Brew UK Forum » Tag: beer

Brew UK Forum » Tag: beer - Recent Posts http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Brew UK Forum » Tag: beer - Recent Posts en Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:54:24 +0000 beany151067 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29508 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:29:32 +0000 beany151067 29508@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ thanks for that info saracen,i did'nt know they exploded that easy cheers mate. saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29469 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:14:19 +0000 saracen 29469@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Beany. I use wine bottles as well, but only for a couple of pints from a brew I can put away for a few months. The rest stays in the barrel. Wine bottles take next to no pressure before they explode, so be very careful how much sugar you put in them. No more than 2 gms per pint. beany151067 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29415 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:51:49 +0000 beany151067 29415@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ i am using glass wine bottles for my beer(when you have had a skin full it don,t look so bad)....... seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29390 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:30:09 +0000 seamus48 29390@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Yeah, that would work too... <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_wink.gif" title=":wink:" class="bb_smilies" /> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29389 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:28:10 +0000 saracen 29389@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>Once the syphon flow starts it's tricky to go from bottle to botle without either losing the flow and having to start again or getting beer spilt/wasted.</blockquote> I bought a little, plastic inline style tap from a brew shop, cut the syphon pipe and fitted it 12 inches from the end. When bottle full .... turn off tap. Nath on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29377 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:09:50 +0000 Nath 29377@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I always use a syphon tube, just with a bottling stick on it since I threw away my old FV with a tap on. seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29359 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:15:28 +0000 seamus48 29359@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Snap!... what do I win? <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> Trying to syphon with no tap and/or no little bottler (or similar) is a problem. Once the syphon flow starts it's tricky to go from bottle to botle without either losing the flow and having to start again or getting beer spilt/wasted. It can be done sure enough but it's a right PITA and you will make a mess, how big a mess depends on how nifty you are. Never again for me. At least you can shut off a tap, or just lift the little bottler to stop the beer flowing. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29358 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:13:57 +0000 CarlW21 29358@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ah my Fermentation barrel has no tap...I just siphon it out with a tube and clip Hamish on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29356 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:10:26 +0000 Hamish 29356@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>or could I bottle it with an open ended tube</blockquote> Yes, I just have a short piece of syphon tube attached to the barrel tap. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29355 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:07:59 +0000 CarlW21 29355@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Great, so bottles, bottle capper, is the little bottler a must or could I bottle it with an open ended tube ? I had no problems when I siphoned out the FV into the Barrel I got pretty much almost it all out there without disturbing the sediment. (shame it then lived it's last days out on my floor) =( ! seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29285 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:46:16 +0000 seamus48 29285@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ A little bottler will fit onto the end of that siphon tube if you soften it (the tube end, not the bottler) in hot water first. Put the FV on a worktop. Then you need the bottles. I put mine in a old milk crate to hold them all securely and place in on the floor below the FV. I fill the STERILISED tube and bottler with cooled boiled water, put the open end into the beer, drain the water in the bottler down into a jug which draws beer into the tube to replace it, then start bottling. Then cap 'em. Job done. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29284 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:40:40 +0000 CarlW21 29284@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ So what are the basics I need for bottling ?, I have the tube to siphon and tube clip to transfer from 5 gallon fermentation bucket to the bottles seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29278 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:55:51 +0000 seamus48 29278@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/bottling/bottling-aids.html">Bottling Equipment</a> can be found here. I use an Emily bottle capper... it's quite robust and has done over a 1000 bottles so far with no probs (you will need to buy the caps seperately). I use a 'little bottler' which I have connected to a length of poly pipe rather than using a tap on an FV. That way I just sit the crate on the floor under under the FV and take the bottler attachment to each bottle in turn rather than having to lift each bottle to the tap etc. Simples <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_wink.gif" title=":wink:" class="bb_smilies" /> Oh... and can't think of any difference in the bottles you mention other than the obvious size and capacity? I use free magniers 568ml bottles for all my brews. