Scrumpy!

[flyingbanana]

Any zyder drinkerz on here...?

Never done it before, but I have gone for the scrumpy approach as it just needs juice, sugar and some containers to ferment in.

No explosions so far, but lots of frothing and I have about 25 litres on the go, so I hope it's drinkable, though maybe it could be a secret octane improver- best check my fuel hose spec.  

[dombanks]

good luck it works   ive just lost two of my little steel barrels due to them over pressuring so if you seal them put am airlock thingy in.

fwiw my dad does alot of brewing of stuff and he recons you should skim the crud off the surface using a seive every few days.

[FILFAN]

Can't beat a bit of home brew mmmmm

[flyingbanana]

Yes, got airlocks fitted, though one clogged so I had to defuse surrounded by lots of clean washing in the airing cupboard. Now moved them to a cooler place. I have gone for general neglect, but they don't look too bad.

Seems to be mixed views on what to do after the first fermenting stage- I was going to put all into demijohns with airlocks and leave until Christmas for a taster, but maybe it depends how thirsty/patient you are?

[dombanks]

some of the wines my dad does takes months, demijons are an ok idea. Its beena while since i was about with his brewing but he used an open bucket for a while then transfered into a demijohn and then finished off by bottling it.

for what its worth the beer i do ill brew once in a sealed brewing container and then transfere either into bottles and crown cap or more recently i like using the beer king systems.

to check when its finished its first ferment you can use a hydrometer but i find its easier to just listen out for the air lock to bubble. not had much experience of cider tho so it may be different.

[flyingbanana]

I think cider is the same- I did find a hydrometer, but thougth it was easier just to watch the bubbles.

I think I'll try beer next, so will have to check the beer king system, but maybe a job for tomorrow, as I think it's time to check some of the sloe gin then turn in.

[dombanks]

i can recomend any of the woodfords kits, if your feeling a bit more adventurous the brupacks stuff is good.

brew-it-yourself is a good website, if you live near runcorn then the homebrew supermarket is worth going to but then again so is any good brewing shop as they can advise.

a beer king setup will be about £80 but IMHO much easier than bottles as there is less washing up. i just cant seem to get the pressure right on them and have had 2 almost blow out on me.

beer king mini keg

[RedditchJay]

Tesco.... just buy it in the bottle ready made   LOL

[flyingbanana]

^ definitely the case with wine, and probably beer too, but cider seems quite easy to do and hard to mess up- mainly involves forgetfulness, which comes quite easily...

Just unearthed an attempt at wine from 2006- had a sip then used the rest to degrease engine parts!

Beer keg stuff looks good, but I think I will resist spending on fancy kit until pished on cider.

[flyingbanana]

A quick update as the stuff hasn't turned me blind (yet..?)

The foaming stopped a week or so ago and then the gloom cleared nicely so I decided to siphon the brew into fresh containers.

I now have 4 demijohns (~20 litres) maturing and another 7 litres in bottles.

Drinkable, but slightly uninspiring taste- a bit watery and a bit alcoholic.

Demijohns have a bit of sugar added to see if any secondary fermentation takes place.

Think I could be tempted to try beer and see, though there's a Tesco order lined up just in case...