Wood forces wherry

[Purtchiarn]

Hi

I am new to the forum and homebrewing. Sorry also if have posted this in the wrong section.

I am wanting to get started in homebrewing and have been doing quite a lot of research online and on YouTube. The kit I am planning on going for is the woodfordes wherry starter kit which seems to include the items I think I will need. I will look at bottles etc after a while when I brew a larger but just wanting to try a few ales until I am comfortable with getting temperatures right to lager my beer.

Would anyone recommend the kit? And as an absolute novice do you think the kit will meet my requirements?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DPGHJMS/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thanks for your time

Alex

 

[Titanic]

Hi Alex
Over time I have made beer from several Woodfordes Wherry kits, and in my opinion they make a good session beer.
My only reservation is the yeast they supply with the kit. Replace it with Mango Jacks M42 for a better result.

 

[Sandimas]

I think most people will agree it's a good kit but you need to replace the yeast, Wilko Gervin yeast will do a good job too. There's just insufficient quantity of it with the kit (5g I think) which can lead to stuck brews, a standard packet of yeast is double the size.

 

[terrym]

Purtchiarn
If you are starting off with kits try this
http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=57526
Until you know how to boost a one can kit with hops and grain, premium kits like the Wherry usually give better results than a one can plus malt and sugar although they will cost a little more, so I suggest you have a look through the Forum kit review section for some ideas. Without knowing your taste in beer it is difficult to suggest one.
That said the Wherry beer kit has everything you need to start with and produces a reasonable full bodied pint if you like that sort of thing, but like others have said you must change the yeast to something more reliable like the Wilko Ale yeast.

 

[Purtchiarn]

Thanks everyone for your input. I added some m42 yeast Titanic suggested. I have quite a cool house in winter and will be at work most of the day. I suspect the temperature is around the 16 degrees mark most of the day. Will this be a problem for my fermentation?

 

[Sandimas]

Yes it can be a problem, ale yeasts normally need at least 18C. Can you stick it somwhere warmer? If not, get a large garden trug and a 50W fish tank heater, put water in the trug, the fish tank heater in the water (set to 19/20C) and then the FV in the water - it'll act like a bain marie and keep the FV warm.

 

[LarryF]

To avoid it sticking at 1020 I've used Wilko Gervin yeast (£1.75) with a Wherry with good results.

 

[marlon]

To avoid it sticking at 1020 I've used Wilko Gervin yeast (�£1.75) with a Wherry with good results.

Agreed. What LarryF said

 

[IainM]

Snap. My Wherry stopped too early with the kit yeast, and ended up a bit too sweet. The Wilko Gervin yeast will ferment well, and works as low as 15C.

 

[Purtchiarn]

Thanks Darrell, this seems an amazingly simple method. I feel like I need take more into account. Is there anything I should know before I buy a 10 aquarium heater off Amazon ?

 

[Purtchiarn]

Ordering Willis yeast as we speak then sounds perfect!

 

[terrym]

I have a 50w one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hidom-Sub...0-300w-/251202775297?var=&hash=item3a7cda2901
And a trug thingy from Wilko
http://www.wilko.com/laundry-baskets+truggs/wilko-laundry-trug-purple-40l/invt/0267567
Make sure your FV fits inside the trug before you buy, my Youngs FV does.
And don't rely on the temperature controller settings on the heater. Before you use it for a brew you will need to set it up with water and adjust the controller to get about 19*C irrespective of what the control setting is.
I have insulated the outside of the trug with bubble wrap and chuck an old towel over it all when in use.
Works a treat in my unheated garage.

 

[Robin54]

I have a 50w one of these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hidom-Sub...0-300w-/251202775297?var=&hash=item3a7cda2901
And a trug thingy from Wilko
http://www.wilko.com/laundry-baskets+truggs/wilko-laundry-trug-purple-40l/invt/0267567
Make sure your FV fits inside the trug before you buy, my Youngs FV does.
And don't rely on the temperature controller settings on the heater. Before you use it for a brew you will need to set it up with water and adjust the controller to get about 19*C irrespective of what the control setting is.
I have insulated the outside of the trug with bubble wrap and chuck an old towel over it all when in use.
Works a treat in my unheated garage.

I have to say terry, that I might go this route as well, since its so inexpensive, and you can just chuck your FV in the garage and forget about it.

 

[terrym]

Here's a piccy, with old towel temporarily turned back.

PS I add a couple of small sloshes of 5% bleach to the 10 litres or so of water in my trug bath to prevent green biological growth forming which sometimes occurred before I did this.

 

[WierdFish]

Interesting. I have been considering a brew fridge but don't really have the space, this might be a better solution as it is easier to pack away when not in use. Thanks for the idea.

 

[Purtchiarn]

Yes it can be a problem, ale yeasts normally need at least 18C. Can you stick it somwhere warmer? If not, get a large garden trug and a 50W fish tank heater, put water in the trug, the fish tank heater in the water (set to 19/20C) and then the FV in the water - it'll act like a bain marie and keep the FV warm.

Hi mate, I ended up buying the largest trug in b&q, doesn't leave much for clearance either side of the fermenter, considering putting in a few wine corks to lift it up a bit so water will get underneath. What sort of clearance have you got on your fermenter.