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29273 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:38:15 +0000 CarlW21 29273@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ok I am going to bottle... Last question .. what is the difference between a short amber glass bottle and long amber glass bottle (500ml) without stating the obvious one is short and one is tall lol... the tall bottles work out £1.29 cheaper based on an order of 50. Also I would need a bottle capper ... and I heard this bottling stick is handy and saves mess ? seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29268 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:36:40 +0000 seamus48 29268@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Lager typically has more fizz than an ale or beer so I would use glass bottles myself. I prime 40 pints of lager with 120g of sugar (or so my son reminds me... it's been a while since we last brewed a lager) and that was perfect for us. No explosions, nicely carbonated, job done. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29267 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:06:05 +0000 CarlW21 29267@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ What would be the best for Young's Lager ? seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29238 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:19:38 +0000 seamus48 29238@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Agreed Brothers, or SWMBOs, ... sorry :oops:. I don't see this as a contentious issue whatsoever so don't panic KCL.. People should do, use, whatever works for them! It's their beer! <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> grmski on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29225 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:12:13 +0000 grmski 29225@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ For ales and stouts I use a selection of 500ml PET and 2 litre PET bottles. The 500ml are obviously single pints and the 2 litre give 4 pints. Carefully decant the 4 pints into a serving jug and if having a session with a few friends there isn't time for it to go flat or warm. Sometimes I bulk prime and others with the 1/2 teaspoon of sugar straight into the bottle. Numerous ways of acheiving the same thing here and it's justs what's best for you at the time that makes it the best storage method. saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29224 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:04:16 +0000 saracen 29224@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Sounds right to me, KC. Draught beers don't have a great deal of fizz to them. Plastic bottles should be fine for that. kilconlea on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29222 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:53:05 +0000 kilconlea 29222@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ This won't be popular..... When both my barrels and my 100 or so glass bottles are occupied, I use 1 litre PETs if I've brewed an ale under 4% ABV (usually the Summer Ale). I prime with a half spoon of sugar, straight into the bottle and siphon the beer on top using a little bottler. After a month's conditioning, you get two 'pints' per bottle and poured carefully, you get a product exactly the same as from the pub's handpump, i.e. a lively sparkle but no fizz. In all honesty, I would say for anything other than very strong beers or beers requiring a bit more fizz, this is my personal preference. Lights blue touch paper and walks away.. iceman on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29208 Wed, 25 Jan 2012 07:54:27 +0000 iceman 29208@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I get mine from the bottle bank because I am a tight Yorkshire man <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_redface.gif" title=":oops:" class="bb_smilies" /> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29180 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:41:47 +0000 saracen 29180@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I would say that's an amazing deal. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29176 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:34:04 +0000 CarlW21 29176@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ No North East, Hartlepool. Is this a good price - £18.95 for 50 amber 500ml glass bottles with caps. <a href="http://www.ampulla.co.uk/Shop-For-Glass/GLASS-BEER-&-CIDER-BOTTLES/c-1-169-204/" rel="nofollow">http://www.ampulla.co.uk/Shop-For-Glass/GLASS-BEER-&-CIDER-BOTTLES/c-1-169-204/</a> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29173 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:27:45 +0000 saracen 29173@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ They might ask you to buy a beer as well. Would this be in the Paddington area? CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29169 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:18:33 +0000 CarlW21 29169@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ saracen ! Genius, pub right over road from me ! Why didn't I think of this ! seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29162 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:56:54 +0000 seamus48 29162@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I draw some beer from the vessel into a saucepan and add the required sugar, cover, then simmer for 5-10 mins. When it's cooled a bit I add it to a sanitised FV then rack the brew across from the primary FV into it leaving the trub behind. Bottle directly from that. Sometimes, if the beer has been a while clearing in the Primary, I may rack it across to a second santised FV after 14 days, being careful not to add O2, then leave for another week before racking into a final FV with the sugar solution etc as above. Works for me. