General chit chat

stuchyg · 19-02-2013 10:05pm

Have a ginger beer fermenting at the min, 10 days in its coming along nicely but not sure if its strong enough in ginger taste. Could I add more fresh finger in a muslin bag do ye think

Piercemeear · 20-02-2013 9:29am

Edwardius wrote: »

I also have zero woodworking skills but I reckon something like this is not massively difficult (famous last words!)

Building something like this is my ideal. Where would you source the screw mechanism, do you think? That's my main stumbling block, I think.

Not too sure about the feasibility of flattening the barrel timbers. They've been curved for a long time. Even if it works you'd need new metal bands anyway. But the oak will be lovely, hard (cheap!) wood so if it works it's worth it.

Build big! My main frustration is how little pulp I can fit in my press.

Edwardius · 20-02-2013 11:18am

Piercemeear wrote: »

Building something like this is my ideal. Where would you source the screw mechanism, do you think? That's my main stumbling block, I think.

Not too sure about the feasibility of flattening the barrel timbers. They've been curved for a long time. Even if it works you'd need new metal bands anyway. But the oak will be lovely, hard (cheap!) wood so if it works it's worth it.

Build big! My main frustration is how little pulp I can fit in my press.

I was thinking of a vice screw, you can get them on ebay but I'll try to source one offline, I've thought about using the screw assembly from one of those older swivel chairs but that might be for a smaller one. I was thinking about reusing the bands that are on the barrels and rebending them with "something". I had thought about cutting them and binding a couple of planks at a time but that'd probably break.

The base will be interesting because that will need to be very strong!

I think it should be possible and if I can't use the oak then it's no biggie. I may need to raid the shed at home and see what comes up!

One thing I was wondering about wooden presses... are they not terrible for harbouring bacteria and general nasties?

Piercemeear · 20-02-2013 12:10pm

Edwardius wrote: »

One thing I was wondering about wooden presses... are they not terrible for harbouring bacteria and general nasties?

I'm not an expert on this, but from what I've read most woods are quite naturally bacteria-resistant. This is why wooden chopping boards are still so popular. They always recommend beech as the best wood to make butcher's blocks from because of its bacteria resistance, but oak and maple are also well-regarded.

A lot of the presses for sale online have beech or oak buckets.

You'd scrub them well before and after using, of course. Hasn't been a problem for me, yet, anyway, and mine's only plywood and pine.

irish_goat · 20-02-2013 3:42pm

stuchyg wrote: »

Have a ginger beer fermenting at the min, 10 days in its coming along nicely but not sure if its strong enough in ginger taste. Could I add more fresh finger in a muslin bag do ye think

You could yeah. Could also add a small amount of powdered ginger. I'd boil up either for about 10 mins to sterilise.

stuchyg · 23-02-2013 7:05pm

I assume if you are following a recipe based on a 25 litre brew you can just scale down accordingly for a 10 ltr batch

Edwardius · 11-03-2013 8:40pm

I don't really want to start another thread for this...

I'm making an elderflower cider, do I need to sterilise the flowers by boiling/scalding them? The cider is going into secondary so there's a good 6.5% alcohol in there, will this kill any bugs?

Khannie · 12-03-2013 10:53am

Edwardius wrote: »

I'm making an elderflower cider, do I need to sterilise the flowers by boiling/scalding them?

No, you'll destroy them if you do.

Tell me more about this elderflower cider though. Cider in primary, elderflower in secondary? I presume they're dried elderflower at this time of year?

Edwardius · 12-03-2013 2:37pm

Khannie wrote: »

No, you'll destroy them if you do.

Ah, thanks man, other places on the interweb seemed unclear on this.

Khannie wrote: »

Tell me more about this elderflower cider though. Cider in primary, elderflower in secondary? I presume they're dried elderflower at this time of year?

Yeah basically I put 24 litres of Lidl's magic apple juice in primary with teabags and raisins and added some sweetner tabs towards the end of primary. Split the lot into 5 1 gallon demijohns, I put 10g of dried elderflowers in two of them, I'm leaving one of them as regular cider, adding a load of strawberry syrup to the fourth and I'm not sure what to do with the last one, so if anyone has any ideas I'll gladly steal them!

