Home Brew Questions
- Thread starter Voley
- Start date
mr steev
magic thought wizard
Personally, being a skint tight arse, I'd look into buying them seperately. All you really need is a fermenting bucket (about a tenner) a hydrometer and a syphoning tube - I presume you have stuff like a measuring jug, a funnel, a big spoon etc. Then think about what your finished beer is going in. If you want it in a barrel like the one shown you can get those for about £30 or collect bottles and get yourself a capper for about a tenner.
You'll still need to buy a kit, sugar, sterilising stuff etc
eta: just noticed the £8 delivery - I wouldn't say it's good value for money
You'll still need to buy a kit, sugar, sterilising stuff etc
eta: just noticed the £8 delivery - I wouldn't say it's good value for money
Pickman's model
Starry Wisdom
TopCat
Putin fanboy
I am very interested in saving money as I don't have much. I did have a fermenting kit years ago and a barrel but found the barrel to be a bit shit.
I do have a big spoon, measuring jug and cloths and that.
There is a cheaper kit, http://www.home-brew-online.com/sta...sic-starter-equipment-pack-with-bottles-p1112
This has plastic bottles, plastic displeases me but I guess the bottles are less likely to explode and I would pour the beer to drink it anyway so?
I do have a big spoon, measuring jug and cloths and that.
There is a cheaper kit, http://www.home-brew-online.com/sta...sic-starter-equipment-pack-with-bottles-p1112
This has plastic bottles, plastic displeases me but I guess the bottles are less likely to explode and I would pour the beer to drink it anyway so?
mr steev
magic thought wizard
I'd also strongly recomend you get some 'Videne antiseptic solution' for sterilising your kit. It costs about a fiver for 500ml from a chemists. All you do is drop 1.25ml of it into a litre of water so it will last for ages. Then the liquid just has to be in contact with whatever you want to sterilise for 20 seconds. It's really quick and easy, doesn't stink and most importantly, doesn't taint your brew
TopCat
Putin fanboy
Good stuff. I am going to try and do this for the least possible expense. I am not after making the best beer in the world, just something drinkable. The last fermenting I did was throwing a load of off the floor market fruit into a huge bucket with a load of stolen pret e manger sugar and leaving it for a fortnight before straining off and drinking it. It rarely got bottled. A bit flatulent though!The barrels can be a pain in the arse to clean too ime.
I'd just get a fermenting bucket, hydrometer and a syphoning tube and start collecting bottles. There's no reason why the should explode unless you prime them with a daft amount of sugar
sunnysidedown
caput mortuum
at the same price as your original suggestion you can pick up one of the se in the UK:
https://store.coopers.com.au/shop/product/DBK676/
Comew with everything you need (if you want to bottle) inc. everything for first brew (some places let you choose what you want, ale, IPA, stout etc).
I've bben using it for a while now and it's been great, very easy to clean, no air locks to worry about and easy to get all the crap out the tap. A well thought out kit.
here's a uk shop:
http://www.home-brew-online.com/sta...r-c50/coopers-diy-micro-brewery-beer-kit-p729
Plastic bottles aren't too bad tbh, and you can always collect glass.
https://store.coopers.com.au/shop/product/DBK676/
Comew with everything you need (if you want to bottle) inc. everything for first brew (some places let you choose what you want, ale, IPA, stout etc).
I've bben using it for a while now and it's been great, very easy to clean, no air locks to worry about and easy to get all the crap out the tap. A well thought out kit.
here's a uk shop:
http://www.home-brew-online.com/sta...r-c50/coopers-diy-micro-brewery-beer-kit-p729
Plastic bottles aren't too bad tbh, and you can always collect glass.
Pickman's model
Starry Wisdom
i want to see you make brandy or ginDoing wine as well could make Mation happy but I would probably have to make something really good as she has these posh North London ways that have not yet been eroded by a year plus of living with me. Give it time though eh?