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_mrgreen.gif" title=":mrgreen:" class="bb_smilies" /> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29161 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:55:02 +0000 saracen 29161@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Carl. I think the cap you're talking about is the Pin Valve, or S30 Valve cap. This has a valve in it that allows you to inject Co2, or a Nitrogen Co2 mix. It's only the same cap with a valve fitted. It's all on this page: <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/containers/barrelsbarrels.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/containers/barrelsbarrels.html</a> The Pin Valve uses 8.0 gms Sparklets type bulb and the S30 injects from a bigger, hand help cylinder. I have Pin Valve caps on all my barrels, but with the alternative tap fitted, and the cap sealed properly, I think I've only used 3 x 8 gm bulbs in the last 12 months. I brew Bitters and Pale, ideal for a barrel because they don't have as much gas in them. Best source of bottles is your local pub. In return for a couple or quid in the charity box they're likely to give you more than you can carry. Sqiffy on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29157 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:43:06 +0000 Sqiffy 29157@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ We sterilise and then prime each bottle rather than batch priming as Saracen does. Here is how we do it. We move the brew bucket onto a work surface the night before we prime. This gives the sediment a chance to settle if the move disturbed it. Sterilise the bottles. Sterilise a racking cane, trap, tube and bottling stick. Take a small glass kitchen jug with fluid Oz scale on it. Add 8 level Tablespoons of spraymalt. Fill jug with cold water to the 8 Fl oz mark. Whisk with a fork until smooth. Take a 5ml syringe (no needle - multi pack dirt cheap from ebay) and fill from jug to the 5ml mark. Inject into bottle. Repeat for each bottle to completion. A second way we occasionally do it is to add half a (level) teaspoon of brewing sugar to each bottle via a small funnel. Once the bottles are primed get syphoning. Once filled and capped we give the beer a week in the house and then move it out to the garage to condition for three months. So far we have had no problems with infection or beer spoilage using this technique. Lots of bottle options on the shop site or you could just try and pick up recycle types (friends & pubs). I can't comment on the barrel issue as we don't use them. Hope this helps. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29155 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:38:56 +0000 CarlW21 29155@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I have heard about people using the Young's 5 gallon plastic pressure barrels but replacing the cap with some other sort.....anyone know anything about this ? seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29154 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:38:47 +0000 seamus48 29154@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Never seen the stick thingy... <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_redface.gif" title=":oops:" class="bb_smilies" /> Have had no probs with our bottler though. <blockquote>Ok, so I will need 50 500ml bottles, anyone know where I can get them cheap ? </blockquote> This comes up very regularly, in fact, only a few days ago I think. Use the search function on here and it'll take you to the threads mate. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" /> Mark on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29153 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:36:44 +0000 Mark 29153@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Seamus i did use a little bottler but after a couple of batches bottled it then started dripping so now i have a bottling stick attached to the autosyphon which works great but obviously a bit more fiddly doing this rather than using the little bottler. seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29151 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:33:35 +0000 seamus48 29151@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <blockquote>I tried to bottle without it the first time I did a kit. My God, what a mess! </blockquote> Yeah, I remember doing that ... never again <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_redface.gif" title=":oops:" class="bb_smilies" /> We use a 'little bottler' which I assume is the same as the bottling stick thingy. Works well enough, can bottle single handed with no stress now. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29147 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:10:00 +0000 CarlW21 29147@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Ok, so I will need 50 500ml bottles, anyone know where I can get them cheap ? Or should I risk getting a replacement pressure barrel ? I don't get this with the Young's Barrel's, if they are meant to withstand pressure why do so many people have a problem with leaks around seals due to pressure ? saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29144 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:56:16 +0000 saracen 29144@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Glass bottles can contain much more fizz than plastic. For Lager, I'd say glass every time. Once again, here's one I prepared earlier: Bottling. The best way of doing it is this; Leave the beer in the FV for 2 weeks. By that time fermentation will be complete and the beer will be almost clear. Put your sugar