Strawberry Wine 17/11/2018

[Matthew Main]

After a few weeks off, I have started a new kit

Solomon Grundy 1 Gallon Kit
770g of Brewing Sugar
Sainsburys Scottish Mountain Water 5L
Harris Pro Ferm + Wine
SG : 1.072
Temp: 19oC
Yeast Pitched at 20:42

Checking and marking up a new fermenter

Stirring in Sugar, Wine Concentrate

Stirring in Harris Pro Ferm + Wine also the yeast nutrient and acid regulator

Waiting for the must to come up to temp before SG and yeast pitch

SG reading done and yeast pitched

Lets see if this one turns out alright
:)

 

[Dutto]

Like it - but I would stand the FV on a small (but deep sided) tray just in case the brew decides to come and visit during the night!

It won't of course; especially if you stand the FV on a small (but deep sided) tray!

 

[Matthew Main]

Like it - but I would stand the FV on a small (but deep sided) tray just in case the brew decides to come and visit during the night!

It won't of course; especially if you stand the FV on a small (but deep sided) tray!

Only had one go nuts and that was Worzzles Orange T/C I Believe.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I always use a blow off tube when using my heat pad just in case as Dutto says it trys to leave the FV.

Blow off tube - https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/how-to-make-a-blow-off-tube.48970/

.

 

[Matthew Main]

less than 24hr later we have a good head of foam and nice bubbling in the airlock

 

[Matthew Main]

Ok so we may have jinxed it! just changed the air lock to be on the safe side. will see the carnage in the morning.

 

[Matthew Main]

All is much calmer tonight, it must have peaked yesterday, Must is now starting to lighten up colour wise

 

[Anglezarke]

How much is the kit as a matter of interest? I only use fresh strawberries - they're usually marked down in supermarkets and it probably costs me about £4 for enough to make a gallon plus a kilo of sugar. More effort involved but cheaper?

 

[Matthew Main]

How much is the kit as a matter of interest? I only use fresh strawberries - they're usually marked down in supermarkets and it probably costs me about £4 for enough to make a gallon plus a kilo of sugar. More effort involved but cheaper?

£9
I'm only just getting back into brewing so sticking to keeping it simple until i have some confidence back in what i am doing

 

[Dutto]

The older I get the less fun it is to say "I told you so!"

 

[Matthew Main]

The older I get the less fun it is to say "I told you so!"

Deffo Jinxed it for me Dutto, That is legit the first brew that has done that, but it did not come out of the airlock so i say partial win

 

[Anglezarke]

Fair enough. Thanks for the info.

 

[Dutto]

Deffo Jinxed it for me Dutto, That is legit the first brew that has done that, but it did not come out of the airlock so i say partial win

... but I'll bet you either use a blow-off system or sit the next batch in tray!

 

[Matthew Main]

... but I'll bet you either use a blow-off system or sit the next batch in tray!

We shall see, Its slowed right down, checked gravity yesterday and its about 996 but still slowly glugging, will check it tomorrow, taste very dry already, but no off flavors this time, Just wondering if i should stabilise it or let it continue going until ferment has stopped. Kit suggests any where under 995 and its finished.

 

[Dode]

I've just noticed what was used along with the kit used here. One of things was Sainsbury's Scottish mountain water and that makes me wonder. Why buy water when your council tax covers the cost of supplying clean and drinkable water? Having said that, I use a lot of water taken from either the burn or the loch that the burn runs out of just up the road. It's the cleanest and tastiest water I've ever come across. You get a lovely cup of tea or coffee out of it, too.

 

[Dutto]

........., I use a lot of water taken from either the burn or the loch that the burn runs out of just up the road. It's the cleanest and tastiest water I've ever come across. ..........

I lived in Glenkindie where our water came straight off the hill at the back of the house and one of the first things I did after getting home from an assignment offshore or overseas was to pour myself a pint of water to drink!

My God it tasted delicious even without the whisky!

Here in Skegness, the water is supplied by Anglian Water and a black slime forms around every dedicated cold water tap despite the water being chlorinated. I checked with Anglian Water and they told me that it was "normal" but I've still installed a Jabsco Water Filter on the line that feeds the garage where I do my brewing. It's an expensive bit of kit but as the water tastes different to that in the house, I don't bother treating it in any way.

 

[Dode]

I lived in Glenkindie where our water came straight off the hill at the back of the house and one of the first things I did after getting home from an assignment offshore or overseas was to pour myself a pint of water to drink!

My God it tasted delicious even without the whisky!

Here in Skegness, the water is supplied by Anglian Water and a black slime forms around every dedicated cold water tap despite the water being chlorinated. I checked with Anglian Water and they told me that it was "normal" but I've still installed a Jabsco Water Filter on the line that feeds the garage where I do my brewing. It's an expensive bit of kit but as the water tastes different to that in the house, I don't bother treating it in any way.

I bet that you enjoyed the water you got in Glenkindie, and no doubt it was regularly supplied by clouds that carried the rainfall. You'll miss it now.

Sounds like I'd be demanding that Anglian Water come down and clean out their black gunge - and take it away with them. Whether or not they would is a different matter though.....

 

[Dutto]

........ You'll miss it now.

Sounds like I'd be demanding that Anglian Water come down and clean out their black gunge - and take it away with them. Whether or not they would is a different matter though.....

I miss the water all year round, and everything else during May, June, July, August; but (apart from Hogmanay) whenever there is an "R" in the month all I have to do is to remember the limited daylight hours and the cold to realise why we moved south!

I've already complained to Anglian Water and they sent out the Engineer who reassured me that it was okay; but I would prefer the occasional bacteria from sheep droppings to the +£500 bill that I get off Anglian Water every year!

 

[Matthew Main]

I've just noticed what was used along with the kit used here. One of things was Sainsbury's Scottish mountain water and that makes me wonder. Why buy water when your council tax covers the cost of supplying clean and drinkable water? Having said that, I use a lot of water taken from either the burn or the loch that the burn runs out of just up the road. It's the cleanest and tastiest water I've ever come across. You get a lovely cup of tea or coffee out of it, too.

Im in Portsmouth we have seriously hard water here and its heavily chlorinated. so just doing what i can to get a clean crisp brew.

 

[Dode]

Im in Portsmouth we have seriously hard water here and its heavily chlorinated. so just doing what i can to get a clean crisp brew.

I bet that it's not an easy thing to conquer. Not sure why, when your council tax pays for the supply of water, that they can get away with providing so many people with water they don't like, can't drink and don't like having to wash their socks in. Haven't worked out why people up here buy bottles of water from Tesco, either. Always seems a bit daft when there's nothing wrong with the water out of our taps, lochs or burns