TopCat
Putin fanboy
I have always been interested in distilling but better learn to walk before I start running like a demon.
mr steev
magic thought wizard
Doing wine as well could make Mation happy but I would probably have to make something really good as she has these posh North London ways that have not yet been eroded by a year plus of living with me. Give it time though eh?
Not wanting to blow my own trumpet, but I do make a fantastic damson wine... it has had nothing but rave revues from family and friends. The trick is to make absolutely loads of it so you still have some left after a couple of years when it is at it's best
Mation
real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
Make something really good, thenDoing wine as well could make Mation happy but I would probably have to make something really good as she has these posh North London ways that have not yet been eroded by a year plus of living with me. Give it time though eh?
Or perry! I like perry. We drank perry in North London.
Pickman's model
Starry Wisdom
you should change your tagline to 'posh north london ways'Make something really good, then
TopCat
Putin fanboy
Perry could be possible.Make something really good, then
Mation
real life adventure worth more than pieces of gold
You're right - I should!you should change your tagline to 'posh north london ways'
mr steev
magic thought wizard
If you can fit an airlock/bung to it you're sorted. You could always loosen the lid every day or so to let the pressure out but tbh I don't think that's worth the risk. Everyone I know who has done that method has had some explode on them
I know it's hard, but if you go down the turbo cider route (think Addy has a recipe) try and hide a few bottles. I made some a while ago and whilst drinkable after a couple of months, it wasn't a patch on the bottle that I missed and discovered in the back of the cupboard a year or so later
Addy
cooking...
I have used plastic pet bottles like in your post TopCat with no ill effect, so go for it.
You don't really need to fit an airlock, you can use a balloon or finger off a rubber glove with a pin hole in it. This will allow the co2 to escape and not let in any nasties.
It also acts as a fermentation indicator ...... inflated/erect = fermenting - flacid = its finished.
Turbo cider is a nice easy starter with no cost other than apple juice for 5%abv. (add sugar @ 100g per litre for an extra 1%abv per 100g).
put 10-12 litres of apple juice in your water bottle, add a litre of really strong black tea (5 tea bags stewed for 20 minutes to add tannin)
Add 1 tsp of cider or wine yeast ( I use Youngs all purpose wine yeast) and let it ferment somewhere about 20c for 3-4 days, then top up to 15 with more apple juice (this allows for the krausen (yeasty head) to form and die down without spilling out) and allow for it to become flacid.
After fermentation is over leave somewhere cool to let the yeast fall out and clear, then bottle (with 1 tsp of sugar if you want fizzy cider)
Once you grasp these basics you can then decide if its worth spending money on persuing this hobby.
You don't really need to fit an airlock, you can use a balloon or finger off a rubber glove with a pin hole in it. This will allow the co2 to escape and not let in any nasties.
It also acts as a fermentation indicator ...... inflated/erect = fermenting - flacid = its finished.
Turbo cider is a nice easy starter with no cost other than apple juice for 5%abv. (add sugar @ 100g per litre for an extra 1%abv per 100g).
put 10-12 litres of apple juice in your water bottle, add a litre of really strong black tea (5 tea bags stewed for 20 minutes to add tannin)
Add 1 tsp of cider or wine yeast ( I use Youngs all purpose wine yeast) and let it ferment somewhere about 20c for 3-4 days, then top up to 15 with more apple juice (this allows for the krausen (yeasty head) to form and die down without spilling out) and allow for it to become flacid.
After fermentation is over leave somewhere cool to let the yeast fall out and clear, then bottle (with 1 tsp of sugar if you want fizzy cider)
Once you grasp these basics you can then decide if its worth spending money on persuing this hobby.
Voley
🐀
Looks like it's got everything you need but this one's a bit cheaper. Once you've bought a beer kit you're looking at a similar price. Cheapest way is deffo to get your own big buckets and sterilisation stuff mind. Woodforde's Wherry is a very good starter kit to try out - very forgiving if you (like me) have a tendency to peek at it all the time and risk a bit of unwanted crap getting in there.
