Home brew advice needed please (1 Viewer)

[geoffles]

Hi ive asked for a beer making kit for xmas, as im new to it though is it better to have a kit with a keg or one where i bottle the beer.

Cheers

 

[Puddleduck]

Don't think one is better than the other. A matter of personal choice.

Puddledrake is getting a brew kit (one that you bottle) for Christmas.

 

[Wildbill]

I do both I condition ether in a keg or the bottled keg is ezer as it's just one peace of kit to clean and sterilize.
Whare as bottling you have between 30/40 bottals to clean and sterilize
I have swing top bottles thare like the grolsh bottles
To minimise sediment in the bottles I usually wrack in to another fermenter and fine the beer so it's nice and clear.
There will still be enough yeas in the beer for conditioning sugar to work
for consistency and minimum mess I usually make a sugar water solution
half pint water 1/4 lb sugar heat water dissolve sugar
5 mil to a boatel using a syringe aid beer and cap
place in warm place for week.
enjoy
bill

 

[johnp10]

Don't make it!!!

Rangi, Puddleduck and Billthedrill all do it and they are completely GaGa.

 

[DBK]

I think the quality of the beer kit is important. You can get ones where everything is in a big tin and you just add water, I had one where it said you didn't even need to boil it.

Then there are the kits where there is a tin of malt extract and at the very least a bag of hops, plus hopefully a small bag of malt grains of whatever type is needed for the recipe. I would go for this type of kit but you do need more stuff, including a decent sized strainer and of course a big boiling pan - but you've got one of those for jam and marmalade already I am sure.

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[Wildbill]

I think the quality of the beer kit is important. You can get ones where everything is in a big tin and you just add water, I had one where it said you didn't even need to boil it.

Then there are the kits where there is a tin of malt extract and at the very least a bag of hops, plus hopefully a small bag of malt grains of whatever type is needed for the recipe. I would go for this type of kit but you do need more stuff, including a decent sized strainer and of course a big boiling pan - but you've got one of those for jam and marmalade already I am sure.

Hole grain brewing by making a smale mash tone with two buckets works very well and Bach sparging folowd by washing the last of the malt of the grain with a watering can.
I use a old army stanles stele liner from a hay box
if any one wants to know how to make a small mash tone in les than one hr let me know using 2x 5gal bucket' one with a tap and the other with hundreds of 2mm holes drilled in the bottom
I got this idea of one of the home brew forums and it works a treat
I prefer hole grain brewing takes a bit longer but the results are better
maris otter pale malts 3.5kg
crystal malt1 kg
cascade hops 3oz 85 grams 3o min in to a 60min boil I have also split the hops 40g after firs 30 min and the last 45 grams in last 10min of the boil
Irish pet moss
hole grain brewing once you have the kit is cheaper and better results
but allow for to six hrs to make it
once you have used hole grain you will never go back to extract brewing

bill

 

[geoffles]

wow, didnt realise it was this complicated lol, two options then either keg and chill it in a fridge (need to buy fridge) or bottles but need to sterilise all the individual bottles.

However it does seem a pre-requisite of owning a motor home (similar rules to owning a narrow-boat) you must drink and be merry !!!!

Next question does anyone have any good websites to buy the kit from.

Cheers everyone

 

[Wildbill]

wow, didnt realise it was this complicated lol, two options then either keg and chill it in a fridge (need to buy fridge) or bottles but need to sterilise all the individual bottles.

However it does seem a pre-requisite of owning a motor home (similar rules to owning a narrow-boat) you must drink and be merry !!!!

Next question does anyone have any good websites to buy the kit from.

Cheers everyone

find a good home brew shop it's more fun going to your local shop and you get grate advice and I just love seeing it all first hand
bill

 

[steevie]

I did a fair bit of wine making a while back, but found that when I had finished sampling it, there was none left to bottle.

 

[Wildbill]

I did a fair bit of wine making a while back, but found that when I had finished sampling it, there was none left to bottle.

that's what I like to her it must have been good

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[Wildbill]

very simple recipe for apple wine4 x cartons coop apple juice one lemon a small 250 mil jar of honey
one lemon
20z of resins optional but helps with tanning
boil resins in a cup of water stain throw in to demi Jon
wine yeast
ensure every thing is sterilise
only fill dime Jon to shoulder till initial fermentation is over
shud ferment for two week in a warm place and then start to clear but may take longer

coop grap juice works very well but you don't need the lemon

 

[Wildbill]

very simple recipe for apple wine4 x cartons coop apple juice one lemon a small 250 mil jar of honey
one lemon
20z of resins optional but helps with tanning
boil resins in a cup of water stain throw in to demi Jon
wine yeast
ensure every thing is sterilise
only fill dime Jon to shoulder till initial fermentation is over
shud ferment for two week in a warm place and then start to clear but may take longer

coop grap juice works very well but you don't need the lemon

sorry for hi jacking your thread
bill

 

[Wildbill]

Don't make it!!!

