Elderflower Champagne... Best Recipe??

splodger_seedswapper

i think it went mouldy because too much air has got in the bucket - use a lid on the bucket not a tea-towel in future - and just let any gas out each day by lifting a corner of the lid and push down on it

i agree with farway - strain it off and put it in a demijohn - fitting an airlock

only fill up to shoulder of dj - just in case it fizzes over - when it's calmed down a bit - you can top it up

i don't make elderberry champers myself as i don't like it - so can't give any advice specific to that brew i'm afraid

jumblejack

splodger_seedswapper wrote: »

i think it went mouldy because too much air has got in the bucket - use a lid on the bucket not a tea-towel in future - and just let any gas out each day by lifting a corner of the lid and push down on it

i agree with farway - strain it off and put it in a demijohn - fitting an airlock

only fill up to shoulder of dj - just in case it fizzes over - when it's calmed down a bit - you can top it up

i don't make elderberry champers myself as i don't like it - so can't give any advice specific to that brew i'm afraid

Cheers:beer:
I do have a Demi John that came in a kit off freecycle that is yet to be used. There is a lid with a straw kinda thing in that came with it. I will have to get the instructions out and put it to use!!

Thanks again

Farway

This is the type of thing you need for the top of the demijohn. One rubber bung & one bubbler. The bubbler fits in the hole in the centre of the bung

http://www.hopshopuk.com/categories/view/465/wine-making/wine-making-equipment/airlocks-bungs-and-corks

Once fitted, add plain water into the bubbler to be level in both chambers, and soon you will see bubbles of CO2 escaping from the fermenting brew via, waht is now the airlock

jumblejack

Thank you!:j

Pink.

Hi jumblejack,

Now that your thread has dropped down the board I've added it to our main elderflower champagne thread as your queries may help others who are making it.

Pink

edthedoc

My tip:

Buy cheap spring water in fizzy drink style (not ridged or squidgy) 2 litre plastic bottles from the supermarket, use the water for your brew and put the lids straight back on, then you have sterile (well, sterile enough, I'm sure) 2 litre bottles ready to go when you come to bottling your champagne. This is what I've done a number of times, and worked really well for me. Much safer than glass bottles, but do remember to release the pressure when the bottles get firm.