JDog Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 We made some for the first time this year and had it mixed with presecco on the beach in the sun the other day. Marvellous. The flowers will only be good for picking round here for the next few days so I will have to get out again soon. It has been a rewarding exercise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 I uncovered about 12 bottles in one of my sheds last week. I thought we had drunk it all. I think it’s last years and it tasted great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovercoupe Posted June 12, 2018 Report Share Posted June 12, 2018 I'm out this year, the last stuff that was brewed could fuel a car and if enough was consumed you ended up with spinny room syndrome for hours! Good for stripping paint and unblocking drains though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted June 5, 2020 Report Share Posted June 5, 2020 (edited) just to resurrect an old thread anyone brewing any this year, i haven't done any for a few years but tempted to have a go again this year, just need to get some yeast and some steriliser tablets. Edited June 5, 2020 by paul1966 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellow Bear Posted June 5, 2020 Report Share Posted June 5, 2020 40 minutes ago, paul1966 said: just need to get some yeast Therein will lie your problem ATM! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted June 5, 2020 Report Share Posted June 5, 2020 We had our first of the season yesterday evening. Very good it was too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted June 6, 2020 Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 Has anyone ever made elderberry champagne from Sambucus Nigra ? Just wondered whether it would work as my tree is just sprouting it's pink flower heads. Have made some ordinary stuff, picked midday during a sunny spell and it was/is great. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 6, 2020 Report Share Posted June 6, 2020 when i made elderflower champers many many moons ago ...i cant ever remember putting yeast into it..........yet the reciepes say you do......??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Boggy Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 10 hours ago, ditchman said: when i made elderflower champers many many moons ago ...i cant ever remember putting yeast into it..........yet the reciepes say you do......??? You are quite right there Ditchy. Provided the heads are from a clean atmosphere (not a busy roadside), picked on a sunny day and not washed, there is enough natural yeast to enable fermentation. I've never used yeast and have always had a good batch. Going to try heads from my Sambucus Nigra today, which should give a pink blush to the brew. OB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted June 7, 2020 Report Share Posted June 7, 2020 11 minutes ago, Old Boggy said: You are quite right there Ditchy. Provided the heads are from a clean atmosphere (not a busy roadside), picked on a sunny day and not washed, there is enough natural yeast to enable fermentation. I've never used yeast and have always had a good batch. Going to try heads from my Sambucus Nigra today, which should give a pink blush to the brew. OB thats excactly what i was told................and the champagne that i got WAS THE COLOUR OF CHAMPAGNE....not that opache colour............ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted June 8, 2020 Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 I was reading this thread last night and thought making some would be a fun thing to do. Whilst cutting the grass an hour ago I seen these white flowers, on a bush, in the front. Are they elder flowers and if so, where can I buy all the stuff I need? I know boots used to have a home brewing section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted June 8, 2020 Report Share Posted June 8, 2020 Scrap that. I think it’s Pyracantha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted June 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2020 @markm That is not elder flower, picture below is elder flower. Here is a link to home brew site for the equipment. All you need is fermentation bin, I use the 25litre ones and some of the P.E.T bottles brown 500ml. https://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Champagne-Cages-Foils-Stoppers.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted June 9, 2020 Report Share Posted June 9, 2020 5 hours ago, 7daysinaweek said: @markm That is not elder flower, picture below is elder flower. Here is a link to home brew site for the equipment. All you need is fermentation bin, I use the 25litre ones and some of the P.E.T bottles brown 500ml. https://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/Champagne-Cages-Foils-Stoppers.html Thanks mate. I’m going hunting this week for some Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerCat Posted June 10, 2020 Report Share Posted June 10, 2020 On 06/06/2020 at 06:55, Old Boggy said: Has anyone ever made elderberry champagne from Sambucus Nigra ? Just wondered whether it would work as my tree is just sprouting it's pink flower heads. Have made some ordinary stuff, picked midday during a sunny spell and it was/is great. OB Yes. Its pink when made. I fluffed up with too many lemons but may have a go this year. More fragrance to it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted June 10, 2020 Report Share Posted June 10, 2020 The only trouble with natural yeast is that it's not normally strong enough to get a decent fermentation going - Proper yeast and a little sugar give it more bang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted June 11, 2020 Report Share Posted June 11, 2020 Think I’ve found one? Can anyone confirm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDog Posted June 11, 2020 Report Share Posted June 11, 2020 Markm, Yes that is what you are looking for. Only the open florets will be of any use to you. The thought of you trying to make a cordial of Pyracantha flowers is amusing. I am pleased you have found the right stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul1966 Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 To resurrect the annual elderflower champagne thread I am starting to get together what I need to make a couple of batches next month, I have a load of brown pet bottles that have been used previously, will these be ok to use again?, I remember they swelled a lot last time I made some and I am wondering if they may have been weakened as a result. At least I'll be able to get some yeast this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted May 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 1 hour ago, paul1966 said: To resurrect the annual elderflower champagne thread I am starting to get together what I need to make a couple of batches next month, I have a load of brown pet bottles that have been used previously, will these be ok to use again?, I remember they swelled a lot last time I made some and I am wondering if they may have been weakened as a result. At least I'll be able to get some yeast this year! Hi Paul I see you have ressurected my old thread. I have used the brown PET bottles a second time round and a few of them "gave way" and several leaked the gas despite putting new caps on. I also find it was very consuming recleaning and sterilising them for the amount I make. I did not make any last year but am doing my normal batch which I have made for years. As you can see from my pictures I make a fair few. Good luck with your batch and post up how it is going. atb 7diaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted May 18, 2021 Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 On 05/07/2016 at 23:09, 7daysinaweek said: hi rovercoupe how many days have you brewed it for ? if it is around the 12 days mark, will be fine to bottle, as said just make sure you use plastic bottles and not glass as i have said. sorry for any unanswered questions just back from holiday today. atb 7diaw I followed Philip’s (7diaw) advice last year from here and via PM - he was a massive help - It worked brilliantly. I’ve got 6 bottles left out of 48. Since then I’ve started brewing all kinds of stuff. Been planning this year’s batch for a month or so, got everything I need and going to make a few subtle changes. Will be an annual thing from now on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted May 18, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 Mark Let us know how your batch gets on and what changes you make along the way. Any improvements welcomed. atb 7diaw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 (edited) 12 hours ago, 7daysinaweek said: Mark Let us know how your batch gets on and what changes you make along the way. Any improvements welcomed. atb 7diaw The plan is to stick to your very successful recipe. But - swap out 1/2 the normal sugar for brewing sugar, add some champagne yeast (sachet), increase the time in the 25 litre brewing tub to 14 days (depending on how it goes) and use carb drops in the bottles. I also plan on venting the bottles to stop them bulging. I’ve had some very drunk people in my house (garden) drinking home made sloe gin mixed with my elderflower champagne. Edited May 19, 2021 by markm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted May 19, 2021 Author Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7daysinaweek Posted June 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2022 Made this years batch, just 75 litres this year. This season, the trees in our vilage are absolutely stuffed with flowers, that of the like I have not seen for many, many years. Picked 150 heads from a row of trees in about 15 minutes. What a wonderful sight and smell it was. Took me about an hour to make, will let it ferment now then will post up again in 10-12 days when I am bottling it. Anyone else having a bash this year, and if so, how are your 'brews' coming along? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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