Search found 213 matches

by brewjohn
Wed Dec 07, 2022 11:47 am
Forum: Kit Brewing
Topic: Wherry at Wikinsons stores
Replies: 8
Views: 2193

Wherry at Wikinsons stores

A couple of months ago I picked up a Wherry at Wilkinsons store in Preston Lancs and it was the only one on the shelf and also all the packets of gervin yeast were also missing .I was in town testerday so I called in again and found the shelves even more empty . I asked an assistant and was told its...
by brewjohn
Mon Aug 08, 2022 2:34 pm
Forum: Winemaking
Topic: Wine expert and Vineco kits
Replies: 2
Views: 1579

Wine expert and Vineco kits

at Christmas I was given a Vineco Shiraz kit. I now decided to get another one but my local homebrew shop only had Wine extert kits . Opening up the Wine expert box it looked familiar to the Vineco one I did previous. Even the instruction sheet was the same ? Is this what I know as "Badge engineerin...
by brewjohn
Thu Jan 20, 2022 8:12 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: fermentation heaters
Replies: 3
Views: 737

Re: fermentation heaters

thanks for reply. Its in an insulated chipboard cupboard I knocked together lined with polystyrene sheets and is fed via an ATC 800 controller and is now sat in an unheated garage in freezing lancashire maintaining 20 deg C. lets hope the brew turns out as good.
by brewjohn
Thu Jan 20, 2022 3:08 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: fermentation heaters
Replies: 3
Views: 737

fermentation heaters

a few years ago I was given a square alluminium heater that can be used for 4 x demjlohns or 1X 5 gal bucket. Iv'e not used it yet but have had to dig it out as my 12 " tubular heater has failed. The only thing I have noticed it does not have any wattage rating stamped on it or a label. Anyone know ...
by brewjohn
Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:44 am
Forum: Extract Brewing
Topic: using one can of Wherry etc
Replies: 12
Views: 3328

Re: using one can of Wherry etc

I allways throw away the packet yeast when doing any kit and use SO4. I notice Wilko are doing Gervin yeast at £2.50 and its a repackaged Nottingham strain. Have used that a few times
by brewjohn
Mon Nov 29, 2021 3:28 pm
Forum: Extract Brewing
Topic: using one can of Wherry etc
Replies: 12
Views: 3328

Re: using one can of Wherry etc

I've allways racked into another container and left for a few days before bottling. I like the minimum of yeast in the bottle . This was suggested in the Penguin book of home Brewing by W.H.T. Tayleur I purchased in 1973 ! I ferment in a heated temperature controlled cabinet in the garage I have ple...
by brewjohn
Fri Nov 26, 2021 3:20 pm
Forum: Extract Brewing
Topic: using one can of Wherry etc
Replies: 12
Views: 3328

using one can of Wherry etc

HI all , at the moment I am suffering with a bad back and dont fancy lifting a fermenter with 5 gallon in it !! I have a Wherry to do and am thinking of using just one can and one packet of yeast and making 2 gallon. I intend to let it ferment for a few days in the fermenter and when its settled a b...
by brewjohn
Wed Oct 28, 2020 12:15 pm
Forum: Home Brew Suppliers
Topic: Something Brewing StAnnes
Replies: 1
Views: 3244

Something Brewing StAnnes

have we any brewers in the Fylde/Blackpool area. Just want to know if Something Brewing in St Albans Road St Annes is still open for trading. I am in Leyland Lancs and my nearest shop at Leyland has closed due to retirement after 40 years and St Annes is now the nearest one to me.Hope its still goin...
by brewjohn
Fri Aug 21, 2020 12:00 pm
Forum: Winemaking
Topic: beaverdale kits
Replies: 4
Views: 2770

beaverdale kits

Just bought 2 X6 bottle kits a Merlot and a Shiraz. They are both fermenting like never before and climbing out of the airlock onto the worktop. Never been as violent as this before ,made plenty ! I have read that the sachet of juice in the 30 bottle packs is smaller but more concentrated .I wonder ...
by brewjohn
Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:18 pm
Forum: Kit Brewing
Topic: Woodfordes Wherry Yeast
Replies: 10
Views: 6444

Re: Woodfordes Wherry Yeast

Are the 2 packets the same old yeast or a new strain ? I noticed yesterday in Wilko's Preston that Wherry was £17 !
by brewjohn
Sun Sep 30, 2018 2:49 pm
Forum: Grain Brewing
Topic: idea for mash tun
Replies: 3
Views: 1648

Re: idea for mash tun

yes the mash will be up to temperature when I put it in the cupboard. Its just a way of keeping it steady in winter as the mashing takes place in a unheated garage. I might even put the transmitter in for my remote weather station so I can get a rough idea of temp from the house.
by brewjohn
Sat Sep 29, 2018 11:13 am
Forum: Grain Brewing
Topic: idea for mash tun
Replies: 3
Views: 1648

idea for mash tun

Just knocked together a heated fermenting cupboard from chip board and polystyrene sheet . in the bottom I installed a 60 w 12 " tublar heater. I wondered if I could fit my mash tun in ,stick the PTC sensor in the middle of mash and put the temperature up to 66C or so on the ATC800 ?. When the mash ...
by brewjohn
Wed Jul 04, 2018 1:58 pm
Forum: Yeast
Topic: whitbread yeast from the sixties
Replies: 10
Views: 3811

Re: whitbread yeast from the sixties

It was in dry form and he said he used to hydrate it. It came down from London by train and he collected it at the station. he also said that the Lager yeast came by air from Denmark and came to Manchester airport.
by brewjohn
Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:08 am
Forum: Yeast
Topic: whitbread yeast from the sixties
Replies: 10
Views: 3811

whitbread yeast from the sixties

I started brewing in the late sixties after Reg Mauldling opened the flood gates for brewers.At the time I could only get yeast in a brown envelope with "beer yeast " printed on but had no idea were it came from ? then Whitbreads opened a new brewery down the road from me in Salemsbury Preston Lancs...
by brewjohn
Sat May 26, 2018 10:30 am
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: Bottle cappers
Replies: 7
Views: 2513

Re: Bottle cappers

Don't laugh at this but it works ! I had a black plastic 2 handled one (think it was a youngs ) but it soon became worn. I drilled out the rivets and removed the bit with the metal cup on that's all I used. This was screwed onto a 2 foot length of 3x2 about 6 inch from the end and a hinge was fasted...