Recent content by CeeGee

Lots of sloes about, though will leave them for a good while yet. Would like to try a sloe wine. Some bugger will probably come along and pinch them for gin before I get them, mind!

Around here (North Beds, so around the middle of the UK) all the various berries are ripening very randomly. Both blackberry and elderberry bushes seem to be doing it. One bush fat and ripe berries, another one almost totally green. The black elder in my garden is half ripe, berry wise, though...

I make mine with fresh elderberries. Usually freeze them first (as previous poster said, this heps the cell walls of the fruit break easier), then pour on boiling water add sugar and a few other things and ferment on the pulp for four or five days before straining into a demijohn. Has so far...

maybe he can’t, but I know someone who was a PA to two PM’s (not Boris), and working around hime, he said this to me long ago! He’s quite (in)famous for it.

I have a set of kettlebells (I’m training in kettlebell sport), various resistance bands and old school chest expanders, a pull up bar, a punch bag and a Concept 2 rower. Also have a Suburito for Kendo home practise. Living out in the sticks, it’s always more convenient for me to home exercise...

Can’t get flour, strong, plain or otherwise for neither love nor money round here atm. :(

I’m in!

I would try a no rinse sanitizer like Starsan or similar, but living in very much a hard water area, I’m not convinced it would be very effective. Perhaps I’ll look for some distilled water in the garage next time I fill the car up and try that. Would certainly make life easier! (Top tip - if...

This is the recipe and method I use, very slightly modified from a recipe from ‘Booze for free’ by Andy Hamilton (an excellent book, btw). Will also make pure elderberry or blackberry, just use 2kg of one fruit: 2kg blackberries/elderberries (equal quantities) 1.5kg sugar Half cup of very...

Good rinse after drinking. On bottling day a wash in oxy solution, then vwp steriliser in the bottle rinser. Leave them to stand a few minutes then rinse with tap water a few times. Has worked fine so far!

I might have a couple of bottles of my Youngs AIPA. Was concerned it may not have carbed (my cider didn’t) as not always warm in mancave, so just tested one I put in the fridge the other day. Still a bit green but very good, and just the right amount of fizz. Supposed to be going up to my...

Bottled mine yesterday evening. Tasted a sample, seemed good. Will see how it turns out in a few weeks!

Single can kit? If yes, what sugars did you use? This sounds interesting.

To be fair, if I ever get gout, I’ll just stop drinking. As much as I enjoy beer and wine, I prefer the absence of pain!

It’s all but clear now. A bit of time in the bottle and it will be about spot on, I think.