Markio Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 The Sloe Gin thread got me thinking. Is home brewing (wine and beer) worth the wait? Fancy giving it a go but not if the results are just mediocre. There's a brewing shop local to me, Colchester Homebrew Supplies, can anyone in the 'know' check it out the website for me and make recommendations on the beer and wine kits they have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 i have some spare gear - but when asda is knocking out a slab of the 1664 for under a tenner..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryantidgwell Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 hmmmmmmmmm sloe gin i made 35 litres of the stuff a couple of years ago and was hooked on it even tho i hate gin with a passion ! sloe gin as got to be on top of my list ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 i have some spare gear - but when asda is knocking out a slab of the 1664 for under a tenner..... That's what put me off. If you wait a while, one of the supermarkets is always virtually giving away decent beer, it doesn't seem worth waiting weeks for a pint of paint-stripper I got that 1664 offer, £7 for 18 bottles . They had a similar deal on Becks recently and so it goes on. Trouble is, I do like Bitter as well. I don't mind this canned "Smooth" stuff, but I prefer it draught, I'm just not sure home brew would hit the spot . I know it used to be dire stuff, but I dare say the kits have come on a bit since those days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 We brew our own elderberry wine - its much much cheaper than hardys which is the only other red wine i can drink and it's absolutely beautiful too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajb403 Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Been brewing from the kits for the last year or so and haven't had a bad brew yet - apparently they've improved massively from the kits available 15-20 years ago. Definately not paint stripper. Set up costs are around 60 quid but then it'll be costing you ~35p per pint to make. Lots of good info here: http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/index.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I spent 72ish quid for all the kit and a packet good for 40 pints. I was left with a very drinkable dry cider at around the 10% mark working out at £1.80 a pint.... Not bad going really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 The Sloe Gin thread got me thinking. Is home brewing (wine and beer) worth the wait? Fancy giving it a go but not if the results are just mediocre. There's a brewing shop local to me, Colchester Homebrew Supplies, can anyone in the 'know' check it out the website for me and make recommendations on the beer and wine kits they have? my mate makes loads of home made wine, he gave me an easy recipe that is lovely, you need a 1 gallon demi john and in it you put. 1 ordinary size bottle of ribena cordial (not squash) 1/2 a bag of sugar 1/2 tsp yeast top up with luke warm water and insert the bubbler 6 weeks later have a taste and add extra sugar to taste, wait 4 more weeks and get the glasses out its bloody lovely mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted August 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 i have some spare gear - but when asda is knocking out a slab of the 1664 for under a tenner..... Point taken, just seen Tesco are putting out 15 cans (440ml) of Carlsberg for £5 if you spend £30 in store. You can't knock that. Any more thoughts on the wine kits in that web site? We have plenty of bottle to use, cough cough. Sorry Mikee but basing any 'wine' on ribena can't be a good idea, don't you just get alcoholic ribena? That's why the have Gallo and Blossom Hill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikee Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 markio, thats what i thought until i tried it, doesnt taste of ribena, just has a lovely fruity flavour and a pale pinky colour mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm the hedge behind my house is heaving with large blackberrys, i shall start picking and freezing until i have about a stone, most of which will be made into blackberry wine mikee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexr Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Chard Have you tried anything from the dunham massy brewery near the axe and clever down the side of dunham park ? Pricey but worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDF Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Funny this thread just started when we were given 15 demijohns earlier! I'm probably going to start making some cider soon. Anybody make cider here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Funny this thread just started when we were given 15 demijohns earlier! I'm probably going to start making some cider soon. Anybody make cider here? Yea I just made up my first batch.. origional thread can be found here ==> http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/ind...c=88562&hl= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) Markio, I had the whole kit and gave it to a mate who has done nothing but adorn his shed with it. It you want a stab at the beers, let me know and I'll get it over to you. However, I find that most homebrew beer makers can't make a decent brew - even a half decent brew tastes awful compared to a cold brew from the local offy continental bevvy fridge. Every home brewer swears blind that *they* have