What is the best thing to put in a demijohn?

For any alcoholic brew that doesn't fit into any of the above categories!
Chris The Fish

What is the best thing to put in a demijohn?

Post by Chris The Fish » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:13 am

I have recently aquired a demijohn (an heirloom) and would like to put something in it to rejuvinate this little gem, its been in the family for about 50 years or so and i would like to give it back some life.

What is the best thing to make a gallon of?

ive discounted sloe gin as i cant afford a gallon of gin (or any other spirit for that matter)

so what do you lot reckon?

what is the best thing to make 8 pints of?

johnh

Post by johnh » Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:09 am

16 small bottles of Barley Wine? ... and in a demijohn you get to watch the show :D

stevezx7r

Post by stevezx7r » Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:45 am

Funny that, I made a "wine" yesturday using 1 demi, 2 litres of red grape juice from asda (70p each), 2 litres water, about 300g dark muscovado sugar, a cap of vanilla extract and a packet of safale s04 yeast. Made to 4 litres and it should end up around the 7% abv mark. Should be quite nice with a load of crushed ice in a tall glass on a summers evening. :wink:

Chris The Fish

Post by Chris The Fish » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:09 pm

cheers for the responses, the wine sounds good!

Any reason for using S04 over a wine yeast?
(never used a wine yeast so im not sure if this is a silly question or not!)

andywills

Post by andywills » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:26 pm

tc :=P

Chris The Fish

Post by Chris The Fish » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:31 pm

andywills wrote:tc :=P
thought about this, however im not a great cider fan, only yesterday i had to sheepishly give a pint back to the host of a soiree exclaiming that i couldnt drink it as it tastes like sh..!

he had a shed full of beer so wasnt unduly offended.

i was thinking about doing a lemon or other such flavoured tc

andywills

Post by andywills » Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:34 pm

interesting...could the acidity in the lemon kill of the yeast tho? anyone know?

Chris The Fish

Post by Chris The Fish » Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:19 pm

not really sure if lemon (acid) would kill the yeast, im sure ive seen a lemon alcopop recipe here somewhere.

i think im going to go with steves grape recipe, sounds good and i reckon the missus may even like it!

still up for ideas for future brews mind.

I went picking elderflowers yesterday and the location was teeming with hedgrow ingredients - A whole row of hazelnut trees, blackberry bushes, blackthorn (sloes), elder (for flowers and berries), wild (dog) roses for the hips to make syrup (rosehip wine anyone?)

I can feel an urge to experiment comming on!

Russ

Post by Russ » Fri Jun 20, 2008 7:50 pm

How about a dry white wine?

http://www.winesathome.co.uk/forum/show ... php?t=1562

I made this and it's quick, easy and tastes great (for a fruit based drink for the ladies :oops: )

DRB

Post by DRB » Tue Jun 24, 2008 10:44 am

I have made that wine from winesathome, and I can tell you it is very good indeed.

richard_senior

Post by richard_senior » Tue Jun 24, 2008 12:18 pm

I use demijohns for knocking up experimental beer.
But I've always thought the best use for them is 'country wine'.
By which I mean, scratting around in your garden for anything with sugar in it, boiling it all up, and throwing in some yeast.
Drink it no matter what! that's the real key with country wine :)

SiHoltye

Post by SiHoltye » Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:13 pm

I fancy doing a spiced mead for chrimbo, that's what I'd do with a spare demi.

Martin the fish

Post by Martin the fish » Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:15 pm

Some nice exotic plants. It's a bit of a chore getting them and the medium to grow them into the demi but it's worth it. :lol:

richard_senior

Post by richard_senior » Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:24 pm

HAHAHHAHAHHAHA

Martin the fish

Post by Martin the fish » Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:40 pm

DaaB wrote:Fart into it for a week then trick the missus into sniffing it :=P
That's such a good idea i've already started 'dropping' into my Demi... :lol:

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