Voley
🐀
That's good value.
butcher
boner at the ready
Voleys has a pressure vavle too, which is a £10 worth. I'd go for the coopers stout kit though: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-Ho...&keywords=coopers+home+brew+starter+kit+stout
this:
http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=24822
and this:
http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/brewingfaq.php
will help too
this:
http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=24822
and this:
http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/brewingfaq.php
will help too
butcher
boner at the ready
I'd start with the legendary Ditch's stout recipe:
by Ditch » Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:32 pm
Ok. Once and for all, here's how I do it. I'm going to write this off the cuff. I hope it works out and doesn't become a drag for reader or writer.
(Ok. After 22 pages of god knows what, " Anthony UK " has, recently asked me if I could up date This single post. Save people reading twenty plus pages to just get up to speed on 'Developments'. Extremely valid point! I'll mark anything 'new' with a " * ", below) .....
My equipment consists of:
Youngs' 5 Gallon FV with grommeted hole in the lid.
Plastic, 5 Gallon Jerry Can.
Washing up bowl.
Tin Opener.
Scissors.
Pill Crusher (Optional).
Pair of industrial rubber gauntlets.
Spray bottle of Iodine solution.
50 Watt fish tank heater.
Basic Keg (5 Gallon) ~ * Ah, yes. Those were the days. When I even bothered with kegs!
Stirring Paddle ~ * Long since replaced by a plaster / paint stirrer and electric drill.
Syphon tube, stick and tap.
Ingredients;
One can of Coopers Stout.
*1 Kilo of Dark, dried malt. I used to use Medium. Ran out of source. Dark seems Ok.
Half a campden tablet.
Extremely soft tap water.
*One mug full of organic, raw cane sugar (This has become a later addition. Seems agreeable).
Here's what I do:
Crush half a campden tablet and pop that into the Jerry Can. Shove a hose in there and fill the jerry can.
As that fills, I spray my work top and can opener with Iodine. Take my paddle out of its weakened bleach solution. (*Now, I simply mist spray the drill twister with iodene. Don't bother with the rinse ....) Rinse it off and put it on the work surface, along with my ingredients.
I also put the kettle on. Filled with tap water.
Kettle boiled, I strip the paper off the kit tin. Put the tin in the washing up bowl and empty the kettle over it. This, obviously, is to soften the extract inside. I remove the paper so it doesn't fall off into my FV later. Part refill the kettle and put it back on to boil.
Now I use the scissors to cut the entire top off the bag of dried malt. I always shake them first, ensuring it's all well down inside the bags. Hold that bag low in the FV. Invert. Dump a kilo of dry powder in there.
Gauntlets on. I take the hot tin out of the bowl and open it. I then pour the extract into my FV. Bulk of it out, I rinse the tin with the freshly boiled water. (No. It isn't treated with a campden tab. Never seemed to bother me though).
Gauntlets off and I pour a gallon or two from the jerry can into the FV. I don't measure it. Just enough so's I've something to stir. Which I do. I just stir until I feel it's dissolving in there. Then I may add a bit more water. I play it by eye and I'm sure nothing about this is crucial.
OR
These days? I just stick the drill stirrer into the FV. Touch bottom. Come up an inch or two. Brace against my knee and hit that trigger.
Loads of swirling, beige coloured mess. Give it ten, fifteen seconds. Then use the stirrer to probe the bottom for any stuff. If ye find any? Quick extra spin'll soon liquidise that too.
Lug the FV into my other room. Fetch the jerry can in there. Top up the FV water level to four gallons ~ that's up to the bottom of the foam / head level. Power drill stirring creates a Lot of head!
Chuck the fish tank heater in and switch that on. Leave it alone for some hours. Till last thing or next day. Depends on your schedule. Just wait till the foam's died down and ye can top it up to 20 Ltrs. Then I chuck in the mug of sugar and the yeast, straight out of the packet it comes in.