Rangi, Puddleduck and Billthedrill all do it and they are completely GaGa.

not GaGa just pissed all the time

 

[geoffles]

Daft question please help, i just rang homebrew shop and they suggested not buying a kit but get it individually as will be cheaper, is this so ?

 

[Puddleduck]

I don't do home brew but my in laws used to and some still do.

Alcohol and me don't get on.

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[rangi]

Don't make it!!!

Rangi, Puddleduck and Billthedrill all do it and they are completely GaGa.

OI!

 

[johnp10]

Prove me wrong, oh Abbo one?

 

[rangi]

We're no LADY!


Gerrit?


Lady? GAGA? That creature from the Colonies that warbles (sort ov)

 

[DBK]

Daft question please help, i just rang homebrew shop and they suggested not buying a kit but get it individually as will be cheaper, is this so ?

Probably not cheaper than the sort of budget kit I mentioned where it is all in one tin - but it didn't make very exciting beer in my experience. If you have a home brew shop locally go along to it and have a chat with them.

 

[rangi]

AND!! another thing How come "TOP" is at the Bottom of the page eh?

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[Puddleduck]

Going to make up a "kit" for Martin to go with his new bucket etc. The kit will be for gluten free (I am coeliac) in the hope I don't have a bad head after he has a pint. I always have a hangover when he has a beer and am now wondering if it is the gluten in the beer.

I know of anecdotal evidence of gluten containing crisps eaten by the boyfriend before meeting up wit the girlfriend ended up with her being very sick.

 

[geoffles]

Found a kit i think fits the bill

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/complete-woodfordes-starter-equipment-set.html

 

[Clive and Kerri]

I use Art of Brewing when I don't get time to go to my local shop. Find them very good on price and delivery is free if you spend over £49

 

[fifthwheel]

Found a kit i think fits the bill

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/complete-woodfordes-starter-equipment-set.html

Woodfordes Wherry is very good I get mine from Wilko.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/?gclid=CJvXu9WTmcICFSMFwwodDGcAaw
I use these. Cheaper than my local home brew supplier. Free delivery over £65.
Never had a problem with the service or stock.
Ralph

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[Wildbill]

Woodfordes Wherry is very good I get mine from Wilko.

Woodford Wherry is a good kit but I prefer to just drop sum hops in to the ferment dry hop it some fuggles (4.5) to give it some aroma

 

[DBK]

Found a kit i think fits the bill

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/complete-woodfordes-starter-equipment-set.html

That's a good website - lots of interesting stuff there.

 

[Puddleduck]

Sorry to hijack but here is a list of ingredients I found for a gluten-free beer:

Redbush (Rooibos) tea bags 30
PG Tips tea bags 5
Liquorice tea bags 5
Muscovado Sugar 0.2 Kg
Clear Honey 2 Dsp
Lyles Black Treacle 2 Dsp
Marmite 2 Tsp
Goldings Hops 25g
Irish Moss 0.5 Tsp
Vanilla Extract 2 Tsp
Chocolate Essence 2 Tsp
Prune Juice 1 Litre
Yeast Nutrient (as recommended by manufacturer)
Billingtons Golden Granulated Sugar 1.0 Kg
Maltodextrin (Body Bru) 0.5 Kg (optional)
Isomerised Hop Extract 4-5 Tsp
Dried Ale Yeast 1Pkt
Gelatine for fining 10-12g
Sugar for priming 40 Tsp


I think I will make up a "kit" for Martin for Christmas along with the full recipe and see what he thinks. Some of the ingredients look a little strange but you never know until you try.

 

[Mike B]

Found a kit i think fits the bill

http://www.brewuk.co.uk/complete-woodfordes-starter-equipment-set.html

Bought this kit two weeks ago. I'm on day 6 of the brew and it's still bubbling, so I've not tasted it yet. Will put it in a barrel next week when I come back from the gourmet weekend meet. I'll have a taste then and let you know, if you haven't already bought it.

Discussed in the thread on 8th Nov.

Broken Link Removed

 

[geoffles]

Bought this kit two weeks ago. I'm on day 6 of the brew and it's still bubbling, so I've not tasted it yet. Will put it in a barrel next week when I come back from the gourmet weekend meet. I'll have a taste then and let you know, if you haven't already bought it.

Discussed in the thread on 8th Nov.

Broken Link Removed

Arghh to late ordered but ive gone for the Pale Ale kit

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