Brew UK Forum | Beer Kits
New to this
I have just ordered A st peters micro kit with Ruby Red Ale Any hints or sugestions please
peter
5 gal geordie bitter
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Responses
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Peter! Can't help you with the kits but plenty here can. Nice to meet you!
(with grateful thanks to the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers and slightly adapted)
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Hi Peter and welcome.
Keep clean.
Ferment at 18 - 22c and keep away from direct sunlight.
Use bottled water or treat your water with 1/2 a campden tablet to remove the chlorine.
Be patient and let the beer clear although regular "samples" are encouraged.
Have fun and get another kit on ASAP otherwise you'll run out of beer and have to wait for the next batch.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks both I will let you know how it goes. I will have to see what temp the celler is
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello Peter,
Just got through my first brew went for the wherrey kit turned out fantastic, best advice be patient!!! keep your kit clean, look round the forum you may find the answer your looking for if not just ask one of the boys round here they will be happy to help.
Happy brewing
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Minty I have been looking round and I have the feeling I will have to re build the shed at the bottom of the garden if this first batch works out
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Peter,
Just started the shed re build!!! going for the full insulation and other gadgets to make life easy, just think of it real ale for 50p a pint.........the math is not that hard
Posted 1 year ago by Member
hehe no its not a good pint here starts at £2.60 and then only when they have it.
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Peter,
You poor bloke! where on earth could you be that has not found the beauty of ale !!!
Are you going for bottle or keg? I have gone down the keg route as I find it easier to do with every thing else I have to fit in only problem with that is its not very portable. if you go with the keg you might want to think about getting another couple to keep rotation going also another FV would be a good idea and a kit to go in.
If you want to see how to set up your shed have a look at the link Nath put on when he sorted out his,truly a work of art! One other bit of advice I got from Nath, put a tap on your FV as it makes taking a sample for testing easier.
cheers
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
I thank you! Stay tuned for the next chapter - Comming Soon to a forum near you!....
This forum actually
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Minty We do have a good local pub but he is only just running it back up so not a big turn over in real ale yes I am going for Keg in the first place and am thinking as you advise to get two more and another FV. Will have to go for that tap too. Re Nath yes I have seen that And as small kids say "Want one Want one" And yes I will stay tuned
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Peter you have the chance of a lifetime!! convert the whole pub to real ale with a sample of your first brew!
Whats this? what have you got up your sleeve Nath, my shed build has been halted by the weather and the fact that the fridge I had at work got "borrowed" for a party and has not made its way back to me yet!!
Have you got your kit with you yet Peter?
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Mwaa...ha...ha......haaaaa! Wait and see!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I was telling a friend about this site Oh big mistake he is a builder with a thing about real Ale. I think I will need planning for what he is on about. No the kit isnt here yet was hoping it would be I want to play and join the big boys. As for the Pub well I may just let him try some when it done
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I am not sure how greg did that but 5 mins after talking to him the kit arived Now all I have to do is get it working
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Time to Crack onnnnnn! I really like St Peters in a bottle. havnt had a pint all week and just thinking of it makes .... me.......wanna.......BEER!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Right I feel a bit better for that the deed is done as they say Now lets see what happens hehe
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Now is the worst part... the waiting.
Start planning brew 2.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
totaly agree with Greg order your next kit up as soon as you can, the brew you have started will only be in the FV for about 4 days ish after that its empty and needs filling up!!!
Drinking the Wherrey at the mo got Admirals Reserve with about a week left and stated the Great Eastern tonight and have another Wherrey waiting in the wings!!! I think I need more kit HELP!