Pop the lid on, pushing it down as far as it'll go down. Obviously, the flex from the heater keeps it open at one side.
Come back in here and get on with my life.
Ten days later; Syphon the beer into a Keg. Get amongst it any point there after.
From: http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=31569
by Ditch » Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:32 pmOk. Once and for all, here's how I do it. I'm going to write this off the cuff. I hope it works out and doesn't become a drag for reader or writer.
(Ok. After 22 pages of god knows what, " Anthony UK " has, recently asked me if I could up date This single post. Save people reading twenty plus pages to just get up to speed on 'Developments'. Extremely valid point! I'll mark anything 'new' with a " * ", below) .....
My equipment consists of:
Youngs' 5 Gallon FV with grommeted hole in the lid.
Plastic, 5 Gallon Jerry Can.
Washing up bowl.
Tin Opener.
Scissors.
Pill Crusher (Optional).
Pair of industrial rubber gauntlets.
Spray bottle of Iodine solution.
50 Watt fish tank heater.
Basic Keg (5 Gallon) ~ * Ah, yes. Those were the days. When I even bothered with kegs!
Stirring Paddle ~ * Long since replaced by a plaster / paint stirrer and electric drill.
Syphon tube, stick and tap.
Ingredients;
One can of Coopers Stout.
*1 Kilo of Dark, dried malt. I used to use Medium. Ran out of source. Dark seems Ok.
Half a campden tablet.
Extremely soft tap water.
*One mug full of organic, raw cane sugar (This has become a later addition. Seems agreeable).
Here's what I do:
Crush half a campden tablet and pop that into the Jerry Can. Shove a hose in there and fill the jerry can.
As that fills, I spray my work top and can opener with Iodine. Take my paddle out of its weakened bleach solution. (*Now, I simply mist spray the drill twister with iodene. Don't bother with the rinse ....) Rinse it off and put it on the work surface, along with my ingredients.
I also put the kettle on. Filled with tap water.
Kettle boiled, I strip the paper off the kit tin. Put the tin in the washing up bowl and empty the kettle over it. This, obviously, is to soften the extract inside. I remove the paper so it doesn't fall off into my FV later. Part refill the kettle and put it back on to boil.
Now I use the scissors to cut the entire top off the bag of dried malt. I always shake them first, ensuring it's all well down inside the bags. Hold that bag low in the FV. Invert. Dump a kilo of dry powder in there.
Gauntlets on. I take the hot tin out of the bowl and open it. I then pour the extract into my FV. Bulk of it out, I rinse the tin with the freshly boiled water. (No. It isn't treated with a campden tab. Never seemed to bother me though).
Gauntlets off and I pour a gallon or two from the jerry can into the FV. I don't measure it. Just enough so's I've something to stir. Which I do. I just stir until I feel it's dissolving in there. Then I may add a bit more water. I play it by eye and I'm sure nothing about this is crucial.
OR
These days? I just stick the drill stirrer into the FV. Touch bottom. Come up an inch or two. Brace against my knee and hit that trigger.
Loads of swirling, beige coloured mess. Give it ten, fifteen seconds. Then use the stirrer to probe the bottom for any stuff. If ye find any? Quick extra spin'll soon liquidise that too.
Lug the FV into my other room. Fetch the jerry can in there. Top up the FV water level to four gallons ~ that's up to the bottom of the foam / head level. Power drill stirring creates a Lot of head!
Chuck the fish tank heater in and switch that on. Leave it alone for some hours. Till last thing or next day. Depends on your schedule. Just wait till the foam's died down and ye can top it up to 20 Ltrs. Then I chuck in the mug of sugar and the yeast, straight out of the packet it comes in.
Pop the lid on, pushing it down as far as it'll go down. Obviously, the flex from the heater keeps it open at one side.
Come back in here and get on with my life.
Ten days later; Syphon the beer into a Keg. Get amongst it any point there after.
From: http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=31569
