Jim's Beer Kit

You could have a point, Chris. I'm lucky here in Devon as the water is great for brewing (same supply as the local brewery) I have never been one for getting involved in water treatment or even checking PH. I messed a little when in Lancashire, but never appreciated any difference.......again the wa...

I have brewed many different types and different ways over the years. I tend not to use finings (occasionally protafloc in the boil) I am regularly drinking my beer 7 to 10 days from brew day. I don't drink it all, so I have beers at different ages. Anyone else getting stuck in early?

I always use straight table sugar for priming. I have experimented with bottling/barrelling before the FG is reached, but sugar is easily fermented and reliable. As little as 70g for a 23 lire batch will be similar or slightly above pub cask carbonation. No idea why your DME didn't work. A vacuum co...

Could be the malt. I have just finished 50kg with just 1kg of the new batch in the last brew (no difference noticed, but it was a higher O.G. too) Will find out soon!

Yes done all the usual stuff with regards to calibration and temperature, thanks. I have 3 hydrometers! It's a mystery!

Ale yeast can actually be a good option. If your cider is drier than you would like, then ale yeast may be the solution as it tends not to attenuate as well.

My recent brews have been finishing around 1012. It's across the board, dark and pale. Mashing varied between 62C and 67C and various yeasts (currently SO4) I usually have a FG about 1008 for the same beer/process. OG between 1042 and 1048. Anyone got any ideas what could have made the change? Beers...

I need to stock up on hops. Where are people buying and in what quantities, please?

Time sorted......forgotten that it wasn't automatic

I will have a look, Kev. It's years since I have been a regular on here!

I have used loads of filters over the years, including the metal pan scrubs. ..........On another point, not having been on the forum for a while. I just noticed that the last reply was at 3.38 pm. It is now only 3.07 pm.......is the site on BST?

Thanks fellas. I used whole hops early in the boil and pellets late. It took about an hour to drain, rather than the usual 10 minutes. I have tried a variety of strainers/bags in the past with whole hops. On this occasion the slow filtration, although a pain, has resulted in a very clear run off!

Hi guys......yes I know it's been a while since I posted. Today I have done an IPA style and for the first time with this set up (first time ever, actually) I used pellets rather than whole hops. The copper is draining slowly but will probably get there. Just wondered if anyone has experienced the s...

50p in Scotland (being challenged in the courts I believe). 45p in England (dunno about other outposts). Won't it just affect plonk + nasty lager/ales i.e. cheap booze ? In theory, but..................Ive just stocked up on a mixture of ciders and lagers which I enjoy occasionally, but many of my ...

This policy is making me really angry. Why can't I buy what I want from the best deal and drink it at my leisure? It just won't work. All it will do is raise more revenue. They may as well tax heroin! If a binge drinker wants it that badly they will steal to pay for it, steal it directly or just pay...