Finally got around to visiting the new Nature's Way offshoot down in Smithfield market today during lunch break.
Stocks are somewhat limited at the minute, but looks promising. They actually have Danstar and Safale yeasts, so good stuff. Nice to have somewhere I can just walk to (albeit from work) for bits and pieces without having to pay postage or wait for 2 days. Even Natures's Way's far enough out of the way that I could only get there on a Saturday afternoon by car.
Ended up buying a glass carboy too. £28, bung and handle included, and no postage to pay. Sweet. Only issue now is how to get it up home on the back of the bike ???
Plus the fecker looks to tall to fit in my brew fridge.
-Barry
Class that's worth remembering. I'll have to head down some day and check it out. If we all ask about all grain when we go in, at least it'll let them know there is interest. I'm the same - homebrewing hasn't worked out as cheaply as I thought it would be, and it's partly due to expensive postage from England. Having a decent brew shop I can walk down to on a Saturday afternoon would make all the difference.
I was chatting to Jackie up in Natures Way and it seems they are keen to bring in a mill so you can do your own grain when you purchase it. Also they are looking at changing suppliers cos they are having issues with their grain and hop supplier. They are interested in getting a reasonably priced starter kit for all grain enthusiasts. I like them up there....very aproachable and eager.
Quote from: Bazza on January 14, 2014, 03:13:49 PM
Plus the fecker looks to tall to fit in my brew fridge.
The bubblers can add a lot of height. If you switched to a blow-off tube instead, would it fit?
Quote from: TheSumOfAllBeers on January 14, 2014, 06:00:09 PM
Quote from: Bazza on January 14, 2014, 03:13:49 PM
Plus the fecker looks to tall to fit in my brew fridge.
The bubblers can add a lot of height. If you switched to a blow-off tube instead, would it fit?
Turns out I might be okay. I took a quick measurement and it looks like I might just be able to set the carboy on the floor of the fridge (in front of the annoying plastic jutty out part) and still get the door closed. If that's the case then there's plenty of room for a bubbler.
Quote from: Razzer on January 14, 2014, 04:24:14 PM
Also they are looking at changing suppliers cos they are having issues with their grain and hop supplier.
Aye, that was pretty evident in the Smithfield store. The grain & hop selection was very limited. Couldn't find any Crystal malt. Plus the prices for their 113g hop packets are very high.
Quote from: Razzer on January 14, 2014, 04:24:14 PM
I like them up there....very aproachable and eager.
Have to agree. I used to be a regular in the Newtownards Road shop and they've always been dead nice and helpful. I also get all my eucalyptus, ylang ylang and similar such essential oils up there :P
-Barry
Have popped into House of Homebrew a few times now myself.
Saved my backsaide by having US-05 as I just noticed the day before brewday I was out! Couldn't have waited days for delivery. Plus they are 5 minutes walk from work so really handy.
A friend of mine grabbed a 33L FV from them for us the other day. He said he got a few strange looks carrying it through town ;D
Quote from: Paddy on January 16, 2014, 01:41:45 PM
A friend of mine grabbed a 33L FV from them for us the other day. He said he got a few strange looks carrying it throw town ;D
For that same reason I insisted they give me a box for the glass carboy I bought on Tuesday. Didn't fancy the bewildered/scared/sympathetic glances from punters in Castlecourt and Donegall place.
-Barry
Quote from: Paddy on January 16, 2014, 01:41:45 PM
A friend of mine grabbed a 33L FV from them for us the other day. He said he got a few strange looks carrying it through town ;D
Its a source of endless amusement to all my work colleagues, the lengths that I go to drag a 25 Kg sack of base malt through central london on a barclays hire bike.
The looks I get from everyone gives me a perverse sense of pride.
Especially the look of fear from the jaywalkers who jump out on front of me going down the hill on Charing Cross road.
Well, fears of the carboy not fitting in the fridge were unfounded. Here's a wee Proper Job clone I stuck on last night:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/86457308/2014-01-17%2015.30.50.jpg)
Sadly, the brew wasn't without its casualties:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/86457308/2014-01-16%2023.25.27.jpg)
Looks like a trip back to House of Homebrew next week is on the cards :)
-Barry
Glad the carboy fit! (Can't see the picimitures though)
What happened to the brew? Was considering getting a 5gal carboy but think I will have to stick with my 1 gals until I get more experience under my belt :)
Quote from: Paddy on January 17, 2014, 04:56:23 PM
! (Can't see the picimitures though)
What happened to the brew?