cracked it - but it's mainly delusional. They kid themselves that they can't taste the wicked yeast bite from their brew - much like only seeing the good in your own children. If I were to start again, and frankly I won't be bothering having found the Sunday Times Wine club, then I would go the wine route or sloe gin route - I have tasted nice home brew wine and sloe gin and can only measure against my own taste buds. However, I defy anyone to produce a home brew beer at Bisley that doesn't taste ****. Edited August 2, 2009 by Mungler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Mark, I had a long chat with the guy who runs that shop at a local food fayre in Castle park recently, they had several home brewed beers that you could try on his stand. Some of them were really nice but I couldn't help thinking that they were not really a home brew. I have tried several different wine kits and recipes and have only really ever succeeded in making a product to rival "CILLIT BANG" There was a kit which was called Ibrew I think which was very good value as it was complete but I wasn't really convinced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDF Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgun_tommy Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I spent 72ish quid for all the kit and a packet good for 40 pints. I was left with a very drinkable dry cider at around the 10% mark working out at £1.80 a pint.... Not bad going really! so does the cider get you drunk? how long did it take to complete.. jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
libs Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) Markio, I had the whole kit and gave it to a mate who has done nothing but adorn his shed with it. It you want a stab at the beers, let me know and I'll get it over to you. However, I find that most homebrew beer makers can't make a decent brew - even a half decent brew tastes awful compared to a cold brew from the local offy continental bevvy fridge. Every home brewer swears blind that *they* have cracked it - but it's mainly delusional. They kid themselves that they can't taste the wicked yeast bite from their brew - much like only seeing the good in your own children. If I were to start again, and frankly I won't be bothering having found the Sunday Times Wine club, then I would go the wine route or sloe gin route - I have tasted nice home brew wine and sloe gin and can only measure against my own taste buds. However, I defy anyone to produce a home brew beer at Bisley that doesn't taste ****. Right its on, I'm gonna fill up an old bottle of some sort with some of my cider and let you see that its taste of **** not **** Edited August 2, 2009 by libs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Yes, it'd definately worth it I've just started up again after a break of a couple of years and am getting really into it. I have done two kit brews so far (a stout and a wheat beer), and both turned out very nice indeed, for the princely sum of about 35p a pint. I'm looking at getting the extra equipment I need to do all grain brewing for my birthday. Once I get the hang of that, the sky (or maybe A&E's stomach pumping room) is the limit. ZB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floating Chamber Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Try Harris filters! Next day delivery. Makers of Gornal bitter/Mild/Lager. FC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nial Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I've just started up again after a break of a couple of years and am getting really into it. I have done two kit brews so far (a stout and a wheat beer), and both turned out very nice indeed, for the princely sum of about 35p a pint. Who did the wheat beer kit, I'm a big fan! Nial Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drut Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 "Yes, it'd definately worth it good.gif I've just started up again after a break of a couple of years and am getting really into it. I have done two kit brews so far (a stout and a wheat beer), and both turned out very nice indeed, for the princely sum of about 35p a pint." Just started myself again after a 20yr break,made 6 lager brews up to now & all enjoyable fortunately! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaniel Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 I made 30 odd pints of caxton strong bitter and i love it, yep you can buy cheap beer but i enjoy making it to be honest. got to make some more wine plum wine is excellent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zapp Posted August 2, 2009 Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 Who did the wheat beer kit, I'm a big fan! Nial It was an Edme Superbrew Gold kit. You can order it HERE The results are pretty palatable ZB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted August 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2009 (edited) I've just started up again after a break of a couple of years and am getting really into it. I have done two kit brews so far (a stout and a wheat beer), and both turned out very nice indeed, for the princely sum of about 35p a pint. Just started myself again after a 20yr break,made 6 lager brews up to now & all enjoyable fortunately! So what brand/kit did you use? I need names godammit! EDIT: ****, Zap got in there. Over to you drut. Edited August 2, 2009 by Markio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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