[jimbeekeeper]

Bottled mine off on firday just gone. approx 5 L into beer bottles and 6L into 2 x 2L fizzy pop bottles.

As I had done mine to full fermentation with airlocks, I added a bit of sugar to start secondary fermentation in the bottles for fizz.

Allready a slight pressure is noted in the plastic bottles.

But I do cider in them and have some from last year that are still rock hard.

[MoreWhisky]

I know your not keen on the HFW method Jim but all i can say i degassed the pop bottles everyday for 2 weeks with no problems at all.

Put them in the fridge day before drinking and WOW

Im gona make loads next yr! The elderflowers round here at the momonet look a bit sad im afraid.

Top recipe and soo easy to!

[1st time veg grower]

Enjoyed my first glass this evening - I too found the recipe very easy...no complaints here!

[ohbeary]

I'm with Jim, ferment to dry under airlock, no vinegar in mine and SG 1080, prime and bottle

[Maccbean]

I made mine on Saturday.  I was a bit worried that the flowers might be past their best, but we have hundreds of trees along the canal and the flowers were fine.  Only problem is that I might have put in a few too many!  I've made 25 litres so I'm hoping it'll be good! Nothing is happening yet, but reading some of the feedback here, I might just wait a couple more days before adding yeast (which I will need to buy off the internet anyway as we don't have a brewery shop anywhere nearby).

I have a mixture of glass and plastic bottles with screw tops, and was hoping someone might tell me how to sterilise the plastic bottles without having to use specific brewery stuff.  I do have some sterilising fluid, but I'm worried that it will leave a taste in the bottles.  Any advice appreciated?

[jimbeekeeper]

Theres no right or wrong way, but I am just used to doing it with airlocks.

[Maccbean]

I made mine on Saturday.  So far there is no fizzing so I think I might have to add some yeast, but there are definite mouldy patches on top.  Is this ok?

[8doubles]

Sounds normal, the wild yeasts are often slow to get going which is why i put a pinch of packet wine yeast in.


I think homemade elderflower champagne will soon be banned as a gallon of it puts out more CO2 than the average jumbo jet flight.

Must go and ease the pressure again 

[MoreWhisky]

Mines now all gone 

[lmpd]

and mine


doing it on an industrial scale next year

[jimbeekeeper]

I have a stash of frozen flowers ready to make an Christmas brew

[rozalia]

Made  elderflower champagne in 9x2litre plasic bottles 3 weeks ago.  Drank 2. Degassed bottles every 2/3 days.  Explosion in shed where the bottles are kept  last night at 11pm! One bottle had blown dramatically! Immediately degassed the rest.
Q: how much longer do I have to keep degassing to prevent the rest exploding?

[MoreWhisky]

Sorry cant help you as mine didnt last long enough 

Im already looking forward to next yr just to collect more flowers 

[jimbeekeeper]

Its now over a bonth after bottling mine, following the pre fermentation method.

On cracking the bottle cap, a very nice fizz, but no loss of product.


Very strong smell of the flowers, and quite a strong tast. But a few swigs in and very nice.

Cant wait to try my frozen batch of flowers for an xmass brew.

[MoreWhisky]

Saw my first white flowers on my walk tonight  , only a couple on the bushes but they have started flowering.

Will be gearing up to start production on Saturday. Cant wait im gona make loads more this yr. I can almost taste it now mmmmm.