into a saucepan, up to 125 gms for bottling 40 pints, about 3 gms per pint, and add half a pint of water. Boil it up for 5 minutes. Put the solution into a 2.0 lt jug, cool it to the same temperature as the beer and syphon some beer into the jug until it's full. Pour it into your barrel. Syphon the rest of the beer into the barrel, cap it, roll it round the floor for a minute or so and immediately put the beer into bottles. This way, the sugar is all evenly distributed, there's less handling so less chance of contamination, no stirring so a minimal risk of introducing oxygen and you will get far less sediment in the bottles. Store it at about 20°c for 2 weeks, then 2 weeks at a lower temperature. Hope it helps. Sqiffy on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29134 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:47:21 +0000 Sqiffy 29134@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I'm with Seamus on this one. Glass. No contest. We use flip-tops because they can be sealed as soon as the bottle is full. We ferment in a bucket and then use a syphon fitted with a bottling stick. Pretty easy and no leaks. I tried to bottle without it the first time I did a kit. My God, what a mess! <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/bottling-stick.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/bottling-stick.html</a> seamus48 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29132 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:27:55 +0000 seamus48 29132@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Personally, I don't like PET (plastic) bottles. We used them with our first kit and they were fine, however, when we came to re-use them they always seemed to leak (gas not liquid) and beer always came out flat (ish). I use brown glass now and won't go back to plastic. Just my opinion mind. <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" /> CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29128 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:10:18 +0000 CarlW21 29128@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Excellent thanks, so bottles are the way to go then. Are plastic ones ok ? and any tips on bottling ? Further info: Wilkinsons have got back in touch and offered a replacement/refund and also will compensate by sending me the 40 pints lost due to this faulty barrel. What do people make of these <a href="http://www.brewsmarter.co.uk/try-a-coopers-ox-bar-500ml-pet-bottle-per-bottle-978-p.asp">Ox-Bar bottles </a> Thanks Everyone saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29112 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:06:41 +0000 saracen 29112@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ The problem is, how do you dispense it? Beer needs to condition after it's brewed, and you do this by adding sugar and allowing it to ferment out for a week or so in a warm atmosphere. This produces Co2, which helps to preserve the beer, and pressure, which holds the fizz in the beer. If you put it in a demi-john with an airlock, you'll get no pressure and flat lager. If you cork the demi-john, it will be blown out and you still get no pressure. If you pour from a demi-john, air will mix with the beer left in it and it with oxidise and go bad. For lager, which really does need a hefty amount of fizz, the only real way is bottles, with 3 gms of sugar per pint. Barrels are OK, but you will never get anything like the fizz you get in a glass bottle. CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29111 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:57:35 +0000 CarlW21 29111@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ What about a demijohn with some kind of cork ? I was thinking about 5 glass ones maybe at about £5-6 each would amount to almost the price of a barrel.... or with a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermentation_lock">fermentation lock</a> saracen on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29107 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:13:26 +0000 saracen 29107@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Carl. That's a big leak. I've never seen it that bad. The tap needs to be screwed in REALLY tight. The black seal is quite hard and won't distort, and the thread will stand up to it. Twist the tap centre to line it up. The tap itself is a bit of a dodgy item and there is a better solution. See here: <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/youngs-barrel-taps-leaking" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/youngs-barrel-taps-leaking</a> The next problem will come with the cap leaking gas. I wrote this in response to all those who had the problem: To seal a cap. When you take the cap off a barrel, clean it in the following way. Prise the seal out of the recess inside the cap and drop it into some water from the kettle in something like a glass measuring jug. The hot water will make the seal go back to it's original shape and any groove left by the neck of the barrel will disappear. You may have to do this a couple of times. Then give the cap itself a good dose of boiling water to clean any traces of Vaseline from inside the cap. That is, of course, if you used Vaseline to help it seal in the first place. Cool the cap and the sealing ring in the fridge/freezer, then put the ring back in the recess. Apply a THIN film of Vaseline to the SURFACE OF THE SEAL ONLY. Excess Vaseline can make the seal slip out of the groove when tightening. Make sure the cap is cold, fit it and screw it down until the seal just touches the neck, then give it a maximum of a quarter of a turn. It needs to be on firmly, but not screwed down too tight or the seal can distort. Young's barrels have their drawbacks, but once you get used to them they are OK. Anything else tends to get expensive, and I gave up all that bottling pantomime 30 years ago. oldbrewer on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29106 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:11:16 +0000 oldbrewer 29106@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I put a beer for immediate consumption such as London Pride in a King Keg and the stronger beers in Pet bottles. This means that you always beer available as some are conditioning. Sqiffy on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29104 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:56:10 +0000 Sqiffy 29104@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ All our beer goes in flip top glass bottles. <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/swing-top-beer-bottles-500ml-12.