40p a pint! Bargain! (Home Brewing Lager)

Member Name: Scruffstone

Product:	Home Brewing Lager
Date:	05/11/08 (48 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap lager on tap whenever you want it

Disadvantages: Distinct start up cost but pays in the long run

History

I first started brewing our own lager/beer about 9 months ago.

I tried making some nettle beer which I loved but DH didn't and being as he's the one who does the most drinking there wasn't any point in persuing it.

The Kit

So we decided to invest in a Beer starter kit. This cost about £40 but came with all the essentials to start making lager yourself.

It came with a tin of mix to make the lager from, a 5 gallon beer bucket (holds 40 pints roughly), and a few other bits and bobs. We also bought a 5 gallon beer barrel (about £25) to keep the lager in once made (but you can use other vessels).

All that you need on top of that is tap water and sugar (I've used standard granulated white sugar so far).

Having made the first lot successfully we've since made 2 more, equally successfully and have invested in a second barrel so that whilst one lot is brewing you can drink the other lot! Otherwise you'd have to wait 3-4 weeks for your next lot.

We first started making our own lager to cut costs, although obviously there's considerable investment initially having got the kit it's only £10 for 40 pints of good lager! So over time we certainly will save money - it all depends on how much you drink as to how worth it it is. If you can drink 40 pints in the 3 months it stays ok for then it's well worth it, if not it'll go off before it's finished.

How to do it

Ok so you've got your starter kit and a beer barrel. The process goes roughly like this:-

1) Sterilise everything before you start anything (you can buy sterilsing fluid very cheaply in the baby section of a supermarket!)
2) Warm the can of "mix" up in hot water for 5 mins to soften the contents
3) Tip the contents of the can into your beer bucket
4) Add loads of boiling water
5) Add the sugar and mix until it's dissolved
6) Add loads of cold water
7) Add the sachet of yeast and stir
8) Leave it somewhere warm for 4-6 days
9) Syphon it off into your sterilised beer barrel (starter kit comes with equipment to do this and an explanation of how to do it!).
10) Add more sugar
11) Leave to stand somewhere warm for 2 days
12) Move to a cool place for 14 days

It sounds like a long process and I guess it is but having done it a couple of times it's not such a big deal and it's well worth it!

Also we pour a pint earlier on in the day ready for in the evening that way it's nicely chilled and far superior in taste.

Disadvantages

It's takes 3-4 weeks to make
It's not gasey lager - but there are ways of making it so
A distinct start up cost but it saves you lots in the long term
A certain amount of planning ahead needed

Advantages

Lager on tap whenever you want it!
Lager at 40p a pint!
If it's really not for you having shelled out on the equipment you can easily resell at a good price on ebay for example.

Summary: If you drink a fair bit then well worth it