it varies.

jp_bl_68 · 8 Dec 2009 at 22:08

http://www.the-online-homebrew-company.co.uk/