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/swing-top-beer-bottles-500ml-12.html</a> They are a fag to clean and prime but they will last for ages in storage and we've only lost 2 pints to faulty seals and never had a bottle bomb. We don't have room for a corny set-up so bottles work for us. iceman on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29103 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:53:58 +0000 iceman 29103@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Have a look at my thread corny v king keg Might help you CarlW21 on "Best storage ?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/best-storage#post-29102 Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:43:54 +0000 CarlW21 29102@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I bought a Young's Home Brew Kit, "40 pints lager". When it came to moving it for the fermentation barrel provided I bought a Young's 5 gallon pressure barrel from Wilko's for about £20 or so. After the 1st night in the barrel at least 3 gallons had leaked out through the seal of the tap (not the tap itself)...... Questions - Any ideas to why this happened ? - After looking online after this it seems a few people have had problems with leaking barrel's so I don't want to get another...what is the best storage for home brew...(bottles, carboys, etc...) ? Many Thanks ewiecluie on "First All Grain has stopped fermenting- after 24 hrs! :(" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/first-all-grain-has-stopped-fermenting-after-24-hrs#post-25558 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:46:52 +0000 ewiecluie 25558@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Thanks for all the replies & apologies that I didn't respond sooner, things got hectic over Christmas! I checked the gravity again today and it was 1.10. As my first full mash I know there were a few things done wrong & not to the instructions. 1. My mash was definitely at too low a temperature. It kept dropping so I kept adding boiling water to try to bring it up. I ended up with very little water left for a sparging & I know that the mash, for the most part was too cool. 2. The instructions also were pretty poor in specifying how much water I actually needed- I assumed 23L, ended up using about 25L but only ended up with about 15L of Wort in the end after boiling. Could this be why it has a high gravity- too concentrated? 3. Probably didn't boil for the full hour ( i was in a mad rush!) 4. Probably didn't cool the wort down enough before pitching the yeast. I did use a chiller but, again, I was rushing too much. From most of these I have learnt something though which is good! 1. Fit thermometers to all of my equipment and dont rely on a crappy cheap dial meat probe thermometer. 2. Research better about how much water to use. 3&4. Don't start a mash at 2.30pm when you need to go out at 7pm. Also, dont rush even if I do need to go out at 7pm! Any more ideas on this disaster would be appreciated! Thanks guys for being so willing to help and informative, fingers crossed my next brew goes better. Perhaps I will try a very simple beer next. Suggestions welcome too! Nath on "First All Grain has stopped fermenting- after 24 hrs! :(" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/first-all-grain-has-stopped-fermenting-after-24-hrs#post-24237 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 20:52:18 +0000 Nath 24237@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ If you made it to the letter then that reading must have been wrong as the gravity should have been around 1.048. Have you managed to take another gravity reading (making sure all is sanitised properly)? You may find it will be lower now, which means its still fermenting away, just with little action. If I were you I would leave it alone, sealed up for a week or so, then check the gravity, me thinks it will be fine ewiecluie on "First All Grain has stopped fermenting- after 24 hrs! :(" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/first-all-grain-has-stopped-fermenting-after-24-hrs#post-24225 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:04:21 +0000 ewiecluie 24225@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Thanks so much for all the help guys! It was bought from here but unfortunately is no longer on the website. I think this is the kit from a different supplier: <a href="http://www.stonehelm.co.uk/BeerKits/Brupaks/BavarianWeissbier40pt" rel="nofollow">http://www.stonehelm.co.uk/BeerKits/Brupaks/BavarianWeissbier40pt</a> Nath on "First All Grain has stopped fermenting- after 24 hrs! :(" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/first-all-grain-has-stopped-fermenting-after-24-hrs#post-24213 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 01:12:19 +0000 Nath 24213@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ 1.12 is quite high, can you link the kit so we can check what the gravity should have been? Cheers mate, don't fret we will get to the bottom of it. Sure it will be fine ewiecluie on "First All Grain has stopped fermenting- after 24 hrs! :(" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/first-all-grain-has-stopped-fermenting-after-24-hrs#post-24207 