Home brew

[jimbolala]

I got a homebrew kit for Xmas and made a Coopers Ale. I was surprised at how easy it was, but the Ale was a bit bland, almost Smithwicks like( of course I stick got lickered on it) so I got this German type beer and within a few weeks I have a tasty German beer ready to guzzle and it's quite hoppy.

Today I had a bit of a revelation as I was going to the recycling dump with empty bottles , why not just re use these doh. So I went to the brew shop got some caps and a capper, bought another beer kit and am now ready to brew a John Bull Ale.

It's quite exciting just doing the simple beer kits but I met this old timer in the brew shop who was talking about mash etc, now that seems a big step at the moment but sounds fantastic .

Did anyone else try these kits or have any tips which beer kits to try next

[charlie clown]

Never made any myself but my dad used to make it fairly often, but in his desparation for cheap beer would always drink it before it was ready.

 

Have considered it a few times though, I have a cellar so that woudl seem a sensible place to make it if I had a go. How easy is it?

[SkippyjonJones]

Friend of mine does this. however as he has a farm he's taken it a bit further with fixing up the waterwheel next to his barn to power everything and heat from wood. he's now growing a bunch of hops to go fully independent.

 

luckily for me he spent several years experimenting with beers and keep forcing his friends to test them.

 

oh - and he built his own bar too

 

[Kvarme Ate My Food]

The Picobrew looks awesome. Bloody expensive though.

[jimbolala]

Never made any myself but my dad used to make it fairly often, but in his desparation for cheap beer would always drink it before it was ready.

 

Have considered it a few times though, I have a cellar so that woudl seem a sensible place to make it if I had a go. How easy is it?

It's incredibly easy . I got the coopers starter kit of the Internet and in 3 weeks have beer. Bizzare

[Will]

Did a couple of batches of bitter about 4 years ago which was very drinkable. Did a fruity cider earlier this year which has gone down very well (especially with my father-in-law and nephew). I've got a bitter ready to get going soon - maybe next weekend...

[jimbolala]

My wife has now taken over the brew kit to make ginger beer seeing she likes crabbies. Have to wait before I start in my ale, just have to guzzle as much as this German beer as possible to free up the bottles then !!