Questions, Questions...

[TheFlatulentCow]

Hi All,

Recently got back into brewing after finding my old Boots equipment in the loft. This time around the hobby has gripped me last time it was about getting drunk cheaply (hey, I was young). I've done a few beer kits, wines and Meads and I'm now experimenting with kits but I have questions. I'm sure these have been answered many times so I'd appreciate a kind soul pointing me to the answers, cheers.

Is there any difference in the beer quality between with using liquid malt extract or dried malt extract?
Are hop pellets as good as normal full hops?
What size pot is good for a 20L extract or BIAB brewing?
Does anyone have a good simple Tanglefoot clone recipe?
I have the Dave Line book 'Brewing Beers like those you buy' which is good for reference but I'd like a more up to date book, can anyone recommend one?

[Ditch]

Recently got back into brewing after finding my old Boots equipment in the loft.

[/Thread]


Right there. End Of. STOP!

Shell out a relative pittance on a nice, new, manageable set of basic kit. Costs a bit. Saves ye a fortune

Most especially? Saves ye asking, and us answering sh!t like; " I made some stuff in some eighties period, abandoned, plastic barrels ..... and Jesus H. Christ! This stuff stinks and tastes like vinager soaked cheesy feet!!! WTF?! "

So. Read some more. Worship the memory of St. Dave. But, recognise that plastic has a 'shelf life'



Then buy in some Coopers and join the throng!

[AnthonyUK]

I agree with Ditch. For what it costs it really is worth buying some new equipment.
Wilcos sell some very reasonably priced stuff that you can order in for collection from a store.

For a book, you can't really go wrong with Brewing classic styles - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Brewing-Classic ... 187&sr=8-1
The two guys who wrote it have a great series of podcasts to listen to on The Brewing Network.

[Jim]

Having said all that, I still brew using much of the equipment I bought from Boots in the 70s.



Have a look at Brew Your Own British Real Ale by Graham Wheeler - it's probably the best book since Dave Line's and is fully up to date with modern home brewing.

[Uncle Joshua]

Have a look at Brew Your Own British Real Ale by Graham Wheeler - it's probably the best book since Dave Line's and is fully up to date with modern home brewing.

Jim is spot on about that book, its fantastic.

[Jim]

To answer your other questions: -

-Liquid and Dry extracts should, in theory, be the same quality
-Hop pellets are fine flavour-wise, but are harder to strain out
-You need a boiler of at least 30l to boil up a 20l brew length (I use a 33l boiler for 5 gallons (23l) and it's just adequate. This is to allow for boil over, evaporation and losses, as well as the extra space taken up by the hops and break material.
-I'm sure someone knows a good extract recipe for Tanglefoot, but I don't.

[Ditch]

I still brew using much of the equipment I bought from Boots in the 70s.

Yeah, but that's gear ye've maintained through constant usage

Dunno. Maybe the farting bovine's got away with it already? If so? Fair play. But, can ye really see a grommet surviving a decade or two of sitting in the heat of a roof space?

FV? Maybe. But, I'd never trust to an old time keg. Just too much potential for the sort of heart ache we hear of on here.

[Uncle Joshua]

I agree with Ditch. a mate just got an old keg out of the loft, did a brew and odly left it on his living room carpet to mature....keg went bang and his cream carpet is knacked bwecause he'd been away for two weeks.

[Ditch]

His cream carpet is knacked because he'd been away for two weeks.

So; His cream carpet's cream crackered?

[trucker5774]

His cream carpet is knacked because he'd been away for two weeks.

So; His cream carpet's cream crackered?

Have you taken some "funny" pills tonight , Ditch?

[Ditch]

What it is, Trucks; My oppo's jacked me in cos I dissed his ho!

So, there'll be no more kebabs, tramp juice and films down at Dean O's Bar and Grill on Friday nights now.

Hence ye just witnessing " Friday Night, Live " for about the first time. I'm not usually here to run riot on Fridays, see?

[Uncle Joshua]

His cream carpet is knacked because he'd been away for two weeks.

So; His cream carpet's cream crackered?

It sure is....is it bad that I laughed as he told me?

[Ditch]

Not half as bad as it is that anyone's f**king stupid enough to have a Cream carpet in the first place! Did he have a foot bath at the door?


Hang about! It's just sunk in! He'd got the Ghey, hadn't he!

[trucker5774]

Ditch, I'm shocked, truly shocked. I can't believe you could offend anyone

Right, I'm off to have a couple for ye, mate

[Ditch]

'Later, Trucks Think I might go out on a high note. Get the Dogs in and watch some NYPD Blue