Recent content by casperjah

I only brew with kits and I have found then ALL to be great. I use Coopers, muntons, brewferm as they are available here in Ireland. One key I find is to try to use all malt rather than just dextrose for most kits. My favourites are Coopers European lager when aged for at least 2 months in...

Yes slip gate, Canned and pre hopped extract, add boiled water to dissolve with malt extract or sugar, add hoops etc if desired, mix, add water and ferment. It's simple, makes good beer and got me into brewing

Yes it covers it but still has a lit of partial stuff, most kits don't need to be boiled so I an really reefing too simplicity itself in mixing and using kits at their most basic. I've done over 30 kit brews plus some wine kits and gotten some really fine beers by being patient. So much so that...

Just a site suggestion, would a separate section for brewers who only use kits be useful? I know it's generally covered in the beginners section but I feel it would be useful. I font have the space or time to go to partial or all grain but do at times meds about with extract kits. Advice on...

Do the pale ale, its easy and I always felt it was ready in a few weeks. Do the Canadian as soon as your fermenter is free. the Canadian takes a bit longer and I found that my last few bottles were always nicest. This way you will have the APA to drink while you brew the Canadian blonde. never...

The flushing taps and is not an issue as much any more here in Ireland as most breweries do their own taps to make sure the chemicals are flushed out. Quality can be dubious at times through and this can be down to ether individual pub.

This is a great thread. I have worked in the bar industry here in Ireland for a period of 15 years. I now work with families and come across a lot of alcoholics and other addictions. I have yet to meet an alcoholic who home brews. I began home brewing to save money. However the added benefit...

'tis to be sure' now I know what a blow off tube is. '.

That's cruder, that sounds like a good suggestion.

My Coopers stout went down really well. My added coffee made a little difference if at all. Will look out for those cacao nibs, thanks for suggestion. Unfortunately its all gone just as it was getting perfect. The skill of patience has yet to be learned ;-(

Not sure on gallons but I did 33 x 23litre beer brews and 3 x 25 litre wine brews. Didn't drink all that obviously, just the beer, gave the wine away. ;-) www.drinkaware.ie

Hi spiffy, I do a lot of Coopers and if you use the liquid malt extract the FG turns out higher, as said already near to 1.020. I have my 3rd Coopers stout with LME on now and its been at 1.018 for a couple of days. I will bottle in another day or so. Some sygars ferment out completely and some...

I rinse after drinking, then run through dishwasher, put away in cupboard American then put through dishwasher again prior to bottling. Great thread, just git he idea to bottle from the dishwasher. I used to line them up on the kitchen counter and bottle. But I would run out of space doing...

Yes thanks I am only adding water up to the recommended 23 litres, no more. Don't want it too weak.

I keep mine in the sitting room behind the couch. My problem is the kids pulling out the airlock. Temp wide it works, but can be cold in winter so then I wrap a blanket around it and pitch yeast when its still warm so it gets going quickly. Might invest in s brewbelt though as getting FG down on...