Homebrew Beer Howto

BeerNut · 08-11-2017 10:34AM

fryup wrote: »

Not referring to sweetness...........i just don't want it turning to vinegar

That's a hygiene thing. Sanitise properly and you won't have a problem.

fryup wrote: »

btw...should i use demijohns?...do they make fermentation quicker?

Don't see how. Cider isn't like beer though, ie ferment it to the end then it's ready to drink. Any I've made have benefited from at least six months in the bottle, and start to get properly good after a year.

fryup · 09-11-2017 09:42PM

a year? no way i'm planning this brew for xmas

fryup · 15-11-2017 11:14AM

i have my cider in a brew bucket for 5 days now and there's no sign of any bubbles going through the airlocks

rubadub · 15-11-2017 11:17AM

fryup wrote: »

i have my cider in a brew bucket for 5 days now and there's no sign of any bubbles going through the airlocks

is there any activity on the top of the brew, any bubbles. The lid could well not be a perfect seal (which is not an issue).

BeerNut · 15-11-2017 01:14PM

fryup wrote: »

i have my cider in a brew bucket for 5 days now and there's no sign of any bubbles going through the airlocks

Checking the gravity is the only way to know whether fermentation is happening or not.

fryup · 16-11-2017 11:20AM

rubadub wrote: »

is there any activity on the top of the brew, any bubbles. The lid could well not be a perfect seal (which is not an issue).

there's a froth and a few bubbles, the lid over time rises slightly when closed..so i presume thats the gas building up?

BeerNut wrote: »

Checking the gravity is the only way to know whether fermentation is happening or not.

with a hydrometer? you wouldn't see much difference after a few days though ?

BeardySi · 16-11-2017 02:33PM

fryup wrote: »

with a hydrometer? you wouldn't see much difference after a few days though ?

The bulk of the fermentation should be done by 4-5 days.

fryup · 19-12-2017 11:51PM

Re: Cider

when i was syphoning off today from the bucket the last two litres or so was soupy brown is this safe to bottle or should i discard?

BeerNut · 20-12-2017 12:07AM

Mightn't taste great but it's safe. Just mark the bottles so you know.

fryup · 20-12-2017 12:22AM

^^^^^^^^^^

could i dilute it with water ?

BeerNut · 20-12-2017 12:55AM

You could but don't. It won't make it any better.

mordeith · 20-12-2017 02:15PM

Having discovered the joys of a bottling wand I was just wondering if anyone uses Starsan for their bottles and is it really a one minute contact 'no rinse' sterilizer? I would be concerned that there would some taste effects?
At the moment I just use Young's powder.

stecleary · 20-12-2017 05:38PM

mordeith wrote: »

Having discovered the joys of a bottling wand I was just wondering if anyone uses Starsan for their bottles and is it really a one minute contact 'no rinse' sterilizer? I would be concerned that there would some taste effects?
At the moment I just use Young's powder.

never had issues not rinsing starsan and i use it in every stage of brewing.

fryup · 21-12-2017 11:14AM

BeerNut wrote: »

You could but don't. It won't make it any better.

the cider i bottled was kinda cloudy...maybe i should have waited till it was clear?

the gravity reading was 1.000 from 1.050 so i presume fermentation had stopped?

BeerNut · 21-12-2017 03:14PM

Cider can sometimes go below 1.000, though it's unlikely with that starting gravity. The main thing is that the number stays steady.

12-10-2018 11:47AM

I have a second bucket that i want to turn into a bottling bucket, i have tap bottling wand, what is the best and safest way to put a hole in this bucket? I assume a drill and if so what is the best size bit to use?

Also anyone know where i can pick up caps in dublin city centre forgot to order some and i'm due to bottle sunday/monday?

BeerNut · 12-10-2018 01:33PM

ronnoco13 wrote: »

what is the best and safest way to put a hole in this bucket? I assume a drill and if so what is the best size bit to use?

People generally use a hole saw for that. I'm not an expert but I'd say the same size as your tap is the size to cut. Personally I think it's easier and more hygienic to use an autosyphon with a bottling wand instead of fitting a tap.

ronnoco13 wrote: »

Also anyone know where i can pick up caps in dublin city centre

I don't think you can. The Homebrew Company might be able to rush you some if you ask.

raxy · 18-10-2018 06:11PM

Tesco in singles used to stock some homebrew gear. Not sure if they still do though. It's about 6 years since I lived there. You could maybe call them first to see.