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:42:15 +0000 ewiecluie 24207@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I think its 1.12 was hard to tell with the foam! Its a bavarian wies beer from an all grain kit that i bought here but it looks a good colour! Greg on "First All Grain has stopped fermenting- after 24 hrs! :(" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/first-all-grain-has-stopped-fermenting-after-24-hrs#post-24136 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:36:05 +0000 Greg 24136@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Whats your gravity reading Ewen? ewiecluie on "First All Grain has stopped fermenting- after 24 hrs! :(" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/first-all-grain-has-stopped-fermenting-after-24-hrs#post-24135 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:43:08 +0000 ewiecluie 24135@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I did my first all grain brew on Saturday and appart from it being a nightmare (boiler broke half way through, ended up rushing at the end as I had to go out) the fermentation took a while to start. It didnt start till Monday morning (or Sunday night while I was asleep) and has now stopped (tuesday morning). The mash would not hold the required temp, had to keep adding boiling water and the yeast was possibly added while the brew was a little on the warm side as i was rushing to cool it down- it was fairly cold but i reckon still around high 20 degrees C. Any ideas as to why it could have gone wrong or any ways to save it?! Should I add more yeast? Additional sugar? Maybe the room it is in is too cold.... I did give it a stir today (probably a bad idea!) and the fermentation appears to have started a little again. Any advice would be much appreciated! Ewen Rhys on "Ginger Beer sparkling?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/ginger-beer-sparkling#post-21545 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:15:08 +0000 Rhys 21545@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Nath, Thanks for the advice. I think you were right about it being trapped CO2, I transferred it to a new FV and the sparkling stopped after 24 hours!!! Its now in bottles for a bit of secondary fermentation! Rhys on "Ginger Beer sparkling?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/ginger-beer-sparkling#post-21394 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:31:03 +0000 Rhys 21394@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I think I will transfer it off the Yeast into another vessel and then leave it for 24Hrs. Smells great at the minute!!! Nath on "Ginger Beer sparkling?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/ginger-beer-sparkling#post-21387 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:01:46 +0000 Nath 21387@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Strange. If the gravity has halted and there is no pressure buildup ( making sure the lid is properly seated ) then you would have to say that it's time to bottle, maybe be a bit cautious with the priming sugar! Rhys on "Ginger Beer sparkling?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/ginger-beer-sparkling#post-21374 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:16:46 +0000 Rhys 21374@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ 8 Days now! I cant see bubbles breaking the surface but I can hear them, The lid and air lock aren't showing any signs of co2 build up (No release of pressure and the lid of the FV isn't bowing). Nath on "Ginger Beer sparkling?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/ginger-beer-sparkling#post-21367 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:57:07 +0000 Nath 21367@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ If the gravity is stable then it may be trapped co2 edging its way out from under the trub. How many days has it been fermenting for? Rhys on "Ginger Beer sparkling?" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/ginger-beer-sparkling#post-21366 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:40:51 +0000 Rhys 21366@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ My ginger beer from the recipe section is puzzling me!!! The gravity has been stable for 3 days (at 1.000) but when I lift the lid I can hear it madly fizzing away in the FV? I'm wondering whether the primary fermentation is complete? By rights the stable gravity should mean its over but I've limited experience in the brewing department and have never brewed anything so fizzy, so don't want to create bottle bombs! My first attempt proper homebrew attempt was this <a href="http://www.mashspargeboil.com/making-your-first-home-brew-beer/" rel="nofollow">http://www.mashspargeboil.com/making-your-first-home-brew-beer/</a> and the ginger beer is only the second! peter on "Hi from South Wales" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-from-south-wales#post-21134 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 11:31:27 +0000 peter 21134@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Welcome from West Wales Francis <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> Greg on "Hi from South Wales" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-from-south-wales#post-21125 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 08:26:30 +0000 Greg 21125@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Francis and welcome to the forum. Jim on "Hi from South Wales" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-from-south-wales#post-21119 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:21:16 +0000 Jim 21119@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi France's Welcome to the club! Jim wildbrew on "Hi from South Wales" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-from-south-wales#post-21118 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:11:22 +0000 wildbrew 21118@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi