The advantages of home brewing when you fancy a cheap tipple

geordie_ben

So, I'm busy making the strawberry and blackberry wine, I've just strained it thru the muslin and put the sugar and yeast in

January20

geordie_ben wrote: »

I got 24 plastic wine corks for 40p!

I was hoping for some super cheap airlocks, but they were still full price

Where did you get them from Ben? I've been looking for some corks but haven't found any. Was going to get some online but I would rather buy locally if possible (I'm in Newcastle too)

Something happened to my first batch of strawberry wine when I racked it. It's gone all cloudy! I cleaned and sterilised everything but I must have overlooked something! Have to do better next time!

My second batch of strawberry wine is bubbling away like mad! The strawberries were riper than the first lot so I don't know if that's the reason but it's like a mini-storm is happening in that demi-john!! The Tea Wine and the Cherry Wine are clearing nicely in their respective demi-johns.

geordie_ben

I got them from Wilkos in town. They were the last ones like. But the one in Cramy had some as well

Fingers crossed mine turns out nicely!

mr2jay

One I can really recommend is the Wurzels Orange Wine

Made a small batch of this in a demijohn and it is a pleasant surprise. A very dry wine though but with definate hints of orange running through it

Started another experiment that smells amazing this weekend - I have started a Ribena Cider. As I say, the smell is out of this world

geordie_ben

I'm going to be doing some cider next. Is your Turbo Cider recipe nice?

Any other recipe suggestions?

[Deleted User]

mr2jay wrote: »

What's best, home brewing is completely legal (provided you don't try setting up a still - big no no).

Or sell it.

I use what is called VWP steriliser which is about £2 for 100g. That will last ages.

Sodium metabisulfite is cheaper, and doesn't require rinsing, so leaves a coating, which will keep the container sterile until you fill it.

geordie_ben

Bedsit_Bob wrote: »

Sodium metabisulfite is cheaper, and doesn't require rinsing, so leaves a coating, which will keep the container sterile until you fill it.

Any links to known brands?

[Deleted User]

There are no "known brands".

It's a generic chemical.

You can get it at home brew suppliers or, if you prefer, ebay for about £5 per Kg.

January20

geordie_ben wrote: »

I got them from Wilkos in town. They were the last ones like. But the one in Cramy had some as well

Fingers crossed mine turns out nicely!

I looked in Wilkos in Killingworth and they had none. Their range of home brew stuff was much smaller than the last time I was there. A bit worrying I thought! I'll just have to hope that the town one re-stock before my next shopping trip!

geordie_ben

HELP!!!

I've just put my mixture from my fermenting bucket into my demijohn

There was a layer of 'scum' on top the liquid in the fermenting bucket.. should I have put this in the demijohn as well?

If not, should the demijohn be bubbling straight away?