Jim's Beer Kit

A handy tip is to use 1 plastic (PET) bottle along with your glass ones. When the beer is fully carbonated it feels firm to the touch when squeezed.

I always leave the beer at about 20 degrees after bottling for a week or two to carb up before storing at cellar temp. It will carb up at the lower temp but will take longer. It depends how quickly you intend drinking it and, if like me, you like fresh, pale hoppy beers that can be pretty quickly.

I live in the London area and have produced my best beers ever using Bru n water but, hey, what do I know. [emoji18]

I've never needed a domed lid even though I brew in an unheated garage and it gets pretty cold at times. I leave the lid partly on until up to boiling temperature and then remove it A thermo collar (insulated jacket) is handy if you brew in cold ambient conditions but you can always make your own wi...

DONT clean aluminium with caustic soda. It will melt.

If you've got an iPhone or iPad the BrewPal app is really good and not overly complicated.

Great find. I like the smaller bottles. I can have a bottle with my dinner every night without worrying about drinking too much (especially good for the stronger brews too) [emoji482]

Great. Thanks BigMouth [emoji482]

I've used a pritt stick to apply home printed labels. It sticks well and they come off easily with a rinse in warm water.