Let us know how its going
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks Chaps I think you tiped me over the edge its not bubbling yet but the pressure is going up Was thinking maybe Admirals Reserve I have this bad feeling I am hooked and not even had a drink out of it yet. I will just blame you for it hehe
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Morning all Hell of a storm last night and the Beer is bubbling away I think it may be a tad on the warm side as it is at 24c at the moment
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Admin
Hi Peter, yes 24c is a little bit high but it won't do much harm. I would try and get it somewhere cooler if poss. You could try the damp towel trick if not. Get a damp towel and drap over the fermenter. Then put a pot of water next to it and make sure a corner of the towel is sitting in it.
The process of evaporation from the towel with give a cooling action. I've never tried it but it does work apparently.
Fermenting:
Conditioning:Pale with Styrians
Drinking:Cascade Pale Ale, Summer Lightning
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Thanks Greg I have opend the window a bit more but it looks like it is going to be a warm day I will have to try the towel and will let you know what happens
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Well one day into it and its at about 23 and working well ( I hope) One thing I must say is that it is keeping me fit I keep going to look at it
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Yeah and snapping the lid open to see the yeast head will work those right/left forearm muscles as well!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I am saving the arm muscles for lifting the pint
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
In the words of Quagmire - "Allllllriiggghhhttttt"
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I would suggest that you stick with the instructions, with no experimenting. This was my first kit aswell,and it has to be the best introduction to kits ever. The only problem that I found was restricting myself to 2 pints a night.
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Oh I am doing this by the Book Rodders. I need to have a much better understanding of beer making befor I try experimenting. After all I want to be able to drink it
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I have 2 kegs for ales/bitters and 40x500ml bottles for lagers (mainly for my friends). My 16 month old daughter is asking Father Christmas to give Daddy a barrel because I know I am woefully short. As hinted above, get your next brew on the go asap. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to ask the intelligent amongst us as to how many kegs and fermentation buckets a bloke should have to allow a continuous supply of homebrew. If you want to try lager, you HAVE to put it in bottles. I bottled 40 bottles last night, and its a bugger putting a level tsp in 40 bottles that you have sterilized. Took me hours but I aint complaining.
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Rodders I think that you helping your Daughter re Father Christmas is highly comendable. My Daughter would just offer to help me by drinking it. I think I will start the next run next week. From what has been said 3 kegs seems to be the starting point But yes it would be good to see what the old hands think. I wasnt thinking about Lager but I have had some nice ones in Germany etc I was going to say Blond but that is another story,Oh I am still talking about beer. Did you put the tsp in befor or after trying the lager?
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Two days into the Ruby and the Temp says 22c I think I need a better thermometer. Its working slower now. Still not had the lid off to have a look.
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
You will find that the temp will go down as the fermantation eases off as the yeastiest munching and multiplying will emit heat. All normal.
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Nath That was what I was hoping
I am trying to keep a log as I go
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I have been looking round the house and have noticed that I have a cupboard in the bathroom 24 by 30 inch and 6 ft high Now I wonder what I can make of that?
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Ohhhhhh yeahhhh baby!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Peter,
Sorry I lost this thread over the weekend as I have almost finished the shed, re your question on kit and how much you need, I dont seem to have a problem with three kegs and one FV the ammount of kit you need depends on how quick you will go through you brew! As to finding the cupboard, get your claim on that before your other half fills it with towels!
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hi Minty It was a bit of a land grab
I may be able to kig this first lot today then its off to get another lot
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hmm 6 days and still working a bit Say one bubble every 20 sec Is that ready for the keg?
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
The fermentation aint over yet. I keg mine a day after there is no bubbles for a minute. If you have a hydrometer, the reading has to be the same for 2 days.
Posted 1 year ago by Member
thanks Rodders What happens if you do it too soon?
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Your barrel could explode at worst, or at best the ale will be too gassy. Basically, your first fermentation needs to be in the bucket to let the gas escape. Then in the barrel, the pressure is kept in. If you aint finished before transfering, there is two lots of fermentation going on and too much gas is produced for the barrels design. It might be worth holding on, just to get responses for more experienced brewers though.