Brew was fine, which is more than can be said for my stirring paddle. After almost 5 years' great service she snapped in two whilst stirring the mash.
Quote from: Paddy on January 17, 2014, 04:56:23 PM
Was considering getting a 5gal carboy but think I will have to stick with my 1 gals until I get more experience under my belt :)
The carboy is a heavy brute, especially when filled with 23l of wort. I was so paranoid about breaking it, I carried it around inside a plastic bucket and rinsed it out on the lawn, which must have looked weird to the neighbours at 10:30 in the evening :o
-Barry
Quote from: Bazza on January 17, 2014, 05:07:39 PM
The carboy is a heavy brute, especially when filled with 23l of wort.
Haha - they can be a mission like. I've been thinking of getting a Carboy Carrier (http://www.amazon.com/The-Brew-Hauler-Carboy-Carrier/dp/B000OF8V5W/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top) but been using a material recycling bag for the past while!
Stupid dropbox public urls for images. Fixed now, hopefully.
Silly question maybe but what's the difference brewing in a glass carboy compared to a plastic bin
no such thing as silly question, but lots of reasons for not using either, let me just go through those, its easier
Plastic is great, I know I sell the stuff, but has limitations in terms of oxidation for long brews, microscratches, potential for infection, discolours after a while on dark beers, can absorb aromas from beer and or hops, make sure you lid and bubbler are tight not interchageable between beer and wine
Glass weighs a ton, easily dropped , can't be boil washed, lets all light in so risk of light stike, narrow neck and a bitch to dry hop in, pain to clean, smaller volume in case you get a blower.
Anyone else?
Having said all that I only use glass or stainless kegs now ;D
Quote from: CH on January 28, 2014, 09:38:26 PM
Having said all that I only use glass or stainless kegs now ;D
Hmmm!!
Me old plastic kit is setting up a nice micro-environment for yeasties!
A bit like the Ale wife and her "Magic Rod"
Correction: She didn't use that for brewing!
Do these guys sell all grain brewing equipment, it would be good to get someone talk you through how it works in shop
I haven't been in to the shop yet, I plan on going this Saturday, but from their website it looks like they do sell some equipment.
cool, I think i'll pop in for a nosey too
My best advice is to get to the next brew day and youll get all the set up help you need....I did and im onto my forth batch. It ironed out problems before they arose.
Quote from: Razzer on January 31, 2014, 12:03:32 AM
My best advice is to get to the next brew day and youll get all the set up help you need....I did and im onto my forth batch. It ironed out problems before they arose.
Cheers lad where did you get your start up equipment?
Cheers lad where did you get your start up equipment?
[/quote]
http://www.nisbets.co.uk/Buffalo-Manual-Fill-Water-Boiler-40Ltr/CC193/Producn occasionaltDetail.raction
This is where I got my boiler. ...not entirely convinced with it though as it has a cut out.......I also bought a hop strainer that I attached using the home brew forum to complete it.
With having hands like a baby elephants foot I managed to make my own manifold (I amazed myself) and wort chiller by "you tubing" it and modifying it to suit myself. I got my cool box from amazon which I managed to get a mate who is handy to bore a hole and attach the ball valve....it is surprisingly easy. If you like I can attach the links.
My theory is that it will cost a bit to outlay the equipment and there will be a few f@@k ups along the way but factor that in and it's really worth it. I'm doing this relatively blind apart from the forums and talking to people like Bazza and Eoin Wilson .....getting feed back and asking questions....I swear it's been invaluable. They won't profess to know everything and are really patient and understanding. We are all in the same boat and the rewards are amazing.
They don't sell AG equipment if memory serves but they do sell various malted grains and a handful of other ingredients.
If you are looking a boiler, manifold, chiller, I'd suggest shopping around online or as Razzer said building some of it yourself. Takes a bit of time but is quite easy. Loads of resources and how tos on the interwebs :)
Had look and much as the staff are very friendly they haven't got the stock, disappointing prices too
Just heard today they're closing down the Smithfield shop.
Not entirely surprised if I'm honest, but hopefully they'll keep the thing running up in Nature's Way. Wonder if the website will stay in operation.
-Barry
Too expensive when the likes of HBC and HBW are so cheap and have free delivery.