Home Brew

[Funkstar]

Has anyone got links to some recommended reading for this?

My wife as acquired some gear through Freecycle, so now's the time to start reading up on what to do with it all.

I haven't seen the gear, I'm offshore, and she hasn't picked it up yet anyway. I think it's a complete kit though, or at least most of it.

Thanks.

[Fjo]

Basic:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/mosl...e-brewing.html
More detailed:
http://www.howtobrew.com/intro.html
Tips and whatnot:
http://www.beers.co.uk/home-brewing/index.html

These were just from googling though. I once made a batch with an old flatmate, but that time we just used the instructions that came with the kit. We ended up with litres of something brown, vaguely beer-y, just about drinkable andohGodneveragain.
Best of luck - i'm pretty sure we were just pants.

[rox0r]

I've done a few batches of some of the old vaguely brown alcoholic stuffs.

Best advice I can give is get hold of a heating tray for the primary fermenter. Failing that a decent brew-belt. Keeping the primary temperature regulated in winter can be a real pain in the backside, I used to end up running the radiators in one room for two weeks solid day and night to keep it going as me and the missus are accustomed to a chilly house.

Oh and sanitize EVERYTHING. Twice. That includes valves, seals, thermometer, spoon, can opener (Yes, sanitize the can opener you use on the malt tins too)

And if you're using a plastic keg, buy some silicone grease and make sure you grease the seals/valves after sanitizing or you will end up with a messy leak once it pressurizes.

[abaxas]

http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/index.php

Happy home brew forum that doesnt take itself seriously.

[Funkstar]

Thanks so far guys.

Looking for some personal experience here, I do know how to search for things

A friend of ours had a few really awesome batches, it was a light pilsner type beer he was making and it was lovely. Although there was one batch that didn't turn out so well, looked OK, tasted OK ish.... then he realised he'd forgotten to put the sugar in

[Zak33]

from experience....

buy cheap bottled flat water from the supermarket.... then keep the bottles.. to put the beer back into.

it's sterile, cheap, and the bottles are cheaper than buying them empty

[Willzzz]

Are we talking full on brewing starting with raw ingredients?

What areas do you need advice on?

My mate is a professional brewer, so I've picked up a few tips and tricks from him

[rox0r]

My latest batch turned sour, I'd attempted a Hoegaarden clone using orange peel and coriander seeds in a Witbier mix but even though I'd used a muslin bag to steep it seems the orange peel still managed to turn it. Shame really because it's not 'off' as in gone ransid, it just tastes a bit eye watering.

Chalk that one up to experience.

[Funkstar]

Well it turns out I got my wires crossed.

It was actually a bunch of wine making gear instead. Mainly consisting of 20 lovely glass demijohns! Some pile of gear for free

[rox0r]

Free demijohns, good find!

[abaxas]

Worp worp

Turbo cider maker detected

Worp worp

[Funkstar]

Actually, the cider thing will probably happen next year. We have an (cooking) apple tree in the garden that we haven't been able to take advantage of so far. Simply haven't got the time to do it this year though.

[TheAnimus]

I wonder how high duty on drink has to go before we all start doing this

[MadduckUK]

I wonder how high duty on drink has to go before we all start doing this

We should bloody do it anyway, keep thinking about it but never get round.

[merdat]

Used to make wine and beer many years ago. In fact , i came across a box of (forgotten) beer made in 1998 - afraid to drink it - gave it to my mate who will drink anything. Bramble and elderberry is a good combo for wine at this time of year.

[abaxas]

I prefer homebrew as you know what's in it.