Recent content by BrewBandit

Tried the Rossini for the first time the other day (fallen out of love with the usual ales of late for some reason). Anyway, very enjoyable! To my taste buds has a lovely smooth rounded feel, like a wine has body. I'm not usually much of a lager drinker but happy to drink this one, and at...

Hmm, I wonder if they actually use 'real' black beer as described above then? Or just a stout of some description?

Lyme Bay winery do a very nice bottle of the above which wifey and I are always happy to demolish, especially in the autumn and winter months. I fancy having a go at my own version of one. I've searched in here and can't find any recipes (as I'm typing though I'm thinking try searching stout...

Update on above: Racked it off again yesterday to stabilise and ready it for bottling. FG had dropped to 994 from the previous 998 but interestingly it wasn't as dry as last time? In fact it was very quaffable! Obviously one that mellows with time. It was nicely clear already so should bottle...

When you say "after adding the brewing sugar" are you referring to the big wad of sugar just before taking your OG or a small amount to generate secondary fermentation and (possibly) carbonation? It might be a good idea to set out your whole process so far, so readers can see what's been/not...

Yes I've got one of those, it's what the plastic hose flips around the bucket when it exercises it's memory, despite having the bucket clip! I'm going to investigate some stronger homemade clip ideas as shown in here and some more malleable silicone tube.

Yes, I saw those while looking to see if there were any rubber ones, wondered if they might be more flexible and floppy as you say. Might invest in a length, cheers.

Some excellent hints and tips, thanks. Before the next racking is due I shall gather some bits and bobs and practice with water. Time to channel Heath Robinson!

Having only one arm, handling the syphon tube, keeping it in place, avoiding it springing and churning up sediment etc always poses a challenge at racking off time! I use a syphon rod with bucket clip but even so it's a bugger. I was wondering if anyone uses rubber hose as opposed to the...

I've just set a gallon going. It's only my third wine so far and my first elderflower so I liked the minimalism of this Lyme Bay Winery recipe I stumbled across (I ike and have drunk plenty of their wines in the past too!) https://www.lymebaywinery.co.uk/blog/how-to-make-elderflower-wine/ Time...

My dad used to make very good dandelion wine (collecting the heads was a regular childhood punishment detail!) consequently, having just started out with wine instead of ale, I've got a dandelion on the go. I've just racked it off at 998 today for it to finish clearing down. It's a bit light on...

I'd just give it plenty extra fermentation time, wait for your consecutive end readings as normal and proceed. Like mentioned above, expect it to be stronger!

I don't bottle per se. I second fermentation in a pressure barrel and drink most of it from there. However, I do bottle up from said barrel to take beer to BYO events etc. Whilst it's OK bottling just before going, it is a bit flat upon drinking and so I'm planning on using drops. How long...

Tried a pint last night. No longer yeasty at all and rather nice. Made me think of Speckled Hen, but without the initial 'oily' feel that I always seem to experience with the first few mouthfuls of SH!

Well, had my first couple pints on saturday. First impressions - good carbonation, good head, nice lacing on the glass. Pretty clear. Taste was very drinkable but perhaps a tincy wincy little bit yeasty? Main point though was guests liked it and were more than happy to drive k it! In...