Recent content by Ale-in-France

Phone HMRC and ask - they're actually helpful on this sort of stuff. Potential new revenue for them. Might be a bit of legwork and paperwork, but if you think it's saleable then it's maybe worth the effort. I shouldn't think Mr Pimms or Ms S Artois had it all easy to start with, either.

Yep - just had a taste of one - for research purposes, like. It is quite crisp and not unpleasant, there's just nothing there after the first taste, no back-taste that lingers. Not my fave, but not bad either.

I've been experimenting a bit with lager malt, although with minimal success. It's brewed out ok, but leaves a thin taste, I guess it's just not as rounded or flavoursome as the same recipe made with pale ale. Next time, I'm thinking of adding a little something (maybe crystal) to see if I can...

Thanks again. Been using one of these things, with probably about 0.6 litres of water and what I thought was a fairly small amount of SS, but I'm thinking this might be the problem. Am also going to reinstate the gypsum treatment. Belt and braces and I'll never know which issue caused the...

Thanks for replies. Will try a test batch. Also will measure out a gallon of cleaner with a more exact dosage. Usual batch size is around 100 litres, yeast pitched pretty heavily - normally from a previous batch for two or three generations. Normally goes off like a train within a few hours, so...

Thanks fbsf - I do normally bottle fairly clear, and have poss been a bit heavy handed with the Star San in solution. I use one of those little bottle spray pump things and it's a pretty tiny amount of water in there.

If you rack it and leave it a few days before bottling, there'll be less crud. If you can then leave it a while before drinking it should make a nice little cake that isn't too much hassle. Can even take it on picnics/walks as long as the bottle is uprightish in the bag.

Hi all Having a mare when I should be having a beer. I'm suddenly having problems with beer not carbonating properly. I'm on batch #70 of all grain, so sort of know the ropes but have come across frustrating problems. Haven't really changed much and am beginning to pull hair out. First I...

Wilko ones are OK but just be sure not to overtighten the cap - 'fingertight' for me knackered the first two seals. Also be prepared to change the tap for something a bit more meaty as they can leak around the outlet.

Thanks Pete That's brilliant thanks. Presumably the pressure issue isn't the same here as with plastic ones and the corks won't pop out. Back in my pub-working youth I remember having to spike(?) barrels before use presumably to allow inflow of air. The kegwatch people are welcome to come and...

Hi all I have in my possession - long story - about half a dozen metal barrels. They are proper pub ale barrels with a hole in the top and a hole in the middle. Might be a silly question but can I use these to store and condition me beer, and how would one seal them as I believe the openings...

So I'm on batch 11 since moving to all-grain and for the first time the beer's stuck somewhere around 1020, down from 1045 OG. I've given it a bit of a stir and hopefully that will put some life into it, but the question is why did it stick. In every other batch, I've treated water with about...

Hi all I am putting together a new system that I hope to make a fair bit bigger than my existing set-up, but am not sure I can do all by gravity, and I won't be able to dangerously hoik the wort back up to the boiler shelf after it comes through the mash any more as it will be too heavy...

Silly I know, but I'm now picturing millions of yeasties lurking like pyrannas then coming out to gorge on fresh wort.

Not really a question - although it does lead to one. Have been double batching a bit recently, putting new batch onto the sludge at the bottom of the previous batch in order to save on yeast costs (and cos I forgot to do a starter batch). I've racked the first batch into a secondary to ferment...