Home brew? Homebrew? Winemaking

It's not pointless as some yeasts are interesting/expensive but it needs a bit more love and attention than just 'keeping it in the fridge' :-)

Looks like a good experiment. Will it clear up do you think?

That glass was the end of the bottling run so very yeasty. Others are a lot clearer.

Anyone want this (free)?

Has been sitting around outside so will need a good clean, but AFAIK it's never been used for brewing (project that never happened).

Collection from E1.

Does anyone have a good ginger beer recipe?

I tried this one a couple months ago and it didn't have enough bite and maybe tasted a bit too fermenty.

https://ww2.kqed.org/bayareabites/2014/10/01/feed-your-ginger-bug-and-brew-some-diy-ginger-beer/

any tips?

I brewed a Lemongrass and ginger pale ale recently,using a lemongrass and ginger herbal tea a friend of mine makes. I used some at the end of the boil and then 'dry-hopped' with some more.
Ended up with a very refreshing 3.6% beer that you can drink all day in the sun.

So...just cracked into my first go at a home brew and fuck me it's not bad. Haven't had any homebrew since being a student (ahem - some years ago) and this is in a different class - tastes like proper beer. It's a cooper's IPA. Bit cloudy, but looks like it's clearing up since first taste.

Anyway - any recommendations for good kits to try next. Needs to be simple, but sticking in the IPA style. Any that are better than others?

@Olly398 & @rhb -- what do you use for pressing apples?

I used to use an electric juicer.
For pressing, not only do you need a very heavy duty press, but also a good scratter to pulp the apples first.

what kind of scratter do you use?

Lucky to be able to borrow one of these:

http://www.gardentrading.co.uk/kitchen/kitchen-accessories/apple-press.html#.WUKAAsvTXqA

Scratter is definitely useful, I just spent an afternoon with a knife though as it was a small enough volume of apples.

I don't... never have. I juice.

Any recommendations for a simple home brew equipment set? I used to have a Coopers one like this - it was great but I had to give it away when moving to a smaller flat. Back in a bigger place now and eyeing up something like this one.

Can someone give me the idiot's guide to why this one is pressurised and needs co2 etc, while the Coopers one didn't? Info online isn't clear to me.

I am guessing it is that this one is barrel conditioned, while the Coopers was bottle conditioned. It doesn't mention including bottles in the kit, whereas the Coopers one did. Could I buy the barrel kit, but then also some bottles, and bottle it after conditioning, so that I can keep the beer chilled in the fridge?

I have had a quick look at the all grain kits too - they look lovely but too expensive for me.

I have had a quick look at the all grain kits too - they look lovely but too expensive for me.

Google Brew in a Bag (BIAB). Allows you to venture into all grain without spending silly money.

Ignore the barrels, get an extra fermenting bucket and a little bottler tap and bottle condition straight after fermenting. You can't bottle from the barrel, it'll go flat in the bottles and you'll also get a lot of oxygen going in which will stale it.

All grain I used to BIAB using a peco electrim mashing bin which is a plastic no fuss version of the posh stainless systems.

While I'm here, have updated my blog https://haveigotbrewsforyou.wordpress.com

Cheers both. I will get looking. Still looks to be £100+ for a setup tho?

You can BIAB on your cooker in a big pot

^ This. I bought a big stock pot from Aldi for cheapz.

You can make your own bag if you are good at sewing but it needs to be sturdy as hot, wet malt isn't something you want all over the floor, you, oven, significant other...

I used to use a net curtain bulldog clipped around the sides

Just had a read through some of your posts.

Wow.

Indeed amazing blog

Reading the goat's whey chocolate milk stout.... ridiculously advanced!

Thanks

Yeah I've fallen down a rabbit hole

Looks as if we're getting a bumper cr(h)op this year so let me know if you wand some. Wet or Dried.

Will begin harvesting mid September

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Looks as if we're getting a bumper cr(h)op this year so let me know if you want some. Wet or Dried.

Will begin harvesting mid September

1 Attachment