I used dried elderflowers that I got from thehomebrewcompany.ie, I think it was a three quid for 50g.

kevc2 · 13-03-2013 10:37am

Would anyone know where to get another tap for the coopers beer fermenter? The rubber seal on mine is letting fluid through it. I have tried 2 of the main suppliers and they can't get the parts separately.

Also I tried one of these kits and it came out really well:
http://www.homebrewwest.ie/prohibition-high-alcohol-liqueur-coconut-rum-407-p.asp

howamidifferent · 13-03-2013 11:22am

I bottled 46 x 500ml bottles of Cooper Irish Stout last night along with 43 x 500ml bottles of Coopers Traditional Draft. I have a 23L Brew Your Own Beer Pilsner on the go as well since Sunday to be bottled around March 24th.

With 3 empty fermentation vessels to hand I plan to put on another turbo cider, a Muntons IPA and a BrewMaster IPA at the weekend. Stock up for the summer.

I also have an Australian 7 day wine kit to go on when I have enough empty wine bottles for it.

BeerNut · 13-03-2013 3:34pm

kevc2 wrote: »

Would anyone know where to get another tap for the coopers beer fermenter?

Tough one. If the seal is any way standard you might be able to get a replacement from a plumbing supplier, but tbh you may as well get yourself a new drilled bucket and tap: they're not that dear.

kevc2 · 13-03-2013 3:38pm

BeerNut wrote: »

Tough one. If the seal is any way standard you might be able to get a replacement from a plumbing supplier, but tbh you may as well get yourself a new drilled bucket and tap: they're not that dear.

Cheers, was thinking I'd have to do that. It just seems like a waste but will probably have to be done.

Herb Powell · 14-03-2013 10:47pm

Just put in an order for a Better Brew Pale Ale kit there, along with a can of light malt extract rather than sugar. What's the procedure with the extract, boil it up or just fire it in? Looking forward to this brew.

joctcl · 15-03-2013 9:14am

Herb Powell wrote: »

Just put in an order for a Better Brew Pale Ale kit there, along with a can of light malt extract rather than sugar. What's the procedure with the extract, boil it up or just fire it in? Looking forward to this brew.

You should get a can with your kit also, so just do as you normally would by heating both up and rinsing them into your bucket.
You will notice a much "maltier brew" with a better flavour profile than just the sugar
For you next stage consider the 2 can 3 kg kits, they are more expensive but are much better finished and will be your launching pad into extract or all grain if thats ultimately where you want to go.

Herb Powell · 15-03-2013 11:25am

joctcl wrote: »

You should get a can with your kit also, so just do as you normally would by heating both up and rinsing them into your bucket.
You will notice a much "maltier brew" with a better flavour profile than just the sugar
For you next stage consider the 2 can 3 kg kits, they are more expensive but are much better finished and will be your launching pad into extract or all grain if thats ultimately where you want to go.

Thanks

I'd say all grain is a good while off for me yet, but I'll get there eventually. Can't really afford it atm, but as soon as I get a well-paying job........

Piercemeear · 17-03-2013 3:43pm

Hi all,

Looking to begin my second batch of beer. First time out I got a full boil IPA recipe from Homebrew Beers. So I'm not really up on searching for recipes online. I'd like to try an Irish Red next, perhaps something with a slightly hoppy edge to it (8 Degrees Sunburnt Irish Red might be a good reference point).

Anyone have a nice extract recipe for an Irish Red in their pockets? Or point me towards the best places to search? I've only done full boil so far (13L) but could probably do a partial boil instead. Either or.

joctcl · 17-03-2013 11:16pm

Herb Powell wrote: »

Thanks

I'd say all grain is a good while off for me yet, but I'll get there eventually. Can't really afford it atm, but as soon as I get a well-paying job........

The thing about AG is collect the bits as you go, like copper for a chiller 30 bucks
Good quality big picnic cooler 40-50 etc etc

kevc2 · 21-03-2013 1:38pm

I'm going to be making wine soon, any ideas on a cheap degasser or a mock-up one?

