What's your least favourite thing about brewing?

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Bottling sucks. It was the main reason that I gave up making kits - took far too long for a beer that really wasn't very good. Was better off spending 70p a tine for German pils from Aldi/Lidl. Wasn't worth my time.

Since then I've done an AG brew in small quantities (16 pints a time), which makes it more manageable, and initial sampling of a "green" beer last night suggests it may well be worth it now.
 
Bottling sucks. It was the main reason that I gave up making kits - took far too long for a beer that really wasn't very good. Was better off spending 70p a tine for German pils from Aldi/Lidl. Wasn't worth my time.

Since then I've done an AG brew in small quantities (16 pints a time), which makes it more manageable, and initial sampling of a "green" beer last night suggests it may well be worth it now.

If you hate bottling it might be worth investigating mini kegs. They're like a massive 5L bottle. It's much easier and quicker to fill 4 or so of those than 40 bottles
 
Least favorite thing is cleaning 40 bottles, rinsing 40 bottles, steralising 40 bottles then priming 40 bottles, oh yes and capping 40 bottles !!
 
That nervous twitch you get when you're belting the top of a glass bottle with a hammer. My bottle topper broke at a bad time so I had to bottle 10 litres. None broke but it still makes me nervous
 
Least favorite thing is cleaning 40 bottles, rinsing 40 bottles, steralising 40 bottles then priming 40 bottles, oh yes and capping 40 bottles !!
read my post...
put them through the dishwasher and make yourself some breakfast.
 
That nervous twitch you get when you're belting the top of a glass bottle with a hammer. My bottle topper broke at a bad time so I had to bottle 10 litres. None broke but it still makes me nervous

Invest in one of the lever type bottlers, far easier.
 
If you hate bottling it might be worth investigating mini kegs. They're like a massive 5L bottle. It's much easier and quicker to fill 4 or so of those than 40 bottles

Yup, I've seen them and will investigate, but since I'm only bottling small quantities at the moment it's not too much of a priority. I think Lidl and Aldi do them cheapish normally around Xmas time, so it'll probably wait until then. Only problem with them of course is that they come full of beer.
 
Yup, I've seen them and will investigate, but since I'm only bottling small quantities at the moment it's not too much of a priority. I think Lidl and Aldi do them cheapish normally around Xmas time, so it'll probably wait until then. Only problem with them of course is that they come full of beer.

I dont think them being full of beer is much of a problem, espicially if you invite a few friends around one ever ;)
 
I really hate cooling the wort down, it seems to take forever, makes your arm ache whilst swirling something that's simultaneously really hot and really cold.

That and the hop filter clogging up, with the only way to unclog being scraping it with the paddle, which pushes all of the hops through anyway, making said filter a waste of time.
 
If you hate bottling it might be worth investigating mini kegs. They're like a massive 5L bottle. It's much easier and quicker to fill 4 or so of those than 40 bottles

I love those kegs! Now takes me less than an hour to 'package' 20 odd litres including cleaning up. Used to be at least 2 hours with bottles.

I'm convinced the beer tastes better too!
 
After my first time bottling with Grolsch bottles yesterday, bottling. Removing the tops and washers, using the cleaner/steraliser, rinsing, Starsaning, refitting tops and washers and then finally filling the bottles. Took for ever
 
After my first time bottling with Grolsch bottles yesterday, bottling. Removing the tops and washers, using the cleaner/steraliser, rinsing, Starsaning, refitting tops and washers and then finally filling the bottles. Took for ever
Have never removed the cage or washer ...
just whacked them the the dish washer...upside down naturally
 
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