I'd give you some but I'm away this w/e.

stecleary · 21-10-2018 04:09PM

raxy wrote: »

Tesco in singles used to stock some homebrew gear. Not sure if they still do though. It's about 6 years since I lived there. You could maybe call them first to see.

I'd give you some but I'm away this w/e.

tesco seem to have stopped stocking home brew stuff in Ireland

cj maxx · 21-10-2018 09:41PM

I often thought of
Home brewing and I'm going to give it a go.
Questions
What would be a nice red ale to try ?
What do I need and how much will it cost roughly
Around how long will it take ?
I've read the sticky but its all gobbly gook to me.
I'll probably be getting it all online or is their a shop to get it and advice.
Thanks

BeerNut · 22-10-2018 12:52PM

cjmc wrote: »

What would be a nice red ale to try ?

There's a St Peter's Ruby Red Ale kit that's probably grand. 3kg kits are generally better quality than the 1.8kg ones as you don't need to add extra fermentables.

cjmc wrote: »

What do I need and how much will it cost roughly

The homebrew suppliers all do a starter set of equipment for about €60. Add €30 for a decent 3kg kit and you should be up and running for under €100. Start collecting used beer bottles now.

cjmc wrote: »

Around how long will it take ?

Give it two weeks in the fermenter, minimum, and another two in the bottle to carbonate. In general, the longer you leave it the better.

cjmc wrote: »

I'll probably be getting it all online or is their a shop to get it and advice.

All online these days, AFAIK. If you have a local branch of the National Homebrew Club in your area they'll be able to offer feedback and advice.

cj maxx · 22-10-2018 01:01PM

Thanks beernut
Any size bottle will do ?

BeerNut · 22-10-2018 01:13PM

Yes. It must have previously held something fizzy. If it had a normal crown cap on it it can be re-capped (though I wouldn't risk screw-offs). Brown glass is best. You can use clear or green but the beer should be stored in darkness.

cj maxx · 22-10-2018 01:24PM

Luckily I have 15 Brown 500ml bottles that I 'found'

BeerNut · 22-10-2018 01:48PM

Kit batches are generally about 20L so you'll need a few more than that.

Bogwoppit · 22-10-2018 02:25PM

You'll need 40-45 500ml bottles, rinse them as soon as you've emptied them as it makes them much easier to clean later.

raxy · 22-10-2018 07:44PM

Copper bottles are handy for starting off until you collect enough glass bottles. Also useful for checking if bottles have carb'd.

The woodfords wherry is another good kit to try.

cj maxx · 15-12-2018 04:02PM

Hi . I've been busy collecting Brown bottle, loads of them

. I'm thinking of the st peters kit .
How should I clean them and as regards capping do I need to measure bottles or is it one size fits all.
Also I'll be doing this in the garage so will cold temperature affect the brew at all

raxy · 15-12-2018 05:39PM

cjmc wrote: »

Hi . I've been busy collecting Brown bottle, loads of them . I'm thinking of the st peters kit .
How should I clean them and as regards capping do I need to measure bottles or is it one size fits all.
Also I'll be doing this in the garage so will cold temperature affect the brew at all

How did you clean them as you were collecting? I usually just rinse my bottles with water straight after pouring them & then just store them until needed.
When I'm ready to bottle I just give them another quick rinse with water & then sanitise with star San.

BeerNut · 15-12-2018 05:41PM

cjmc wrote: »

How should I clean them

Give then a good wash with warm water, no detergent. Use a bottle brush if there's stubborn gunk inside. Discard any that can't be cleaned completely. Then on bottling day you need to sanitise them before filling.

cjmc wrote: »

and as regards capping do I need to measure bottles or is it one size fits all.

There are two sizes and the larger ones, which are usually on big bottles, are fairly rare. If you're using 500ml bottles the standard cap will almost certainly fit them all.

cjmc wrote: »

Also I'll be doing this in the garage so will cold temperature affect the brew at all

As long as it's above 10C it'll be fine. Cooler is better for getting clean flavours, though if it's consistently cold you need to allow extra time for fermentation to finish.

Homebrew Beer Howto

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