ace_of_hearts Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I am a total novice but want to start homebrewing. What would be a good foolproof 'all in one' kit to get me started on and where is the best place to get them? Are some kits better quality than others? I guess it is worthwhile to get better kit to start of to re-use on future batches. Also how long does it take from setting up to drinking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Big plastic fermentation bucket with a tap at the bottom. Big pressure barrel with a float and top-tap. I got my kit from these guys http://www.youngshomebrew.co.uk/beer%20equipment%20home.htm Then you can shop around and get the mix kits for Cider/Lager/Ale or whatever you fancy. I've currently got 20L of hard cider on the go for less that 40p a pint, its just finished primary fermentation and will be barrelled to get fizzy either tonight or tomorrow. Total time until first pint; about 21-30 days. All the best with getting drunk off your own brew, its a great feeling! Even better than just getting drunk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 I will declare an interest and admit that this guy is a mate of mine, but one of these kits would get you going. I'd go for the Wherry one personally, it is one of the best malt extract kits out there. http://www.copperkettlehomebrewing.co.uk/home-brewing/38/starter-kits?PHPSESSID=6d81e6d874d177f5fc4d0f3fde085d87 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
working dog Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Ian is a top bloke - great service and good prices. Agree that Wherry is a good starter kit. Generally speaking, if you buy cheap kits you will get a lesser brew and it could put you off brewing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace_of_hearts Posted September 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Thanks for the replies Once the beer is brewed, how long do you have to drink it before I goes bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guest1957 Posted September 21, 2012 Report Share Posted September 21, 2012 Thanks for the replies Once the beer is brewed, how long do you have to drink it before I goes bad? Depends on how you store it. Glass bottles with crown caps ensure a reasonable shelf life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 you`ll drink before it even has a chance to go slightly off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlander Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 You wont look back once you get started, ive just set a st peters ruby red ale going from the Happy brewer in Bedford , If you want to contact me i will point you in the right direction. Outlander. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlander Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) oops Edited September 25, 2012 by Outlander Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 I thought that the Happy Brewer had shut up shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdeor Posted September 25, 2012 Report Share Posted September 25, 2012 I thought that the Happy Brewer had shut up shop. Zapp as the orical on homebrew could you recommend a nice ale and larger that I can brew have treid a few now but there not great . Im talking Kits not brae enough for the whole hops and malt experience yet atb Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Outlander Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Nope , was in there yesty for a kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Zapp as the orical on homebrew could you recommend a nice ale and larger that I can brew have treid a few now but there not great . Im talking Kits not brae enough for the whole hops and malt experience yet atb Jim For lager, I'd go for one of the Coopers kits - I've done the Aussie Lager in the past and it turned out really well. Where ale is concerned, without a doubt go for Woodefordes Wherry - a slightly more expensive kit but the results are very good. You will improve beer kits that require the addition of sugar to the fermenter if you use a Beer Kit Enhancer, which is basically 50% dry malt extract and 50% brewing sugar, or if you use just dry malt extract instead. This will increase the price per pint, but they make a real difference. The Wherry does not need sugar, so the extra cost is negated. One other tip would be to buy some Campden tablets, which are sodium or potassium metabisulphate in tablet form, and add one to the 23 litres of water you are going to use 30 mins before brewing and leave with the lid off. These will remove chloramines from the water, which cause the TCP flavour a lot of kit brewers complain of. After 30 mins, use the water as per the instructions. Re the Happy Brewer, glad to hear he is still going - is it still the ex Policeman running it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdeor Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 Tank for the info Zapp most informative so if wherry needs no sugar assume you dont need to add the beer kit enhancer atb Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 That's right, the wherry kits need no extra sugar for the initial fermentation, which means a fuller tasting beer. They will need priming sugar though when you bottle or barrel it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerdeor Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 So how much priming sugar would recomend per pint bottle atb Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted September 26, 2012 Report Share Posted September 26, 2012 About 2-3g per bottle for ale, and about 4g per bottle for lager. I use a bottling bucket fitted with a little bottler tap which I have marked in litre gradients. That way I prime the entire batch with a sugar solution and then bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace_of_hearts Posted October 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2012 Went to the Happy Brewer today and go myself a full brewing kit Have just set it up now in the dining room. First question though, should I snap the bucket lid down and use an airlock or just leave the lid loose for the 4-6 fermentation days? I ended up with the Wherry kit in the end, and also have a demijohn to try some wine ready for Christmas. Very excited Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 I'd use the airlock, especially at this time of year when fruit flies and other nasties are about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace_of_hearts Posted October 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Thanks Come down this morning (12 hours after starting) and it doesn't seem to be doing a lot Should it be frothing or bubbling or is this normal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Did you rehydrate the yeast in some cooled, boiled water first? If so, I would expect to see something by now. If not, I wouldnt worry too much, it can take a little while to get going if pitched dry. If there is still nothing in another 12 hours I'd be tempted to get hold of a pack of Nottingham ale yeast or similar, rehydrate and pitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace_of_hearts Posted October 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Thanks, I added the yeast as instructed (dry) by having started reading my new book they mentioned that it can be improved upon by rehydrating first I will report back tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace_of_hearts Posted October 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 And a quick picture of my dining room setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted October 5, 2012 Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 +1 for what zapp said RE the extra yeast. It may well be that the liquid wasn't quite at temperature for the yeast to kick in, and it takes a large volume of liquid like that to heat up or cool down depending on the ambient temperature of the room. If the rooms a bit on the cool side, you might want to up the temperature just to get the yeast going. Tou couldl aslo take a sterilised spoon and give it a really good stir to mix the yeast up and oxygenate the whole lot. Obviously, every time you lift the lid or put something into the beer you do risk the chance of bugs getting in but I find it's more resilient than you'd think. Just for information - using rehydrated yeast is a good thing to do on a couple of counts, one, yu know the yeast is working and viable, and two you have less chance of getting an infection in the beer when the yeast is working so you don't have that 6-12 hour delay you have in waiting for dried yeast to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ace_of_hearts Posted October 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2012 Just to add the brew now looks to have a good inch or so of froth on top, and the airlock is bubbling violently. Obviously just a slow starter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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