Hobbies: What and why?
So, when I closed my guitar shop, it soon dawned on me that I needed a new hobby. I wanted something that wasn't too strenuous or brain numbing that would excite me and also serve a purpose. Realizing that my wife and I spent around £50 a week on booze/wine, I plumped for home brewing.
After doing a bit of research, I went and bought a load of kit (used but in good nick) finishing off with new equipment I couldn't scrimp on. The thing with brewing is everything must be clinically clean and sanitised.
Anyway, 2 months in, I have just started my 6th brew. After using standard kits for the first 5, I modified one today to suit my needs.
It's a brilliant hobby that I love. We also get to benefit from some great brews. The one I started yesterday is a standard Cooper's English Bitter that normally brews to 4% ABV. I added extra light malt extract (500g) and 500g of organic coconut sugar along with the regular beer enhancer (750g dextrose). I will also add some Fuggles hops during the fermentation stage. The hops will add some bitterness and subtle notes and wqith the modifications should end up around 6% ABV making it a Strong (or Best) Bitter...
Top pic: Irish stout finishing at 5.2% ABV and bottom pic: my adapted Bitter started yesterday
After doing a bit of research, I went and bought a load of kit (used but in good nick) finishing off with new equipment I couldn't scrimp on. The thing with brewing is everything must be clinically clean and sanitised.
Anyway, 2 months in, I have just started my 6th brew. After using standard kits for the first 5, I modified one today to suit my needs.
It's a brilliant hobby that I love. We also get to benefit from some great brews. The one I started yesterday is a standard Cooper's English Bitter that normally brews to 4% ABV. I added extra light malt extract (500g) and 500g of organic coconut sugar along with the regular beer enhancer (750g dextrose). I will also add some Fuggles hops during the fermentation stage. The hops will add some bitterness and subtle notes and wqith the modifications should end up around 6% ABV making it a Strong (or Best) Bitter...
Top pic: Irish stout finishing at 5.2% ABV and bottom pic: my adapted Bitter started yesterday