Jim's Beer Kit

A cup of strong tea...........2 or 3 bags left to stand will add tannin. Its said to give body to the TC but can also add some dryness. Im with you on the sweetness thing. I dont like it as dry sand paper but not like honey either. I'm hoping for something about the level of Strongbow! Saccharin, su...

Thanks clogwog. The 80c question was not so much "why hot water" but why 80c? If a typical strike temperature is around 72c to allow a mash to be around 67................why now go to 80C See where my confusion is?

Thanks guys (and dosey girl ) I got a little distracted yesterday. No change in the readings today, so I will go ahead and bottle. Both brews will still be in the region of 4% ABV after the priming sugar is used up.........................now the hard part.....waiting and resisting!

Hi Bungle, I intend to do a TC almost identical to that. I will be adding some tea to mine and probably use a yeast less able to stand the high alcohol in the hope it will not ferment to dryness. DREADSKIN is the dude to consult on matters of such skullduggery. I'm sure he will pop up at some point....

Hi Joel. Both brews been in the FV for 9 days total. 6 day fermenting and 3 days stable. Been constant at 21C (just due to the weather)My hydrometer is calibrated at 20C and is only +0.001 at 25C, so all about right there (if it's accurate)

I have two brews in FVs. 1st is coopers wheat beer O.G. 1040..............the 2nd Woodfordes Wherry O.G. 1042. Both have shown stable hydrometer readins for 3 days. The Coopers at 1014 and the Woodfordes at 1016. What do they normally get to? Should I just go ahead and bottle or try and get them to ...

It's been some years since I was involved in AG (but planning a return) Remember to fill the FV through a fine sieve (if you didn't) this will also help with aeration as well as catching any bits

The principle sounds great..........doing two tasks in one! As long as there are no nasties or creepy critters snoozing in the coils, then it is basically a curly syphon tube, but on a tap outlet :roll: Be sure the wort is well filtered before entering the coil. It wont be much fun trying to clear a...

We love a bit of head......mmmmm..........Just get a glass, measure a typical head and pour that amount into a measuring jug. Repeat this for a mini session and see what it costs

I've seen ABV stated on the pump heads, definitely for some lagers..........can't remember for guinness. I must say, though I really hate getting a head on my beer if it's in a pint glass (pint to the brim) but I do like a head. I'm just not prepared to pay for the space in the glass!

Out of curiosity, why is a hydrometer/thermostat or refractometer no good to you :-k Hi Mac, The query arose in the pub (where else) when talking about strengths of beers. A guy asked how could we get a pint over the bar and check if it was the stated ABV, without knowing any more about it............

Thanks Rob. That had crossed my mind but I have the "good fortune" not to have a garden full of nettles.(it may even have been a previous post of yours I read at some time) I will be a little more vigilant as to where they are growing and when the local authority cut the verges back!

Sounds like we are all thinking along the same lines. Thanks for the advice guys.

Thanks Mac. I had a look at the link. I notice you have to log in (open an account) just to see the price! I guess this proves the point you made that they are expensive! (and may not work with residual sugar)

I have'nt started my nettle beer yet. I have seen some recipes which use the leaves and stalks. I was was thinking leaves only. The main question is.....................Is it getting a bit late in the nettle season? They are starting to flower/seed. Should only young stingers be used?