How to brew your own beer

[p4radox]

Thanks for the guide. I'll definitely be trying this over the summer.

 

[ste_bla]

Worth checking ill pop down and take a look tomorrow. Although a specialist shop would be cheaper if you have one near buy or would it?

Yes but if your wanting something ASAP might be worth a go

 

[pitchfork]

I know a mate who brews his own beer from an arkells kit.
My god, doesn't half give you the ****s.

 

[Haircut]

We did this when I was at uni, we named it 'Excalibeer - The beer of ancient kings'
Tasted pretty nice and got you absolutely wrecked so it was good all round.

 

[shr3k]

I checked the keg today all seams great.

cant believe i have to wait at least 20 days loL!

 

[R B Customs]

2) Add hot water until the m,ixture is a gallon in volume. Mix the contents together.
3) Make the mixture upto 5 gallons in total ( I recommend only producing 35 pints as it will yield a stronger richer beer)

Hey, thanks for taking the time to post, but could you go over these points?

when you say hot water, Is this boiled in a kettle? how much hot water? etc

also point 3:
do you make up the mixture with hot water or cold?

is it normal tap water, or mineral water?

thanks

 

[gumbald]

I aspire to being a brewer someday.

 

[shr3k]

I aspire to being a brewer someday.

Its fun!

 

[shr3k]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to post, but could you go over these points?

when you say hot water, Is this boiled in a kettle? how much hot water? etc

also point 3:
do you make up the mixture with hot water or cold?

is it normal tap water, or mineral water?

thanks

Hi, ive edited it to be more clear,

its boiling water about 3 keetles in total af first then cold water, i used tap water.

1) Open your kit, use a tin opener and pour the contents into a sterilized bucket. Add the suger if required.
2) Add hot water (from a keetle) until the mixture is a gallon in volume. Mix the contents together.
3) Make the mixture upto 5 gallons in total using cold water, tap water is fine ( I recommend only producing 35 pints as it will yield a stronger richer beer)

 

[shr3k]

The boiling water should make it so the total mixture is a gallon in volume first.

Then you make it upto 5 gallons, i made it 20 litres which is a few pints under, with cold tap water,

So far so good though

 

[Mr_White]

You really need a thermometer and a heater.

Also you need to sterilize everything and anything the beer may touch. Spoons, syphon pipe, keg, bottles, themometer, hydrommeter

Are we talking a heater in the beer, or an external heater to raise the ambient temp and in turn the beer?

 

[shr3k]

Are we talking a heater in the beer, or an external heater to raise the ambient temp and in turn the beer?

Some people use an external heater, you can buy them it wraps arround the first stage barrel and helps maintain a temperature. I went next door and asked but its more of a luxuray really, they suggested that if you live in a cold place, or during the winter its worth getting one.

It costs £9.99 here

 

[shr3k]

Ideally you want the first stage to be at 19-22 degrees

 

[Mr_White]

Some people use an external heater, you can buy them it wraps arround the first stage barrel and helps maintain a temperature. I went next door and asked but its more of a luxuray really, they suggested that if you live in a cold place, or during the winter its worth getting one.

It costs £9.99 here

Could I use a glass fishtank heater, a new and sterilised one of course.

I can't see it would hurt if it's sterilised and it's glass, and it has a thermostat, so I would have thought it'd be better?

Or are the external heaters best?

I think I'll need one as I don't have anywhere to put it that would reach anywhere near that temp, I like the cold

 

[shr3k]

Could I use a glass fishtank heater, a new and sterilised one of course.

I can't see it would hurt if it's sterilised and it's glass, and it has a thermostat.

Or are the external heaters best?

I think I'll need one as I don't have anywhere to put it that would reach anywhere near that temp, I like the cold

Apparently you can buy expensive ones that sit in the beer so what your suggesting would work. Again you want it so you amintain about 22 degrees

 

[Mik3]

I have been meaning to try this since the last thread, but I forgot about it.

I assume a 200w aquarium heater would be ok to use? Its been used in a reef tank before but I could give it a good clean with bleach?

 

[shr3k]

I have been meaning to try this since the last thread, but I forgot about it.

I assume a 200w aquarium heater would be ok to use? Its been used in a reef tank before but I could give it a good clean with bleach?

You would be best off gettign the sterilizer not bleach. Its 69p for a big tub of baby bottle cleaner in morrisons.

That will alst you ages.

And again if you cna keep it to about 22 degrees then perfect!

 

[Mr_White]

Apparently you can buy expensive ones that sit in the beer so what your suggesting would work. Again you want it so you amintain about 22 degrees

Nice one, cheers

I think I'll be making myself some Ale soon

I like to consider myself a self appointed Ale enthusiast

So I've always been dubious that homebrew could compare, but your thread makes it sound most promising.

 

[shr3k]

Nice one, cheers

I think I'll be making myself some Ale soon

I like to consider myself a self appointed Ale enthusiast

So I've always been dubious that homebrew could compare, but your thread makes it sound most promising.

Is tehre a difference between an ale enthusiast and a drunk :S

Lol

 

[Mr_White]

I have been meaning to try this since the last thread, but I forgot about it.

I assume a 200w aquarium heater would be ok to use? Its been used in a reef tank before but I could give it a good clean with bleach?

200w will be way over kill for 5 gallons, not that it matters since it'll have a thermostat, but I would just buy a new 25w/50w heater for £10