Has anyone tried homebrewing to save money

Funky_Bold_Ribena

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Bet that's funky Ribena:D

But seriously, less than 2 months is, in my view of course, far to short a time to let the flavours age correctly?, but must say if it tastes ok then....................;);)

I would agree with any other wine than Elderberry. The recipe I use was handed down from a scientist who tried many recipes and came up with this one...and it's worked every time. Even on a bad elder year.

cyclonebri1

Funky_Bold_Ribena wrote: »

I would agree with any other wine than Elderberry. The recipe I use was handed down from a scientist who tried many recipes and came up with this one...and it's worked every time. Even on a bad elder year.

Yeah, I agree if it works then way to go. Must admit I haven't done elderberry for years, time I revisited.;)

whippetowner

I have been brewing for years although I don't do the kits ,I prefer to go foraging for ingredients whist walking the mutts

at the mo got elderflower ,rhubarb strawberry and black currant going

I also grow stuff on allotment to use

brewboy_2

I'm going to give the longer brewing wine kit to the test next, its 44.99 for a 30 bottle batch so that should be around 1.50 a bottle. The Barola sounded appealing from the product description http://www.geterbrewed.com/california-connoisseur I'll let you know how I get on

bluesnake

I my pre-teens tried apple cider, but turned into apple vinegar.

Then in my middle teens, tired 'pinetops'. Takes 1 day to make. Needs to be a bit warm, fresh pineapple, sugar and yeast. It even shattered a few old large 1 litre glass pop bottles. Flew out of the bottle like champaign. Tasted quite bad, but after glass 2 was acceptable.

Some brewing barrel kit approx 15 years ago from ideal home exhibition: wait for 2 ish weeks had to drink it quickly otherwise it would go off, approx 1/4 of the barrel were dregs , did not taste that great compared to bought one, and you could get special supermarket offers cheaper.

The best home made ones I ever had were always elderberry!!! If anybody offers a selection, I alway go for the home made elderberry in preference, even to any shop ones.

tony6403

brewboy wrote: »

I never heard of making wine from tea bags, do you have a recipe? What sort of % does it turn out?

Yes used to make tea wine but stopped using tea bags as they are poor quality for this purpose (and not that good for a decent cup of tea).
For a reasonable wine
4 tablespoons scented Indian or China loose tea.
2 lbs sugar
2 teaspoons citric acid
yeast and yeast nutrient.
Basically make a gallon of tea with the sugar added , wait until cool, strain into fermenting jar and then add the acid , yeast and nutrient.
Comes out at approx 10.5%.
Improves if you can leave it for six months before drinking.

cyclonebri1

tony6403 wrote: »

Yes used to make tea wine but stopped using tea bags as they are poor quality for this purpose (and not that good for a decent cup of tea).
For a reasonable wine
4 tablespoons scented Indian or China loose tea.
2 lbs sugar
2 teaspoons citric acid
yeast and yeast nutrient.
Basically make a gallon of tea with the sugar added , wait until cool, strain into fermenting jar and then add the acid , yeast and nutrient.
Comes out at approx 10.5%.
Improves if you can leave it for six months before drinking.

Always used to use a pound or do of sultanas in mine too, did make a nicer wine.

brewboy_2

I'll give this tea wine ago, cant hurt to try

brewboy_2

Wine bottled and impressive it is, really chuffed to bits, just in time to dish out as christmas pressies. 30 days wasn't a long wait for wine this good