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Dont worry too much! Did you take a hydrometer reading as that is the only way of telling if fermentation is over (like rodders says).
The fermenting beer will be fine in the fv for 14 days so dont worry, and in my time of making kits I found that even when the hydrometer read the same for a few days I still left it a little longer so more of the yeast fell out of action making my beer clear faster.
Depending on what barrel you are using depends on the fizzy outcome!
A budget/standard barrel will hold about 6-7 psi so it will never be too gassy but I have found with my budgets that if you leave em with a fair bit of pressure they can distord so look out for a "bulging barrel". The little feet are a give away of this - if they are flat all is ok, if they are just lifting - all is ok but if they are 2cm off the floor and the bottom of the barrel is bulgin' - get rid of some pressure by tweaking the pressure relief band (at top of barrel).
If its a king keg - they can take a bit more pressure so dont worry.
The above two barrels have relief valves in em but on the budget (in my experience) I have had to tweak the valve as I felt is expanded a lil' too much for my liking. Once so much my tap didnt seat properly and I lost a good few pints......to the .....carpet!
If its a cornie - then dont worry at all!
Hope this helps
Nath
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I have a pressure valve on mine Oh and my fingers crossed
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I agree with Nath, I always leave it in the FV for a few extra days (normaly 10 on total) just so it clears a bit before it goes in the PB. that way theres not as much yeast sitting at the bottom of the pressure barrel making your beer taste yeasty.
I've got 2 full barrels at the minute and both barrels have the feet 2 cm of the floor and one of them started leaking from the tap but I spotted it before more than 10mls had leaked out. I'd not thought of tweaking the pressure relief band I was just trying to down as many pints as I could
not sure what a cornie is though?
Conditioning - Woodfords Great eastern ale, Parsnip wine, Rhubarb wine.
Brewing - nothing at the minute
Planing - Coopers ginger beer, 5L turbo peach thanks to bmsleight, maybe beetroot wine if there enough spare on the alotment,
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Right gone as far as I can with that beer for now So now looking forward to having a go at Admiral's Reserve
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Hello Peter,
Sounds like all is going well,just having a pint of the Admirals Reserve I left that in the FV for about two weeks mainly too see what would happen as you get a little packet of dried hop stuff with it, I dont think any extra flavour is devloped leaving it does help with the clearing side of things as mentioned above. Its a fine pint!! very rounded flavour very smooth, just put the Great Eastern on the PB tonight and the Wherrey will be in the FV as of tomorrow then its another order for Greg HE HE.
keep up the good work( would post pictures of the brew but Bill Gates I aint)
Cheers
Minty
Posted 1 year ago by Member
PS by the way a "cornie" is a Cornelius type keg you can find them on the site shop.
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Well the Ruby Red has been in the keg now for a week, still cloudy and seems to have a good bit of pressure. I have a stinking cold so cant try it at all.
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Cold almost gone so felt that it was time to drop the pressure a bit as tap was driping a bit. So took about 1/2 pint off Still cloudy but I just had to drink the stuff didnt I? Its getting to be a good pint I think
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
Nice one mate, Im always taking "samples" or wee snippits every so often.....
every so often meaning all the time!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Sad isnt it ? hehe It look like I will have to take some more off about lunch time Just to stop the tap dripping you understand
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
But of course!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Well I can now say that the Ruby Red Ale is a not three bad pint
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Member
I can only think of one thing wrong with Ruby Red there are, sorry were, only 40 pints of it. Deff going to make another batch
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
Posted 1 year ago by Moderator
ALL GONE?????
Go on son!
Conditionin' - LEB Pale
Conditionin' - Thwaits Nutty Black
Plannin' - A user upper!
Posted 1 year ago by Member
Every time I see this thread all I can think is this:
Linky
Posted 1 year ago by Member
hehe you two laughed so much I lost the link and had to book back in
5 gal St Peters Golden Ale as per tin
Youngs Harvest Mild
all a bit moded
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