francis Welcome to Brew UK Forum,do you make Beer & wine or only Beer <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":-)" class="bb_smilies" /> what are you making at the mo. saracen on "Hi from South Wales" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-from-south-wales#post-21116 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:55:56 +0000 saracen 21116@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hello Francis, and welcome. Tell us the story. Nath on "Hi from South Wales" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-from-south-wales#post-21104 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:33:36 +0000 Nath 21104@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Well hello there! Whatcha been brewing then? Francis on "Hi from South Wales" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hi-from-south-wales#post-21103 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 14:19:19 +0000 Francis 21103@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi everyone, my names Francis, ive been brewing beer for around 4 months and have decided to expand my horizons and join a forum <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_smile.gif" title=":)" class="bb_smilies" /> calibra on "Hello" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-4#post-14837 Tue, 03 May 2011 09:02:59 +0000 calibra 14837@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I used to make wine and beer at home, many years ago. I would like to start again, beginning with beer making. Equipment specs have moved on it seems since 1970 !!! I used to get all my <code> <pre><code>u</code></pre> </code> from Boots the chemist. Don<code> <pre><code>r</code></pre> </code>tubes<code> <pre><code>a</code></pre> </code>t really know where to start, been such a long time. Regards Calibra markgill on "coopers bitter" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/coopers-bitter#post-10500 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 10:12:56 +0000 markgill 10500@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ ok thanks for that varnish <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_biggrin.gif" title=":D" class="bb_smilies" /> Varnish on "coopers bitter" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/coopers-bitter#post-10498 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 01:52:30 +0000 Varnish 10498@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ If you use the enhancer you will not need to add extra sugar. markgill on "coopers bitter" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/coopers-bitter#post-10496 Sun, 02 Jan 2011 00:15:53 +0000 markgill 10496@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ hi just a quick one its the first time iv done a beer iv only done wine and been given a coopers bitter i need to add enancer 1 , but do you need to add sugar as well . am not really sure any tips thanks mark Varnish on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7780 Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:46:52 +0000 Varnish 7780@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I'm in Pewsey Ian on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7779 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 23:18:14 +0000 Ian 7779@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi varnish Yes,Enford Wiltshire. Brew day tomorrow. Angry armadillo being brewed outdoors. I will post recipe and brewday fun. Just enjoyed a few pints of Wessex Weasel finished of with a drop of Islays finest. probably time for bed! Varnish on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7777 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 22:41:29 +0000 Varnish 7777@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hey Ian. Are you Enford in Wiltshire? <blockquote>More Wiltshire Mafiosi, welcome along. </blockquote> Who told you about the Mafiosi? I think a drive by slurrying may be in order. Lol on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7776 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:46:46 +0000 Lol 7776@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi my brother in law lives in East Chisenbury and used my press a few weeks ago at the local pub to make cider..small world Tony on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7759 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 15:10:55 +0000 Tony 7759@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ <img src="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/bb-plugins/default/icon_biggrin.gif" title=":D" class="bb_smilies" /> And hello from Enfield! Hamish on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7755 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 14:48:26 +0000 Hamish 7755@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ More Wiltshire Mafiosi, welcome along. Nath on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7745 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 11:11:05 +0000 Nath 7745@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Look forward to it Ian, and dont worry about the missus mine thinks the same! Greg on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7742 Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:54:55 +0000 Greg 7742@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Ian and welcome to the forum!! Ian on "Hello from Enford" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/hello-from-enford#post-7737 Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:17:19 +0000 Ian 7737@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi Greg and everyone else. I have been meaning to join the forum for a while. I'm up to AG 7 now from the boilerhouse brewery and getting better each time. Just got new fermenter and minikegs. Very exciting. Wife thinks I am a very sadman (which is an anagram of Adnams so can't be all bad). I will post the recipes so far and any advice I can