Headcracker is in the bucket ;)

[Monkeybrew]

As there doesn't seem to be many recent threads on here about Woodfordes Headcracker, I thought that I would start a thread that tracks my progress.

I have been wanting to brew this ale eversince I read a reviewer who described it as "Christmas pudding in a glass"

For anyone who isn't familiar with this kit, its a barley wine, 2 can (3kg) kit that is brewed to 24 pints!

I have just got this kit underway and have an OG of 1066. If it gets near 1014, I will have a 7% Barley Wine on my hands.

I will update as I go.

[Stomach]

I have just got this kit underway and have an OG of 1066. If it gets near 1014, I will have a 7% Barley Wine on my hands.

I will update as I go.

I bet you dont keep us updated!!!

[Monkeybrew]

There will certainly be no coherent feedback after a couple of pints!

Good news though, after only 8 hours after pitching the yeast, there was life in the FV.

[duffymoon]

Be warned - this takes a long time in bottles before it comes good! I found it sickly-sweet about 2 months after bottling, but it's now delicious about 9 months on! You'll enjoy it with you mince pies come Christmas

[Monkeybrew]

That's ok, I can stash it in the garage and forget about it if need be

[Stomach]

There will certainly be no coherent feedback after a couple of pints!

Good news though, after only 8 hours after pitching the yeast, there was life in the FV.

This one is going to be messy!!

[Monkeybrew]

It's already getting messy, it was trying to escape from my 15L FV yesterday!

[dunc]

Its a good brew this one after a few months in the bottle. I'm getting mine on for Christmas in a couple of weeks.

[Monkeybrew]

Its a good brew this one after a few months in the bottle. I'm getting mine on for Christmas in a couple of weeks.

Sounds good, roll on Christmas!

Dunc, I see that you are drinking Almondbury Old, what shop bought ale would you compare it to?

[Monkeybrew]

Quick update -

I took an SG reading this morning before work and its down to 1026 on day 4

[g1tpo]

I tried my Headcracker at the weekend...after 4 weeks in the bottle. I can see why some have called it Christmas Pud in a glass.... I wasn't that impressed, but I've still got 20 odd bottles I intende to keep at least another month before I sample again. I got about the same O/G of 1066

[Monkeybrew]

Well that will teach me for saying that I've never had a kit stick, my Headcracker has been static at 1021/1020 for a couple of days.

I gave it a gentle stir last night, so let's see what happens

[Stomach]

Stay stong Luke! Let the force do the work.....

[Monkeybrew]

Stay stong Luke! Let the force do the work.....

The trouble is, I think the force is dead!

How long do I give it after I've roused it slightly, to see if anything happens?

This is my backup plan -

*Rack the wort of into a clean FV
* Add 5g of Safale 04 yeast
*Sit back and watch my brew ferment out

On the subject of the yeast, I have got the 04 for my Great Eastern experiment and want to use the remaining yeast in a couple of weeks time. Can I just seal it up and store it in the fridge??

[Stomach]

Stay stong Luke! Let the force do the work.....

The trouble is, I think the force is dead!

How long do I give it after I've roused it slightly, to see if anything happens?

This is my backup plan -

*Rack the wort of into a clean FV
* Add 5g of Safale 04 yeast
*Sit back and watch my brew ferment out

On the subject of the yeast, I have got the 04 for my Great Eastern experiment and want to use the remaining yeast in a couple of weeks time. Can I just seal it up and store it in the fridge??

i would give it 24 hours ish, so check tomorrow, if nothing has happened then back up plan as described!

And yeah you should be ok to do that with the yeast!

cheers