Homebrew

[EarwaxUK]

I'm late to this party but I'm an "enthusiastic" home-brewer. Mostly all-grain but I've dabbled with extract brews in the past.
Would love to share some recipes with people if there are other grain brewers out there.

[EdBlackadder]

I have a stock of 500ml glass bottles at the moment, but I am going to change to 1litre pet bottles. My local wilco is 100 miles away, so I am using empty flavoured water bottles at 33p a go from Aldi. Plus I get to drink the water as well. I have used 2 litre pop bottles before but found them too big, mainly because the sediment ends up mixing too much with the beer and unless you have a touch of constipation...you know the rest without going into details.

I tried 500ml PET water bottles once with mixed results.

[pootana]

Thanks. ....was wondering the cost . As the kits seem to vary in kit and what you get in them

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[Simon-JG-hr]

What is a rough start up cost for kits etc...just out of curiosity

It was a few years ago, but I think I put all my kit together for about ?30-?40. Certainly no need to pay ?70+ for some of the 'essentials' kits you see on some of the sites.

[Paulie2876]

Yes, I saw the PET bottles. I assume they're OK for brewed ale/beers etc?

I've also seen used Grolsh bottles for example going for very reasonable prices. Tbh, given the start up costs, I'll be delaying my foray into this for a wee while, but it is something that I'll have a bash at

Never used grolsch bottles personally' but pet bottles are fine.

[pootana]

What is a rough start up cost for kits etc...just out of curiosity

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[Paulie2876]

Another advantage of bottles is that you don't have to drink it all in one go. A disadvantage is that you don't have to drink it all in one go. Another option is plastic bottles, noticed our local Wilko has 24 500ml PET bottles for a tenner. Can't get much cheaper than that. Or use sterilised coke/lemonade bottles, a colleague of mine did that for her wedding.

I have a stock of 500ml glass bottles at the moment, but I am going to change to 1litre pet bottles. My local wilco is 100 miles away, so I am using empty flavoured water bottles at 33p a go from Aldi. Plus I get to drink the water as well. I have used 2 litre pop bottles before but found them too big, mainly because the sediment ends up mixing too much with the beer and unless you have a touch of constipation...you know the rest without going into details.

[cj121]

Yes, I saw the PET bottles. I assume they're OK for brewed ale/beers etc?

I've also seen used Grolsh bottles for example going for very reasonable prices. Tbh, given the start up costs, I'll be delaying my foray into this for a wee while, but it is something that I'll have a bash at

[EdBlackadder]

Another advantage of bottles is that you don't have to drink it all in one go. A disadvantage is that you don't have to drink it all in one go. Another option is plastic bottles, noticed our local Wilko has 24 500ml PET bottles for a tenner. Can't get much cheaper than that. Or use sterilised coke/lemonade bottles, a colleague of mine did that for her wedding.

[cj121]

I just noticed that I wrote DWP cleaner, it's VWP cleaner

Some of them lot could do with a scrub up though

[Paulie2876]

I just noticed that I wrote DWP cleaner, it's VWP cleaner

[Simon-JG-hr]

I think I could be getting back into this very shortly.........

Same here, I think I'll have to dig out my equipment at the weekend.

[Wigan]

I think I could be getting back into this very shortly.........

[lestabantam]

Good explanation Paulie. This is starting to interest me now.

[Paulie2876]

So, for the uninitiated, what would be a basic set of equipment that is required before thinking about brewing. I could see myself possibly dipping into a kit of sorts for example.

My personal theory is if you are going to do kits you will need a 23 litre fermenting bin with an airlock, a plastic spoon, some sterilising agent, I use DWP, some people have been known to use campden tablets or other powders, a kit and some sugar. Most 40 pint kits use around 1 kilo of sugar. You can use brewers sugar or your normal everyday granulated. Follow the instructions closely and leave it in a warm place like a cupboard for around a week or until it stops foaming (not next to a radiator or fire).
After the week you will need to transfer it to another vessel of your choice, I use a barrel for convinience, the theory is I clean one barrel that takes around twenty minutes rather than 20-40 bottles which will take a bit longer. Once transferred leave it for at least another two weeks or until it clears, waiting is the hardest part of brewing. I have possibly missed some parts out, But I am at the end of my break now, so I will read it over and get back to you tonight.