Thanks

Herb Powell · 21-03-2013 5:38pm

joctcl wrote: »

The thing about AG is collect the bits as you go, like copper for a chiller 30 bucks
Good quality big picnic cooler 40-50 etc etc

Yeah, is it easy enough to make a mash tun out of one of those, or would it be better to just buy one?

giftgrub · 22-03-2013 2:29pm

Just thought i'd throw this in here

I was in tesco clearwater today...they have a bit of homebrew stuff.

I got a tub of yeast for 3.20 and a 1 gal glass demijohn for a tenner.

There's also beer and wine kids, coopers equipment a lot of it is marked down.

I plan a trip back there next week (payday!!)

Lovely Bloke · 23-03-2013 12:04pm

Has anyone been a Tesco lately - I'm near Clare Hall and Finglas, do they definitely have home brew stuff?

If not, is there anywhere around Dublin, bricks and mortar to get a tin of basic mix?

tteknulp · 23-03-2013 12:06pm

Baldy Conscience wrote: »

Has anyone been a Tesco lately - I'm near Clare Hall and Finglas, do they definitely have home brew stuff?

If not, is there anywhere around Dublin, bricks and mortar to get a tin of basic mix?

They both have homebrew products although a bit limited

Lovely Bloke · 23-03-2013 12:09pm

I don't mind about a limited stock, I'm still in the process of "teaching" a couple of lads the basics.

I want them to do one more "straight" brew from a kit, meanwhile I'm tweaking a Stout with chocolate and chilli today.

Grand, I can pick up an IPA or something in Tesco, they'll be happy enough with that.

blueshed · 23-03-2013 3:57pm

was in Tesco Maynooth today and the Youngs kits are alot cheaper, between €9.50 - €11 a kit plus the Woodfords 3kg kit is down to €23.

eurofoxy · 23-03-2013 5:27pm

anyone got an opinion on the electric brew kettles you can but from home brew west?
This on in particular

I got a load of vouchers for xmas and want to use them up, i dont need grain or anything really, just a larger brew kettle as i have been doing micro brew up till now as i dont have a big enough kettle.

kevc2 · 01-05-2013 11:17pm

Would anyone be able to tell me the best yeast for making mead? I was going to put on a few different recipes but not sure if cider yeast or wine yeast would be suitable.

I got a Doc's original chardonnay kit recently, 1 week away from racking now, had a taste and it's pretty good, would recommend it so far and it's only going to get better.

howamidifferent · 02-05-2013 9:04am

I think the Lalvin(?) D47 is a mead yeast...

Link here..

sharingan · 02-05-2013 1:45pm

eurofoxy wrote: »

anyone got an opinion on the electric brew kettles you can but from home brew west?
This on in particular

I got a load of vouchers for xmas and want to use them up, i dont need grain or anything really, just a larger brew kettle as i have been doing micro brew up till now as i dont have a big enough kettle.

What put me off brew kettles was their price. I use a 40L Buffalo catering boiler, as a single vessel (Brew in a Bag - mash and boil in the same vessel). I have to babysit the mash a lot as it is not insulated, and the thermostat is not as reliable as I want. But it is another option.

There are other simple options, that work really well as boilers: there are uk shops that can convert 50 or 70L stockpots, with taps, heating elements etc. Probably the cheapest way to get a really big vessel.

pbowenroe · 08-05-2013 9:17pm

If anyone is interested, the task on the Apprentice on BBC is to invent a new flavoured beer.

Edwardius · 26-05-2013 11:23pm

I keep forgetting to tell this to the internet:
Lidl are doing 26 litre coolboxes for €13, might be good for folks making a small mash tun.

Herb Powell · 27-05-2013 8:27pm

Jesus that's perfect! Bitta copper pipe and I'm away

Khannie · 30-05-2013 10:29am

What a day!! Very much looking forward to a nice cold glass of home brewed cider this evening. Delighted with myself that I have some.

howamidifferent · 30-05-2013 10:50am

Khannie wrote: »

What a day!! Very much looking forward to a nice cold glass of home brewed cider this evening. Delighted with myself that I have some.

