Homebrew

[philly169]

I've recently started my homebrew journey after my brother in law got me a beer kit for my birthday.

I'm currently doing an American IPA which I'm getting ready to bottle tonight, 40 pints worth. From the samples I've taken for gravity readings it tastes pretty good! I'm really enjoying the process of doing it!

Anyone else do any homebrew beer, wine or cider?

 

[bobmac]

I've been doing wine for a few years now.
I've just laid down 30 bottles of Cabernet Shiraz at about £1.70 a bottle.

 

[philly169]

I've been doing wine for a few years now.
I've just laid down 30 bottles of Cabernet Shiraz at about £1.70 a bottle.

My dad does red wine, tastes like concentrated ribena. but has a hell of a kick in the head in the morning!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

My wife makes wine. Plum wine is fabulous, definitely recommended. Fruit wines seem to work best, wine kits are best avoided. Keep an eye out for grocers looking to get rid of boxes of fruit for pennies at the end of a Saturday when those fruits are in glut. Bag a few boxes and away you go.

 

[Rooter]

Done a few lagers, going to try a cider next.

 

[fundy]

Done a few lagers, going to try a cider next.

this isnt the "what have you had to drink today" thread Scooter

 

[Rooter]

this isnt the "what have you had to drink today" thread Scooter

Oops! My bad! {hic!}

 

[ruff-driver]

 

[Grogger]

Moving house in the next few weeks and it's got a garage so I'm hoping to start brewing soon in there.

Seen a few videos on YouTube and it looks fairly straight forward but any advice on what kits best for a novice or things that are really really necessary would be greatly appreciated.

 

[patricks148]

make Cider occasionally. made 30 gallons a couple of years ago which ive still got a fair bit off left.

its hard work though, two weekends of crushing a pressing apples.

not had very good crops the last two years as its been very windy as the blossom comes out in the orchard and had it all blown off the tree's before it s had a chance.

 

[Leftie]

I haven't made any "country" wines for years as they can take so long and with variable results. I do however make "proper" wine using concentrated real grape juice. Once you have made an initial outlay on equipment (demijohns for small quantities or brewing barrels for the 5 gallon kits), the cheaper end of the range works out, as Bob says, at about £1.70/1.80 a bottle with very acceptable results. Pay more and the quality is even better.

I get my supplies from http://brewgenie.co.uk/ who provide excellent customer service.

Have a browse to see what's available.

I'm happy to help by pm if anyone wants any help or recommendations.

:cheers:

 

[Imurg]

Used to do beer and wine back in the day but I haven't for the patience for it now.
Made an Elderberry wine that we stored for a couple of years and it virtually turned into a Port..
Me Mam used to make Rhubarb wine...looked like water, tasted like water...but try and stand up after a couple of glasses and you'd know it...!

 

[MegaSteve]

Made an Elderberry wine that we stored for a couple of years and it virtually turned into a Port..

Just how I like it...

I also used to make it...
Pretty easy to do especially if you have multi-several bushes right outside the back gate..

 

[philly169]

I opened my first homebrew bottle last night, it was an American IPA, probably needs a little bit longer to clear, but thought I'd give it a taste.

I must say, it was beautiful. It was nice and hoppy with a good golden colour.

35 bottles left to go and my 40 pint keg of woodford wherry.

 

[ADB]

I opened my first homebrew bottle last night, it was an American IPA, probably needs a little bit longer to clear, but thought I'd give it a taste.

I must say, it was beautiful. It was nice and hoppy with a good golden colour.

35 bottles left to go and my 40 pint keg of woodford wherry.

Where did the American IPA kit come from - i was thinking of giving this a go, but there are loads to choose from!

 

[Kellfire]

You don't want an IPA to clear. Big juicy yeast is the best. Dank and murky. Delicious.

I've done two home brews and neither came out quite right. They both fermented fine but the taste was just wasn't right. I'm moving soon so I may do another batch when I do.

 

[philly169]

Where did the American IPA kit come from - i was thinking of giving this a go, but there are loads to choose from!

Its a Youngs kit (https://www.brewuk.co.uk/beerkits/premium-canned-kits/american-beers.html Other retailers are available)

This is how mine has turned out. http://imgur.com/N7np4zh

 

[ADB]

Its a Youngs kit (https://www.brewuk.co.uk/beerkits/premium-canned-kits/american-beers.html Other retailers are available)

This is how mine has turned out. http://imgur.com/N7np4zh

Many thanks - looks good!

 

[User62651]

Did a batch of birch wine once, part of the recipe was piling a load of raisins into it which got me thinking, what's the point of calling it birch wine if its full of dried grapes, best just made entirely from grapes in the first place by someone who knows what they're doing! Like many of my interests it was a passing fad and interesting enough tapping the trees and learning a bit about it at the time. Needless to say taste wasn't very good and with booze as cheap as it is in Lidl/Aldi etc I didn't go back to it - why bother?