Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Eating and Drinking => Homebrew => Topic started by: n.b83 on June 25, 2009, 19:12

Title: Bitter home brewing
Post by: n.b83 on June 25, 2009, 19:12
Hi There Everyone,

I got a Home brewing kit from wilkos for farthersday which makes 40 pints of bitter.
It say I need a pressure barrel to store it in.
Do I need to inject the bitter with co2 or do I just add it to the barrel when its ready?

Thanks Neil
Title: Re: Bitter home brewing
Post by: BrianK on June 25, 2009, 19:37
You will be OK with plastic bottles to be honest. T here will be a few issues.  Flatter and cloudier beer  than you are used to for one. Depends if your going to brew to save a fortune or to have fun etc.  If save money then try it without. If you enjoy a beer and can afford a few more quid then gradually add to your equipment as the need arises.

I just got a barrel  with a Co2 canister for my cider making at 34 quid. It isn't because I disliked the less fizzy cider. Its because theres sediment at the bottom of each 2 litre bottle so you have to pour carefully and lose the bottom 2 cm. Having a barrel avoids those issues. I don't know how it compares with bitter brewing though.

It depends how you like your beer. Real ale or fizzy commercial stuff.

Title: Re: Bitter home brewing
Post by: The Norfolk Turkey on June 25, 2009, 20:28
I had a go at brewing my own bitter a LONG time ago, because a mate had done the same (Woodefordes) with impressive results (both quantity and quality!!). I bottled it, it was ok (possibly cos it was essentially free?!) and his was in a pressurised barrel, it wasnt fizzy, but it certainly lifted the flavour and possibly would have kept it slightly fresher (given the chance!).

Im thinking of investing in a new kit, lost the old one when I moved, is the wilco one good?
Title: Re: Bitter home brewing
Post by: n.b83 on June 25, 2009, 21:19
The wilko one comes with everything you need to start. It makes 80 pints altogether, so for £20 its a bargin.

Title: Re: Bitter home brewing
Post by: pushrod on June 28, 2009, 23:23
I had a go at brewing my own bitter a LONG time ago, because a mate had done the same (Woodefordes) with impressive results (both quantity and quality!!). I bottled it, it was ok (possibly cos it was essentially free?!) and his was in a pressurised barrel, it wasnt fizzy, but it certainly lifted the flavour and possibly would have kept it slightly fresher (given the chance!).

Im thinking of investing in a new kit, lost the old one when I moved, is the wilco one good?

Wilko do sell a woodfordes wherry home brew for £14.99 which is more expensive than most but i can definitely recommend it  :D
Title: Re: Bitter home brewing
Post by: Jay Dubya on July 09, 2009, 20:48
Hi, when you put your beer in the barrel add 3oz. sugar to prime the barrel the pressure will last.