Return to the brew

[Brewbob]

Hi, I'm thinking about returning to brewing after a 20yr hiatus. I first started making my own beer (with parents permission at age 15), then it was Geordie kits next to the radiator, wrapped in a sleeping bag and blanket, with 2 bags of granulated in!! As far as I remember the beer was quaffable and I have many fond memories of the scientific like experimenting making it.

Since then I worked as a barman for nigh-on 20yrs, the last in a fine pub in Bath, with up to 13 beers, a few ciders, a freezer full of vodka, a fair selection of whiskey, and more rum than you can shake a stick at, plus a few other interesting finds..

What I want to know is what is a good price for an average starter kit? Bottles or pressure barrel? What is the difference between brewing sugar and granulated? What kits are good for a starter? In the future I want to use hops, malt, the whole bit, what is easier to get a good result for confidence building - a light hoppy ale a la Summer Lightning, or a dark malty brew such as Theakstons?

I'm sure I'll have more questions on the way, but thats me for a starter

Cheers

 

[Scott]

Hi and welcome back!

First off, brewing has come on leaps and bounds in the last 20 years, if you thought your kit was quaffable then, wait until you see what it's like now!

First of all, the starter kit. I bought mine from BrewUK.co.uk which was a Woodfordes Micro Brewery, it included everything you need to get started including a Woodfordes Wherry beer kit, which is probably one of the best kits out there for quality. It costs £63 which isn't bad considering what you get!

You can make the cheapest kit good, using dried malt extract instead of sugar you get a lot more body to your brew.

As for brewing sugar vs granulated, yeast finds breaking down dextrose (brewing sugar) a lot easier than breaking down granulated. People often complain about cider like tastes in their brew after using granulated sugar. This is great if you are brewing cider! But obviously not ale.

You can add hops to kits in the form of dry hopping for aroma, or adding a hop tea to your wort to give more bitterness.

Once you have some kits under your belt you can start looking at All Grain, this will give you the flexibility to brew a beer to your own liking, then the possibilities are endless.

Stick around on this forum, I've been reading for a while now and it's full of great advise and the people here are very friendly!

Happy brewing my friend :

 

[dennisking]

Hi and welcome Bob. Browse our kit review section for kit ideas. Brewing sugar will give more body to your beer.

 

[Brewbob]

Cheers, Ah Kelham Island, a fine place, many an hour spent in the Fat Cat, IMHO the best of a great bunch, I also liked the little place by itself near the tram stop down there, and The Bath Hotel in town. Though I don't live there anymore. I have found a brew shop near me which sells starter kits for £58, think I might just go down and check it out...

 

[Scott]

Cheers, Ah Kelham Island, a fine place, many an hour spent in the Fat Cat, IMHO the best of a great bunch, I also liked the little place by itself near the tram stop down there, and The Bath Hotel in town. Though I don't live there anymore. I have found a brew shop near me which sells starter kits for £58, think I might just go down and check it out...

Ship Inn or Wellington? Ship Inn is a very good little pub, not frequented by many which adds to its charm.

Drinking around Kelham Island is one of the best sessions you could have. I personally love the Harlequin.

 

[DirtyCaner]

You a Welly man Scott?. I lived at Langsett for 3 years, was never out the Welly. Possibly best pub in the world. I had the pleasure of joining Gee and John for a brew in December, last time I was down...

Welcome to the forum Bob!

DirtyC

 

[Scott]

You a Welly man Scott?. I lived at Langsett for 3 years, was never out the Welly. Possibly best pub in the world. I had the pleasure of joining Gee and John for a brew in December, last time I was down...

Welcome to the forum Bob!

DirtyC

Not a frequent visitor to be honest, more of a spur of the moment visitor. Each time I've gone in its been a pleasure though!

 

[Kyle_T]

Hello and Welcome :

 

[Wendy1971]

Hi and welcome to a great forum :thumb:

 

[Brewbob]

Welly, thats the one, lovely little place. Did go to the Ship a couple of times, lovely old building with nice charm, but yeah the Welly was the one

 

[LeedsBrewer]

welcome to the forum :thumb:

 

[Brewbob]

Thanks guys, looks good here. Thanks Leedsbrewer, handy hints there. What's the iPhone app like? Worth it?

 

[joe1002]

Welcome to the forum :