I have the day off work tomorrow and lots of cider on the shelf so I'll be with you in spirit while I sit in the sun with a few cold ones this evening.

Super-Rush · 30-05-2013 4:40pm

Lidl are selling these from today.

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_31712.htm

They would be handy alternatives to regular crates.

kevc2 · 30-05-2013 4:48pm

Super-Rush wrote: »

Lidl are selling these from today.

http://www.lidl.ie/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_ri_ie/hs.xsl/index_31712.htm

They would be handy alternatives to regular crates.

I have one of those already, I wouldn't say they're robust enough for full bottles.

Super-Rush · 30-05-2013 4:53pm

Oh really?

I'll get a couple for empties then.

kevc2 · 30-05-2013 5:16pm

Super-Rush wrote: »

Oh really?

I'll get a couple for empties then.

I use mine in the back of the car, they are handy and are worth getting, I'm just not sure if they would handle the weight of full bottles.

giftgrub · 31-05-2013 7:08am

Just curious about something.

I'm only at this a few months now and have been using coopers plastic PETS for my turbo cider.

I was thinking about using glass bottles and crown caps...how strong is the seal? I dont want to have to explain to the wife why a load of bottles have exploded in the press...

tteknulp · 31-05-2013 8:22am

giftgrub wrote: »

Just curious about something.

I'm only at this a few months now and have been using coopers plastic PETS for my turbo cider.

I was thinking about using glass bottles and crown caps...how strong is the seal?

The seal is very good ,when done right get a bench capper or good two lever one. You can test seal in a basin of water

stuchyg · 31-05-2013 8:29am

giftgrub wrote: »

Just curious about something.

I'm only at this a few months now and have been using coopers plastic PETS for my turbo cider.

I was thinking about using glass bottles and crown caps...how strong is the seal? I dont want to have to explain to the wife why a load of bottles have exploded in the press...

The seal won't be the problem, the bottles will explode if you put too much priming sugar in.

Brian2208 · 31-05-2013 1:07pm

Hey, I'm making a brew and I forgot to get priming sugars. Would a spoonful of regular sugar per 500ml bottle do the job alright?

stuchyg · 31-05-2013 1:17pm

Brian2208 wrote: »

Hey, I'm making a brew and I forgot to get priming sugars. Would a spoonful of regular sugar per 500ml bottle do the job alright?

Yep it will do just fine

BeerNut · 31-05-2013 2:28pm

I'd say half a teaspoonful, but I like carbonation to be quite low.

Khannie · 06-06-2013 11:35am

Jaysus...brews are a lot more vigorous in the summer! The pong coming from under my stairs is not making me any friends in the house right now.

howamidifferent · 06-06-2013 12:48pm

Khannie wrote: »

Jaysus...brews are a lot more vigorous in the summer! The pong coming from under my stairs is not making me any friends in the house right now.

I have two DOC wine kits on the go at the minute and I have to open every window as soon as i get home from work and leave open till about 11pm cos of the funky smell from them...CO2 I imagine...Not unpleasant just strong....

Paz-CCFC · 09-01-2014 8:38pm

For the kits that instruct to add 1kg of DME and top up to 23L, what volume would you top up to if you used just the kit and not the extra DME? Would 15L or so give about the same abv, body etc.?

I've a few kits that I want to get rid of before the best before date is up and I don't really want to waste any extra DME, that I could just use to make a nicer extract batch with.

BeerNut · 10-01-2014 12:49am

There's more than just the fermentables to consider. A kilo of sugar is probably better than nothing.

Paz-CCFC · 10-01-2014 9:25pm

BeerNut wrote: »

There's more than just the fermentables to consider. A kilo of sugar is probably better than nothing.

Aren't kits just made up of malt extract and hop extract? So, wouldn't having no extra malt and then adding less water just increase the effects of the hops on the beer?

ian_m · 11-01-2014 2:51am

Would filling to 15litres not make the hop profile more prominent? I would be interested in the result. Brewferm kits require less water. What would be the difference between them and the coopers kits for example?

General chit chat

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