Beer, revisited

[chrismpw]

Is it still a bit of a palaver brewing your own?

Not if you get into a routine. Takes about an hour to get brewing, then 2 weeks later an hour or so to steam sterilise (using a wallpaper steamer) and bottle up. A bit longer for lables.

Around 40p a pint and as good as most pubs, as its made to suit my own tastes.

The kits have come on a long way, and so long as you use brewing sugar, rather than the stuff you put in your tea, and brew at around a constant 18 to 22 (not warmer) degrees it tastes nothing like homebrew if yesteryear.

40p though.

 

[summerisle]

Not if you get into a routine. Takes about an hour to get brewing, then 2 weeks later an hour or so to steam sterilise (using a wallpaper steamer) and bottle up. A bit longer for lables.

Around 40p a pint and as good as most pubs, as its made to suit my own tastes.

The kits have come on a long way, and so long as you use brewing sugar, rather than the stuff you put in your tea, and brew at around a constant 18 to 22 (not warmer) degrees it tastes nothing like homebrew if yesteryear.

40p though.

I'll put it on my list of 'Oh, that looks interesting, must look into it' file.

 

[PhilM]

Yeah, Wolf Rock is a nice drop. Doom Bar is one of the dullest beers there is, can't get my head round it's popularity, beyond aggressive expansion and marketing.

I find that it's commonly an awful pint. Even if it's in a bottle I dislike the taste, but it's so often kept awfully that for me it's almost undrinkable.

I think that I've said it before but I also have the same feeling towards Jenning's Cumberland (think @COYBL25 disagreed here) - an awful pint!

 

[PhilM]

Not if you get into a routine. Takes about an hour to get brewing, then 2 weeks later an hour or so to steam sterilise (using a wallpaper steamer) and bottle up. A bit longer for lables.

Around 40p a pint and as good as most pubs, as its made to suit my own tastes.

The kits have come on a long way, and so long as you use brewing sugar, rather than the stuff you put in your tea, and brew at around a constant 18 to 22 (not warmer) degrees it tastes nothing like homebrew if yesteryear.

40p though.

I know someone who has produced home brew for nigh on a decade now and he's got it down to a tee. Some are quirky, but most are very nice.

Like you said, once you've got the relevant expertise you can make beers to suit your taste. He's even delved into making some stronger stuff...

... if you catch my drift. Some have been atrocious to be fair but others have been on par with a supermarket equivalent and not at £15 plus.

 

[COYBL25]

I find that it's commonly an awful pint. Even if it's in a bottle I dislike the taste, but it's so often kept awfully that for me it's almost undrinkable.

I think that I've said it before but I also have the same feeling towards Jenning's Cumberland (think @COYBL25 disagreed here) - an awful pint!

Cumberland is a very acquired taste, you either like it or hate it.

I had no choice but to like it, as for years it was the only real ale in one of my locals

 

[ste d' indica]

Hop Back`s - Summer Lightning, is another good supermarket ale, that you can bung in the fridge too.

Totally agree with you on Doombar, it`s as the Carling of the real ale world and on a par with the crap that Greene King pump out.

St Austell`s Tribute is much much better. ( if kept properly )

Yeah I like Tribute as it goes, and some of their others. Brewery is worth a look if you're ever in the vicinity.

 

[Aries]

Yeah, Wolf Rock is a nice drop. Doom Bar is one of the dullest beers there is, can't get my head round it's popularity, beyond aggressive expansion and marketing.

Quite like a Doom Bar myself. Not my favourite Ale, but I like it. Adnams Broadside remains my Ale of choice.

My favourite beer of all time though, remains a Leffe Blonde. Not as good as it used to be, but still very good.

 

[ste d' indica]

Having another Tanglefoot with me tea incidentally. I only mention it 'cos I'm having chicken Kiev... AND ITS STILL 'KIN HILARIOUS!!!

 

[COYBL25]

Quite like a Doom Bar myself. Not my favourite Ale, but I like it. Adnams Broadside remains my Ale of choice.

My favourite beer of all time though, remains a Leffe Blonde. Not as good as it used to be, but still very good.

When Leffe was taken over by Inbev ( Stella ), the quality nose dived and never recovered.

They changed it to make it more palatable to the supermarket drinkers, which was a crying shame.

 

[Aries]

When Leffe was taken over by Inbev ( Stella ), the quality nose dived and never recovered.

They changed it to make it more palatable to the supermarket drinkers, which was a crying shame.

I agree totally, but for me it remains very very good.

https://www.beerhawk.co.uk/perfectdraft-leffe-blonde-starter-bundle

These 6 litre kegs for the “perfect draft” range, are far superior than the bottle from the supermarket. Can highly recommend. They do a good variety of kegs on there also. I’m getting through all of them slowly but surely and there’s some crackers. Can also recommend the kwak, very very good if a little sweet. Not sure about the glass though!

 

[chrismpw]

I'll put it on my list of 'Oh, that looks interesting, must look into it' file.

Well worth it. EBay will provide a good range if hops to play with, though I'm lucky to have a decent homebrew shop in the next town.

 

[PhilM]

I'm having one of these tonight. First enjoyed it when I stayed in Poperinge back in 2003 and occasionally still find it in places like the Baltic.

However, I got myself a free £20 voucher for Beerhawk so decided to get myself a bottle alongside some other more odd beers.

 

[chrismpw]

I know someone who has produced homebrew for nigh on a decade now and he's got it down to a tee. Some are quirky, but most are very nice.

Like you said, once you've got the relevant expertise you can make beers to suit your taste. He's even delved into making some stronger stuff...

... if you catch my drift. Some have been atrocious to be fair but others have been on par with a supermarket equivalent and not at £15 plus.

The best bit about it is that it's a live product, not pasteurised like mist bottled stuff. You have to be careful pouring it, to not stir up the sediment, but other than that its just like from the barrel of a good ale pub if you get it right.
I brew for flavour rather than getting drunk, so typically it turns out at no more than 5%
I used to be found in a pub religiously every Friday, but I've been only 2 or 3 times this year. Saved a fortune and am yet to have a bad pint.

 

[Aries]

I'm having one of these tonight. First enjoyed it when I stayed in Poperinge back in 2003 and occasionally still find it in places like the Baltic.

However, I got myself a free £20 voucher for Beerhawk so decided to get myself a bottle alongside some other more odd beers.

Free 20 quid voucher? How?

 

[COYBL25]

I agree totally, but for me it remains very very good.

https://www.beerhawk.co.uk/perfectdraft-leffe-blonde-starter-bundle

These 6 litre kegs for the “perfect draft” range, are far superior than the bottle from the supermarket. Can highly recommend. They do a good variety of kegs on there also. I’m getting through all of them slowly but surely and there’s some crackers. Can also recommend the kwak, very very good if a little sweet. Not sure about the glass though!

There's a bar in Ghent / Belgium that you have to provide a shoe as a deposit when you order a Kwak, to make sure you return the glass!
@Armel