Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Homebrew => Topic started by: Asherweef on January 04, 2015, 09:13

Title: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Asherweef on January 04, 2015, 09:13
Morning campers,

I'm going to be having my first ever brewday today: a St Peter's Golden Ale kit. I've got (I think) all of my bits and bobs and will be giving them a good sterilise before conducting the brew. Does anybody have any insider tips or best practise? I'm open to the fact that this one may be a failure but I'd really prefer that it wasn't...
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Kevin67 on January 04, 2015, 09:37
Only go for it!

I remember being nervous with my first brew, but then I did a batch as a sort of insurance if one of them went wrong.

The biggest tip is to maintain the temperature well after the yeast is pitched.

Good luck and don't forget to enjoy it!
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on January 04, 2015, 10:38
I've got a red wine kit from 2 Christmas ago that I've not been brave enough to have a go at. Your post might inspire me to get it out & have a go Asherweef.
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Kevin67 on January 04, 2015, 11:52
Go for it! It's no good sat in a box!
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Asherweef on January 04, 2015, 17:50
It's done!npics to follow. Couldn't have been simpler only I'm concerned that I didn't wash the steriliser out properly as bubbles appeared when I added water to the can contents... Time will tell!

I say do it though, snowdrops :D
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Kevin67 on January 04, 2015, 17:52
Well Done!

I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Let us know what it tastes like!

Good Luck!
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on January 04, 2015, 19:33
Thanks both I will find it out this week & read through then aim to have a bash next weekend, will need to get some sterilising fluid/ tablets. What did you use, Milton or is it Campden (sp)tablets, I remember my dad having those. I might be going to see my mum weds,Thursday,fri so it will be the weekend before I'm ready to go
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Kevin67 on January 04, 2015, 19:46
I've never used Campden tablets or any sterilising fluid. I know the purists will be horrified!

As long as your equipment is clean is all you need.

For me, that means washing stuff a few times in soap liquid, rinsing off lots - I've even used fish tank gravel on really bad demi-johns. I've always finished off by using lots of warm/hot water to make sure it is properly clean after the initial soapy wash(es).


e2a:
By clean I mean as clean and sterile as you can get it.
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Asherweef on January 04, 2015, 19:58
I used Young's :)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: grinling on January 04, 2015, 22:47
you will need campden to stop the fementing when racked.We are currently drinking elderade as we didn't. I am normally slow in racking into a new demijohn. Kits are best left for months before bottling. we normally bottle after racking a year later
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: pepsi100 on February 27, 2015, 00:11
I came back to wine making after a break of several years, I was surprised how few shops are left now (just Wilkinsons) and how much a kit costs

Well I bought demi johns, and all the other bits I needed and then went fruit picking, got gooseberries (I made a really good one of them I remember)

I posted a post in here about it clearing, a very kind member helped me out, but it doesnt smell like I remember it

Cant wait for the fruit picking time this year (maybe by then the gooseberry wine will be worth drinking (if not I'll just add some more gooseberry juice to what I have)

Good luck with it, lets know how you got on with it
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Mrs Bee on February 27, 2015, 00:16
Mr Bee always used campden tablets when he used to make wine.

I used to pinch them to stop the apples going brown when preparing them for the freezer. :blush:
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Growster... on February 27, 2015, 06:46
Pepsi, have a look online as there are several great firms selling absolutely everything! If you want our supplier's name, please PM me! We've spent hundreds of pounds with them over the last year or so, they're so quick - and cheaper than Wilkos!
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: pepsi100 on February 27, 2015, 08:11
Thanks, PM sent  :)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Growster... on February 27, 2015, 09:09
No problem Pepsi, PM sent  as well!
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Mrs Bee on February 27, 2015, 10:23
Please may I have their address too Mr Growster. I have been toying with the idea of having go at cider.

I might be able to get Mr Bee interested again.
 :)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Snoop on February 27, 2015, 14:21
you will need campden to stop the fermenting when racked.We are currently drinking elderade as we didn't.

