Roadkill Brewery Co. (THE BEER THREAD)

[Roadkill]

Sammy's managed to wangle a product test of Lakeland's beer making kit.

I get the starter kit (bucket, siphon tube, spoon, steriliser and keg) and a Beer kit which makes up to 40 Pints.

I just have to make comments regarding the instructions and kit contents and take pictures.

Score !!



I'll See how this one goes but I think I can see me making a hobby of this.


Especially if someone else is paying for it !!!

[Incursus]

Quoting: Roadkill

Sammy's managed to wangle a product test of Lakeland's beer making kit.

I was eyeing that up last time I was in there.  

[art b]

 

is it a two can kit ...?

here are some pointers to a successful beer ..

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=34384

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Incursus

I was eyeing that up last time I was in there.

Hold fire as I've already made various negative comments on it (no thermometer, no hydrometer, no rigid syphon tube / racking cane and instructions contradict themselves).

Quoting: art b

is it a two can kit ...?

Yup, 2 cans of malty tar-like goodness.

[art b]

Quoting: Roadkill

Quoting: art b
is it a two can kit ...?


Yup, 2 cans of malty tar-like goodness.

they are the best kits ..
adding plain sugar is the one thing that gives the beer a grim twang...

[Roadkill]

Really ?

It asks for 80g of brewers sugar before transferring it into the barrel . . . ?

[Incursus]

Quoting: Roadkill

no thermometer, no hydrometer, no rigid syphon tube / racking cane and instructions contradict themselves).

Probably no bottles either?

[art b]

Quoting: Roadkill

Really ?

It asks for 80g of brewers sugar before transferring it into the barrel . . . ?

brewers sugar is a different type of sugar to cane sugar, and is good to give the beer body....

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Incursus

Probably no bottles either?

No, but you do get a pressure keg.  

Quoting: art b

brewers sugar is a different type of sugar to cane sugar, and is good to give the beer body....

So adding 80g as the instructions say is good, yeah ?

EDIT -

Art - Would you say a hydrometer is essential ?  I'm considering picking one up.

[FUBAR]

So then Dean, have you thought of any Names for your Beer yet?

Other than "Free Beer No.1"

[art b]

Quoting: Roadkill

EDIT -

Art - Would you say a hydrometer is essential ? I'm considering picking one u

 tbh i have one but dont use it,

it can be used to tell you when fermentation is complete,
 but i leave the brew to ferment for 3 weeks then its clear and complete,

the hydro can be used for getting the abv,
wit a calculation from the start of fermentation[original gravity ] to the end of fermentation final gravity] if you so wish with a calculation,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gravity_(alcoholic_beverage)


tbh ...i just make it and drink it ....

[Roadkill]

The kit I've got says to leave it fermenting up to 1009 gravity, then barrel with sugar and leave for another 4 weeks (ideally) . . . It's a bottle conditioned jobbie.

Not sure if this is the norm for home brewing or not ??  

[Rob]

Quoting: Incursus

Probably no bottles either?

Time to start drinking Grolsch now before the impending arrival....

[Roadkill]

Tried Grolsch once.  Tastes like feet.  Never again.  

[art b]

Quoting: Roadkill

The kit I've got says to leave it fermenting up to 1009 gravity, then barrel with sugar and leave for another 4 weeks (ideally) . . . It's a bottle conditioned jobbie.

Not sure if this is the norm for home brewing or not ??  

beers ferment then need time for the yeast to slow down drop out and the beer will clear, so 3 weeks in the fermenter will ensure this happens,

time is the key to a good beer ..

the kits give unrealistic instructions,
 to make it look more likely to get a finished product sooner ...

[Roadkill]

So you reckon leave it in the bucket for 3 weeks, then.  What about once it's had the sugar added and is in the barrel / bottles ?

[art b]

yup 2 weeks is ok,

 i always go for 3,  

carbonate in bottle /barrel in a warm place for 4 days then move some where cold for a couple of weeks..
 then start test drinking...

btw
 this weather at the moment is not a good time to brew beers,
 the beer needs to be brewed at around 18-20 deg,

the ambient temp of the cabinet i brew in is 24+ during the day thats in a north facing kitchen,

 fermenting produces heat and it willl rise to around 26-28 ,

 this will cause a fast ferment with the yeast causing all sorts of strange off flavours..

[F Body]

Quoting: Roadkill

No, but you do get a pressure keg.

 

Works well for me, just decanted another 2 litres of fruit Cider to put into the fridge

[Rob]

And I just decanted a couple of litres into myself.....

[Incursus]

Quoting: Roadkill

I get the starter kit (bucket, siphon tube, spoon, steriliser and keg) and a Beer kit which makes up to 40 Pints.

So assuming you manage to produce a half decent beer, and to be fair I've had passable beers from an all in one just add water jobbie, the whole kit and caboodle (minus bottles and sugar) works out at around £65?  

Which make 40 pints...almost paid for itself after the 1st use then...

How long will the beer keep in the keg?  (EDIT: nevermind obviously you'd bottle it and start on the next batch anyway )
How do I convince Katie to let me take over the spare room?

[Titsy]

Throw chocolate at her...

[Roadkill]

Quoting: Incursus

works out at around £65?

Dunno what Lakelands sell it for.

Have a look on eBay as they do the bits you need on there cheaper . . . basically you need a 25L fermentation bucket (in the kit).

The kit gives you a keg, too, but it's not ideal - if this batch goes good I'll skip the keg and go straight to bottling.

The other bits you need is a spoon (in the kit), tubing (in the kit) and Cleaner-stuff.

I'll be buying a hydrometer, personally (NOT in kit) and I have a suitable thermometer already.  

If the first batch goes good I'll invest a little more in the kit next time around.

EDIT -

Also wait for cooler weather !!!

My kit says to keep it between 17 - 25*C but during the day the garage (coolest place in the house) sits at around 26*C !

Not much I can do about that . . . last night was cooler . . I'd guess about 30% of the day was above 25*C so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

[Incursus]

Quoting: Roadkill

Dunno what Lakelands sell it for

Yeah for the Equipment Kit and one of the cheaper Ale Beer kits.

Quoting: Roadkill

Have a look on eBay as they do the bits you need on there cheaper . . . basically you need a 25L fermentation bucket (in the kit).

The kit gives you a keg, too, but it's not ideal - if this batch goes good I'll skip the keg and go straight to bottling.

Fair doos.

EDIT: Very quick search on EBay - Seems to cover most things..

[art b]

quick tips..

dont buy the cheapest kit..
there are some great kits out there ..but there not the cheapest.
use brewing sugar,
temp is very important,
most Tescos have HB kit on sale,
be patient
sanitize everything..
22 litre pet bottles are good
beer will keep in a keg for 5 months...with co2 added as it drains

make wine/cider/ for gurls..

[Roadkill]

Quoting: art b

beer will keep in a keg for 5 months...with co2 added as it drains

Is that temperature dependent ?