Recent content by Madferret

If it helps I recently did mine and used 2L fizzy drinks bottles (such as a cheap cola) with 3 tsp sugar, and it was perfectly gassed. Kept at between 15C an room temp, it cleared out within a week and was 'drinkable' in two weeks. I was very impressed...

I had to make it with regular sugar in the end (transport issues). I also ended up with about a litre of extra water (at least according to the marking on the barrel). The rest was to the letter. At least it gives me a benchmark, but I'll try the spray malt with next one for sure.

I've even tried playing the some uplifting music and Poking them with a stick, but there just lazing around 'chilling out'. :D

It's still slow though, maybe the yeast isn't very good? The wine I did is going like a train. :)

I just tried my 'sample' bottle after only 2 weeks, and I must say I'm impressed. It cleared out far better than any I'd previously tried and although it needs a bit of age. It's easily drinkable already. Looses gas easily though, presumably because it's only been sat for for 2 weeks.

I made one a few months back as an experiment, it was that strong 1 pint was as bad as drinking a bottle of wine. However about 3 months of sitting in a cool place, rounded out till it was palatable. I finished them off with my imaginary friend, and neither him nor I had any ill effects...

The only thing I can see is maybe your tap water is contaminated? Do you use pure water? I've never had a serious contamination, and I'm not half as careful as you. :) also I live close to the countryside in a damp climate. Also are you letting it clear out after brewing? And letting the...

Would you get any problems from leaving it too long? Ie with oxidisation or priming? TBH mine usually ends up waiting 5-7days before I have chance to bottle it anyway.

Phew.... It's started when I woke up this morning. Must've been too cool in the room it's in, never had one take more than 24hrs to get going before.

I made a Wilko fruit cider kit Yesterday, but the fermentation didn't start. I followed the instructions to the letter, accept I used 900g honey and 500g sugar. The OG ended up about 150, did I kill the yeast? The temps were all ok, and I'd setup a wine kit in the same barrel immediately...

Fairy Nuff :)

How about brown sugars such as muscavdo light & dark or honey? I've got some laying around so will it add anything to the flavours?

Presumably that's instead of sugar? Will that reduce the alcohol content? I've never used spray malt how does it effect flavour?

As the title says I've got coopers lager kit from wilko, and looking at the instructions it says to make to 23L. I'm wondering if I should brew it short to improve the flavour, as the youngs one was awful at 23L. What I basically want is to get the best quality out of this for a decent Xmas...

Ive always liked it brews quite easily, I dont do anything fancy I even use regular sugar and it still tastes good, never had a bad batch. It does taste better the longer you leave it.