I was given something similar but it was described as Elderflower Champagne. Delicious it was, too.
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on March 01, 2015, 15:39
Well yesterday I finally got round to starting my first wine kit,Cabernet Sauvignon. This morning it's bubbling away well on the spare room window ledge.
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Asherweef on March 05, 2015, 07:42
I might be wrong but don't they need to be out of direct sunlight?

Still not posted my pics...!
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on March 05, 2015, 08:45
Oh, I didn't know that,it's been bubbling away all week & is just beginning to slow down this morning.
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: pepsi100 on March 05, 2015, 09:01
Its where I put anything that I am making, regardless of colour, never had a problem

It bubbles more as the sun comes up and warms the room, dies back in the evenings
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Growster... on March 05, 2015, 15:37
I might be wrong but don't they need to be out of direct sunlight?

Still not posted my pics...!

It's only because it might fade a bit, Asherweef, I never bothered about keeping it in the shade either!
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Auntiemogs on March 05, 2015, 20:46
If anyone likes rose, The Range do a 30 bottle kit for just over £20 (needs 3.5Kg sugar).  It clears extremely well and tastes just like a Gallo Grenache... :tongue2:
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Asherweef on March 09, 2015, 18:40
I might be wrong but don't they need to be out of direct sunlight?

Still not posted my pics...!

It's only because it might fade a bit, Asherweef, I never bothered about keeping it in the shade either!

Ahh Okay :)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on March 09, 2015, 18:56
Just an update, my wine has now finished. I added all the various sachets as instructed, just a day late as I was out all day on Saturday. I'm now waiting for Campden tablets to sterilise my used wine bottles & should have them tomorrow so will rack it & bottle all being well. I didn't think an extra 24 hours clearing would matter  :unsure:
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Growster... on March 09, 2015, 19:46
Just an update, my wine has now finished. I added all the various sachets as instructed, just a day late as I was out all day on Saturday. I'm now waiting for Campden tablets to sterilise my used wine bottles & should have them tomorrow so will rack it & bottle all being well. I didn't think an extra 24 hours clearing would matter  :unsure:

Don't worry too much about timing, Snows, it'll be all the better for a few hours - or days longer!

We just use 4 pint milk bottles to rack into from a five gallon fermenter, then we leave them for a few days and even then there's maybe a tiny bit of residue, so I sometimes rack a second time - depends how thirsty we are! It takes just a couple of minutes, and makes a difference if the wine is about two weeks old!

Hope it all turns out good for you!

;0)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on March 09, 2015, 20:41
The kit came with 2 buckets & says to rack from 1 bucket to the other, the if clear into the bottles. I'm not sure when it will be drinkable.it says you can drink it almost straight away. Can that be right?
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Growster... on March 10, 2015, 05:40
The kit came with 2 buckets & says to rack from 1 bucket to the other, the if clear into the bottles. I'm not sure when it will be drinkable.it says you can drink it almost straight away. Can that be right?

Probably is right, Snows! Did you use finings, because they can drop everything out in a day sometimes!

Why not taste some from the top - I would!

;0)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on March 10, 2015, 07:18
Yes it came with 3 sachets of finings, each one added an hour after the other, then wait 24 hours for it to clear,then rack. That should have been yesterday,but the bottles weren't ready & I've got a bug so I kept away from it
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Growster... on March 10, 2015, 17:20
Yes it came with 3 sachets of finings, each one added an hour after the other, then wait 24 hours for it to clear,then rack. That should have been yesterday,but the bottles weren't ready & I've got a bug so I kept away from it

Hope you feel better soon, Snows! By the time you do, get racking!

;0)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on March 10, 2015, 17:46
Thanks Mr G, still feeling rough so I've let it be,how long can it stay without racking
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: Growster... on March 10, 2015, 20:49
Just take it easy Snows, it won't go bad and will definitely improve, so get better then get the racking bits going when you feel better!

You've got plenty of time - believe me! Growster has spoken!

;0)
Title: Re: First Ever Brewday
Post by: snowdrops on March 10, 2015, 21:01
Thank you, I will do as told  :D