Brewing

[tomjackson]

Does anybody brew their own beer? Or ferment Cider or Wine?

Would be interested to hear your experiences, how you found the process and most importantly the results.

[Elliot]

I would recommend starting with these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Ingredients-Woodfordes-Homebrew/dp/B002KBC2T4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335433776&sr=8-2

[Philly Q]

I thought this might just be a thread about Tea.  :|

[blue]

i haven't done it myself yet, but my mate and his brother are both doing it.  he's made an english ale, a mexican lager and a german style beer.  he has recently tried cider too, and it turned out ok.  the beers were all very good, especially the english ale.  his first batch of stout is just about ready too.  having tried his, i will definately be having a go myself :)

[Afghan Dave]

I've been planning to do this for ages. Done some research but have yet to get it going.

[tomjackson]

Great, I'll check that out Elliot.  What kit do you need? If you brew the 40 pints in a barrel, how long does it last for?
Do you have to bottle it all up or can it be kept in the barrel it was brewed in?

And thanks blue, good to hear folks can get good results at home.

.

I thought this might just be a thread about Tea.  :|

Definitely worth it's own thread!  FWIW I'm on cup 4 since posting the original thread, my favorite is Twinings Loose leaf Assam, but since it's a work day I'm on Twinings Everyday tea bags :D

[Elliot]

When I have brewed beer I used bottles and crown caps but if you are starting out I think you would need this sort of thing as well -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Balliihoo%C2%AE-Complete-Equipment/dp/B001RZYJI6/ref=pd_cp_kh_0

but the beer lasts better in bottles (although it is a real hassle to sterilise them all)

I would also buy some spraymalt rather than normal sugar:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Muntons-Enhancer-Spraymalt/dp/B00299U55K/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1335439450&sr=1-1

[th3sku11]

Hi

I've just recently got into this as it happens: I got a coopers starter kit at Christmas and have become a bit addicted to the whole process. I've recently started doing full grain batches that have turned out really well - IPAs for the most part. Its actually been more fun making them than drinking them (something must have rubbed off during all those years of chemistry at uni)!

I've tried a few kits and they were really easy and the beer was pretty good too.

I can recommend the Coopers starter kit http://www.tesco.com/direct/diy-beer-starter-kit/213-7435.prd?skuId=213-7435&pageLevel=&sc_cmp=pcp_GSF__213-7435 as the bottling wand and carbonation drops make things pretty easy when it comes to bottling. Bottling with a syphon can be messy. There are plenty of youtube clips that go through the process that are worth watching to get a feel for what you need to do. The only other thing I'd advise getting is some cleaner/steriliser  compound - you can't keep the equipment too clean.

Its pretty difficult to go wrong really.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

[th3sku11]

When I have brewed beer I used bottles and crown caps but if you are starting out I think you would need this sort of thing as well -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Balliihoo%C2%AE-Complete-Equipment/dp/B001RZYJI6/ref=pd_cp_kh_0

but the beer lasts better in bottles (although it is a real hassle to sterilise them all)

I would also buy some spraymalt rather than normal sugar:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Home-Brew-Muntons-Enhancer-Spraymalt/dp/B00299U55K/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1335439450&sr=1-1

Agree with all of the above.

Rinsing and sterilising bottles is quite a dull job. You definitely get a sense of achievement when you see them all filled and capped. Then its just a matter of patience.

[tomjackson]

Hi

I've just recently got into this as it happens: I got a coopers starter kit at Christmas and have become a bit addicted to the whole process. I've recently started doing full grain batches that have turned out really well - IPAs for the most part. Its actually been more fun making them than drinking them (something must have rubbed off during all those years of chemistry at uni)!

I've tried a few kits and they were really easy and the beer was pretty good too.

I can recommend the Coopers starter kit http://www.tesco.com/direct/diy-beer-starter-kit/213-7435.prd?skuId=213-7435&pageLevel=&sc_cmp=pcp_GSF__213-7435 as the bottling wand and carbonation drops make things pretty easy when it comes to bottling. Bottling with a syphon can be messy. There are plenty of youtube clips that go through the process that are worth watching to get a feel for what you need to do. The only other thing I'd advise getting is some cleaner/steriliser  compound - you can't keep the equipment too clean.

Its pretty difficult to go wrong really.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

Yes I was looking at those, would be good to have thinks easy first time to get a taste for things....

How long does the whole process take, from unboxing to drinking?

[JDC]

I distilled a can of special brew into "pure" alcohol in my chemistry class the other week, does that count?

[WezV]

a coopers starter kit really should be some lengths of curved wood, some round bottom planes  and a few metal rings!!!   ;)

i currently work for a brewery and finally had my induction last week (after working there nearly a year)

They took us right through the brewing process from grain to glass - tasting all the ingrediants as we went along.   Tasting fresh hop tea was a new experience, i quite liked it but it was shockingly bitter, also chewed my way through a fair amount of malted barley of different varieties.  they then let us mix up our own blends of sickly sweet unfermented beer

I was most surprised by how much flavour came from the yeast... i expected it to taste and smell like bakers yeast at the start of the process - it actually tasted exactly like the head of the pint it was going to become - much more subtle than i expected

this was followed by beer tasting and a beer and food matching evening


i dont really have the time, but would love to knock up a batch of a mex/vienna style dark  lager like negra modelo.  although since i can currently get it for 50p a bottle  its not currently worth it.

[th3sku11]

Hi

I've just recently got into this as it happens: I got a coopers starter kit at Christmas and have become a bit addicted to the whole process. I've recently started doing full grain batches that have turned out really well - IPAs for the most part. Its actually been more fun making them than drinking them (something must have rubbed off during all those years of chemistry at uni)!

I've tried a few kits and they were really easy and the beer was pretty good too.

I can recommend the Coopers starter kit http://www.tesco.com/direct/diy-beer-starter-kit/213-7435.prd?skuId=213-7435&pageLevel=&sc_cmp=pcp_GSF__213-7435 as the bottling wand and carbonation drops make things pretty easy when it comes to bottling. Bottling with a syphon can be messy. There are plenty of youtube clips that go through the process that are worth watching to get a feel for what you need to do. The only other thing I'd advise getting is some cleaner/steriliser  compound - you can't keep the equipment too clean.

Its pretty difficult to go wrong really.

I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.

Yes I was looking at those, would be good to have thinks easy first time to get a taste for things....

How long does the whole process take, from unboxing to drinking?

Typically about 4 - 6 days fermenting in the tank then a further 7 days in the bottle for secondary fermentation to take place. Leaving the beer to condition and couple of weeks lets it develop but that's the minimum. The brewferm Triple I brewed recommends 9 weeks in the bottle before you drink it.

Wez is right about the yeast - it has a massive effect on the flavour and its one of the first things you notice.

[dgg3jab]

The only brewing/fermenting I do is in my pants after curry.

[_tom_]

Only ever made mead and that was horrible, but it did get you absolutely leathered though!