based on limited experiance. Look forward to exchanging ideas. simonb_13 on "Marine heater to warm fermentation" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/marine-heater-to-warm-fermentation#post-7616 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:06:37 +0000 simonb_13 7616@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ I've seen these heaters used inside an insulated cupboard. It's usually controlled by a thermostat. Other people just use a bulb as a heat source (old style not the energy efficient ones!). Others have used a fridge and put the heater in the fridge. They then use a dual temp thermostat which can switch both the heater and the fridge on or off to achieve the desired temp. It can them be used for warm or cold fermentation. But definitely not directly in the beer. Oh no, not in the beer. Hamish on "Marine heater to warm fermentation" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/marine-heater-to-warm-fermentation#post-7613 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:46:03 +0000 Hamish 7613@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Are you suggestesting submerging this fish tank heater in the beer?. Its not something I would do, you can buy belts & mats to warm the fermenter... <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequipment/heating.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/store/otherequipment/heating.html</a> I ferment at 18C - 20C, which is towards the bottom end of the scale for ale, with perfectly good results. hodgo2008 on "Marine heater to warm fermentation" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/marine-heater-to-warm-fermentation#post-7612 Mon, 11 Oct 2010 12:25:06 +0000 hodgo2008 7612@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi, unfortunatley I dont have anywhere to acheive a temp of at least 21degrees to ferment my Beer. A friend suggested a fish tank heater so I can set the exact temp. Is this advisable? Is there any special requirement (apart from it being sterilised obviously)? Thanks Paul the noob dandan on "My Beer is too frothy!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/my-beer-is-too-frothy#post-1109 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:48:04 +0000 dandan 1109@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Oh yes, I had the same problem! for 57p and a trip to wilkos your problems can be solved! I posted a tip last month how to do this! Quite simple really, but took me ages to find the correct fitting baster! <a href="http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel" rel="nofollow">http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/dan-dans-kit-mod1-the-barrel</a> Hope that helps! DanDan new2brew on "My Beer is too frothy!!" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/my-beer-is-too-frothy#post-1108 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:15:23 +0000 new2brew 1108@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hey Guys! just had my Admiral's Reserve conditioning for 4 weeks and wow - i thought the Wherry kit was good, but this tastes even better... However, no matter how gently i let the beer pour from the barrel (bottom tap basic brewing barrel that comes with the Wherry kit) i cant stop half my glass filling with froth and then waiting 10 mins for it to settle enough to drink... any tips??? cheers new2brew NewToBrew on "Using Rauchmalz????" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/using-rauchmalz#post-808 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:28:06 +0000 NewToBrew 808@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Thanks Greg, won't hurt I suppose! Greg on "Using Rauchmalz????" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/using-rauchmalz#post-801 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:37:26 +0000 Greg 801@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hello, Yes I guess you could replace and it would add some flavour but not sure how much as I think you normally would use in quite large amounts as part of a full mash brew. Give it a go and see how it turns out. NewToBrew on "Using Rauchmalz????" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/using-rauchmalz#post-800 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:08:20 +0000 NewToBrew 800@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ The recipe i was thinking of using is a 'Theakston Old Peculier' a recipe from Graham Wheelers book. Which calls for, 4100g Malt extract 295g crystal 215 chocolate 29g challenger 14g fuggle last 10 mins 14g golding I don't have the equiptment for a full mash as yet. So I couldn't just replace the crystal and choc for the smoked grains? Greg on "Using Rauchmalz????" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/using-rauchmalz#post-798 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:22:16 +0000 Greg 798@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi there, what is your current recipe? You would need to mash the smoked grains though rather than just steeping and you can also use in quite large proportions. I have never used it myself as yet but it something I would definately be looking at in the future. NewToBrew on "Using Rauchmalz????" http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/topic/using-rauchmalz#post-796 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:59:26 +0000 NewToBrew 796@http://www.brewuk.co.uk/forum/ Hi, I want to make a smoked beer simular to the german 'Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier Urbock' a dark wintery smoked ale!! But I have no idea where to start! I have made partial grain brews in the past using malt extract and some grains. Could I just replace the grains from a brew I've enjoyed in the past with the smoked grain? If so would the quantities be the same? If this isn't the case does anyone have any great recipes I could try out? Thanks in advance for any advise anyone can lend me!