Well lads, what's the craic? I'm from Wexford and fairly new to brewing. I only have 2 beer kits and a couple TC's under my belt and I'm just looking to gather some tips and tricks and to work my way up to more complicated brews.
I'm going to do a basic pilsner kit next and after that I was thinking of doing a Coopers Stout kit with 1kg Dark Spraymalt and some treacle.
I'm going to lurk around for a while and have a good read.
Thanks for having me :)
Welcome Drexl, you're in the right place, loads of very knowledgeable people here to help you out with any questions.
Get yourself to a club meet, think South East brewers are based out of Wexford. You are welcome to drop into any of the Kilkenny brewers meet ups
Thanks for the welcome @darren996. I'll be sure to get to a meetup :)
make sure to check what yeast comes with that pilsner.
If it's a proper lager yeast you'll need to find a way to keep fermentation temperature around 12C
Thanks for the heads up @LordEoin. The place I have set aside for brewing has been 18-20 degrees C for the past two weeks. I haven't bought the Pilsner kit yet. Should I buy a different kit or just swap the yeast for something less fussy like an ale yeast?
My goal for the Pilsner kit was to practice getting the brew clear. The one I was looking at is the Coopers 86 Days Pilsner (1.7kg), cheap and cheerful for practice.
Welcome Drexl. Coopers Stout is decent and if you make it soon it should be tasting well for Christmas time.
@mrmeindl that's sound man. If you're meeting up again in the future and if you don't mind, I might tag along sometime and pick your brains.
@irish_goat cool I'd like to have it ready for xmas. I like stout and ale but my friends like bud and coors light etc. so I might swap the Pilsner kit for the Canadian Blonde because it comes with an Ac (ale?) yeast.
I'm going to put in the order online tonight for a couple of kits and a few bits and bobs:
Coopers International Canadian Blonde with 1kg light spraymalt
Coopers Original Stout with 1kg dark spraymalt
Coopers Irish Stout with 1kg dark spraymalt
I want to have a go at making some real cider when the apples are ripe so I was going to get some Lalvins Champagne yeast.
Any suggestions or corrections would be much appreciated. Thanks lads
Quote from: Drexl on August 03, 2016, 12:28:35 PM@irish_goat cool I'd like to have it ready for xmas. I like stout and ale but my friends like bud and coors light etc. so I might swap the Pilsner kit for the Canadian Blonde because it comes with an Ac (ale?) yeast.
Canadian Blonde is a good kit and can be improved greatly with a small dry hop addition. Thread on it here (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/forum/index.php/topic,2935.0.html).
Lord Eoin has a great kit hacking guide (http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.ie/wordpress/how-to-kit-hack-intermediate/) done up as well. You can use it to improve pretty much any kit with extra grain or hops.
Quote from: Drexl on August 03, 2016, 12:28:35 PMso I might swap the Pilsner kit for the Canadian Blonde because it comes with an Ac (ale?) yeast.
Have a look at the Coopers "Australian Pale Ale" kit also. It comes with a combi yeast (combination of ale and lager strains). Keep it as cool as you can and you'll end up with a nice crisp result that will be acceptable to a lager drinker. Best of both worlds there.
Cheers @mrmeindl I'm after raiding the place ^-^ I saw the all grain kits but nothing on sale in the cans. I'm out Oylegate way. I saw long bottle brushes in Mr. Price the other day for €1.50 if you're in the market for a cheap demijohn brush.
Thanks for the links @irish_goat. I'll put some hops on the shopping list.
Cheers @Bubbles. I may have to try that one
Quote from: Drexl on August 03, 2016, 04:13:20 PM
I'm out Oylegate way.
Not to be confused with Oilgate as I did for years which is just up the road.
There is a good underground contingent of homebrewers in Wexford and head Brewers;
Ciaran - Arthurstown
Shane - Rising Sons
Declan - Lamberts
all used to be excellent homebrewers and kick around here.
Quote from: Drexl on August 03, 2016, 04:13:20 PM
Cheers @mrmeindl I'm after raiding the place ^-^ I saw the all grain kits but nothing on sale in the cans. I'm out Oylegate way. I saw long bottle brushes in Mr. Price the other day for €1.50 if you're in the market for a cheap demijohn brush.
Thanks for the links @irish_goat. I'll put some hops on the shopping list.
Cheers @Bubbles. I may have to try that one
In the neighborhood myself. Near the blessed well. Welcome.
Cheers @CH :)
Alright @googoomuck I probably know you so ;D. Dave is the name.
Quote from: Drexl on August 03, 2016, 06:25:41 PM
Cheers @CH :)
Alright @googoomuck I probably know you so ;D. Dave is the name.
Only a blow in myself. Lee is the name. Originally from town.
Only a blow in myself. Lee is the name. Originally from town.
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Beardy Lee? I know you well. It's hairy Dave, Donals brother hahaha
Quote from: Drexl on August 03, 2016, 07:15:51 PM
Only a blow in myself. Lee is the name. Originally from town.
Beardy Lee? I know you well. It's hairy Dave, Donals brother hahaha
[/quote]
Ha holy shit, how's it going man? If ya need anything ya know where I am!!
Nice one @googoomuck. We may meet up for a few bottles sometime
Quote from: mrmeindl on August 03, 2016, 11:39:08 PM
"Best small county in Ireland to make beer in"
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Beer and strawberries mrmeindl haha