Starting out

Brewie

Hi guys,

I'm going to start home brewing. I need everything. First off I'm going to try beer then secondly cider. I've been looking through tis forum and it all looks so good.
Has this kit got everything ill need?
http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-25lt-fermenters-p-213.html

I know I'll need bottles and caps etc.

That's the first question. I'm sure ill have a lot more.

Brewie

deadman1972

Hi brewie another newbie here. That kit was recommended to me as well but you will still need to get the actual beer kit itself, that kit is just the bare equipment. Also that kit does not include the bottles for bottling so thats extra as well. I reckon you are far better off getting everything in one package,bottles equipment,beer kit the lot.

http://www.homebrewwest.ie/coopers-diy-beer-kit-new-with-vwp-sterilizer-red-brewbelt-965-p.asp

That has absolutely everything you will need but it is a little more expensive starting out. Only thing is thats once off cause you will use all the equipment over and over again:D I am thinking of getting that one myself.
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/ Try those guys as well they are great, i met a couple of the mods yesterday in Dungarvan and they are sound.

deadman1972

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html

Actually brewie if i were you i would go with the above one,its almost the same but the ferment vessels are a little bigger. Its better to have the extra room than be looking for it;)

Brewie

deadman1972 wrote: »

http://www.thehomebrewcompany.ie/beer-cider-starter-kit-includes-33lt-fermenters-p-968.html

Actually brewie if i were you i would go with the above one,its almost the same but the ferment vessels are a little bigger. Its better to have the extra room than be looking for it;)

Hi guys,

I purchased the above kit and have a beer kit just started off (a friend of mine bought me the kit so I'm starting off with it.
However, I am more of a cider drinker and I am wondering if anyone can recommend a good cider kit. I like a good dry cider, as a guide my favourite atm is the Savannah Dry Cider.
I also saw a book on amazon & the reviews on it are all good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Cider-Making-Small-Scale/dp/1854861956/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358346678&sr=8-2

As a beginner I reckon I should start off with the kits, but I hope/aim to try it from scratch. is there any real benifit/worth the extra work doing it all with no kit?

Thanks,
Brewie

BeerNut

I'd definitely go straight for making cider from juice rather than kits. You'll find lots of good information about it on this board if you search, but basically if you put 23L of Lidl cloudy apple juice in a sanitised fermenter and throw on a sachet of cider yeast you'll have cider in a couple of weeks, and drinkable cider in a couple of months.

Tube

I did the cider & pear kit from Finlandia, which was given to me by Brian in HomeBrewWest, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bought it. Turned out surprisingly well!

I'm making cider now from a 575L batch of juice which we bought Con Traas in Tipperary in a group buy a while back. First time making proper cider!

deadman1972

I would definitely agree with beernut and go straight to brewing cider from apple juice. The cheapest lidl stuff you can buy will usually do,99p a litre is fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLG-DuZEkI4

Thats one of the simplest ways, its a turbo cider so one of the quickest as well, although to get it bang on i would leave it a few months before lashing into it. That said you can drink it before that:D

Khannie

Brewie wrote: »

I also saw a book on amazon & the reviews on it are all good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Real-Cider-Making-Small-Scale/dp/1854861956/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358346678&sr=8-2

I have that book / have read it. It's a decent read alright. Couldn't fault it. I got it very cheap from the book depository.

Brewie

Well I've finally started the cider.

Quick question, how long typically does it take for the bubbles to start?

Carawaystick

Brewie wrote: »

Well I've finally started the cider.

Quick question, how long typically does it take for the bubbles to start?

6-18 hours, and never, if the gas is getting out but not through the airlock

eurofoxy

i started my first cider last wednesday, i used wyeast, which is a liquid yeast, it was bubbling through the airlock within 12 hours, and is still bubbling every few minutes...

If you just dumped a dry yeast in on top of the apple juice it may take a bit longer for the bubbles to start..