Homebrewing

[Sgt_Banter]

Always thought of doing this myself theres a company in liverpool that provide you with a starter kit

After the initial ?50 investment for the gear, it works out as less than 50p a pint and you can make some decent beers. It well worth having a go

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[ValeTudoGuy]

Well worth a go, it's a fun experiment if nothing more! The starter kits are good because you can use the same kit for wine and cider. Tinned fruit and fruit juices can make some surprisingly decent beverages! As can many root vegetables and whole fruits.... Not to forget honey to make mead.

If anyone wants recipes for most styles of beer, wine, cider or mead, I a more than happy to provide you with them as I have collected loads and loads over the years.

One quick tip for making much better extract brews is to forget, sugar and even beer enhancer. If possible use a second tin of liquid malt extract and I guarantee you will instantly notice the improvement in your brews.

Nice looking bit of kit that fordi, I'm in the planning stage of building a 5 gallon gravity fed micro brewery.

[ValeTudoGuy]

Oh and for you guys considering extract brewing, go down to your local Wilkos as they have a reasonable extract brewing section and tend to be cheaper than most home brew specialists for the basic stuff.

Anything by Muntons or Coopers is decent quality and woodfordes wherry is a particularly good extract kit.

[Sean]

After the initial ?50 investment for the gear, it works out as less than 50p a pint and you can make some decent beers. It well worth having a go Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

Wow very cheap think might look into it in the new year

[ValeTudoGuy]

Once you get into full grain, total grain cost forgetting equipment can run you as little as 30p per pint for a pub quality beer. If your the type to do 50 gallon batches, you can get that down to around 20p due to bulk buying savings.

But obviously mash brewing is more expensive to get set up, the end result simply can't be compared though!

[EdBlackadder]

I got into homebrewing last summer and have 4 batches under my belt, all extract kits as I have time and space limitations. Got all my kit bar my second FV for ~?30 as Dunelm were clearing their brewing kits. Great fun, started with a Cooper's ale kit and I have to say the beer was OK but it was so foolproof it really helped me build the confidence to push on. I bottled it in PET bottles which didn't hold the gas brilliantly so I've switched to glass for much better results. Using a lot of Woodforde's kits as they've really impressed me in the flavour stakes. I need to do an inventory of stock & bottles and sit one of my professional exams then I can crack on with my spring/early Summer beer. It really helps to build patience as the rewards of letting even a mediocre Cooper's kit mature for 3 months were incredible.

One quick question, I've been using VWP as steriliser which is pretty great and cheap as but it would be mildly more convenient to have a non-rinse steriliser. Anyone have any good recommendations for a cheap alternative?

Also I'd highly recommend http://www.creativewinemaking.co.uk/ for kits, they're the local store and they've given great service and advice to two generations of my family now.

[ValeTudoGuy]

I mostly use Bruclens which I believe is basically VWP, I have also used Milton sterilising tablets. I keep meaning to try Videne which apparently all chemists can order in for about ?4.50 a 500ml bottle and considering the dilution rate it 2.5ml to 2000ml it will go a bloody long way...... At that price, I won't care about rinsing!

[mattyhall22]

I use VWP not had any issues with it, however a lot of people rave about StarSan which is a no rinse sanitizer to make things quick and easier

I've just conditioned a Woodfordes Wherry which is very nice, I think my next brew will be "Bulldog brewery" "evil dog" which is a 7.1% Double IPA

[EdBlackadder]

Not tried the Wherry but heard good things. I've fallen a bit in love with their Admiral's Reserve though, lovely kit. Going to try Nelson's Revenge in the next brew. I've still 200g of VWP so will have a look when I finish that.

[ValeTudoGuy]

A homemade Merlot I bottled in 2010 has just come good and is going down a treat.

[PeeJay]

A homemade Merlot I bottled in 2010 has just come good and is going down a treat.

Homemade wine, homemade beer, home smelting, you are so New Age. When are you going to start rolling?

[ValeTudoGuy]

Homemade wine, homemade beer, home smelting, you are so New Age. When are you going to start rolling?

It gonna happen at some point.

[searsa1]

Can you legally make distilled spirits yourself in the UK?

[ValeTudoGuy]

Can you legally make distilled spirits yourself in the UK?

Nope, but it's a stupid law. You can legally buy the equipment, you can legally distill alcohol for other uses e.g making aftershave/perfume.

But technically by the letter of the law you can't distill alcohol for human consumption.

In reality, would anyone know you were doing it? Nope. Would 99% of police officers or other legal officials even know what a still was? Nope
Heck you can distill in you freezer.

Edit: for clarity, you can apply for a license and jump through hoops but as far as I am aware it's not likely to be granted without lots of legwork.

[butternutsquashpie]

Nope, but it's a stupid law. You can legally buy the equipment, you can legally distill alcohol for other uses e.g making aftershave/perfume.

But technically by the letter of the law you can't distill alcohol for human consumption.

In reality, would anyone know you were doing it? Nope. Would 99% of police officers or other legal officials even know what a still was? Nope
Heck you can distill in you freezer.

Edit: for clarity, you can apply for a license and jump through hoops but as far as I am aware it's not likely to be granted without lots of legwork.

basically, that's the same in any country that taxes alcohol and tobacco. you 'can' make your own booze, cigars, and cigarettes as long as you're not selling them. no one will fine you if you're using it for personal consumption.