Are you a backyard brewer?

[bwana]

Given past and current circumstances, and the relatively low costs involved, home brewing has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past year. Ae you, or have you considered becoming, a home brewer?

If so what have your experiences been? Have you dabbled in pineapple and ginger beer or are you producing real beers or stomping grapes? Will you stick with it after lockdown ends?

 

[Binary_Bark]

 

[Cray]

Currently, at the intermediate stage, buy the wort from a local craft brewery, ferment and bottle it myself.

Going to try the whole process from start to finish at some stage... not going to touch pineapple beer though

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Me at 35yo after 2020 lock down....

 

[TheMightyQuin]

 

[Binary_Bark]

View attachment 991458

Swanson did it better

 

[TheMightyQuin]

Given past and current circumstances, and the relatively low costs involved, home brewing has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past year. Ae you, or have you considered becoming, a home brewer?

If so what have your experiences been? Have you dabbled in pineapple and ginger beer or are you producing real beers or stomping grapes? Will you stick with it after lockdown ends?

Nope, I have enough of a Whisky/Whiskey, Gin, Rum and wine collection to last me for years to come.

You know...like a civilized person.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Yes, since 2000

 

[bwana]

Yes, since 2000

Is that how long it took to perfect your very own pineapple beer recipe?

Nope, I have enough of a Whisky/Whiskey, Gin, Rum and wine collection to last me for years to come.

You know...like a civilized person.

While I like my wine and beer the availability of spirits hasn't phased me. I'm seriously considering learning how to make a decent beer.

 

[Kola_CT]

We had a double bubble of ‘hi, do you remember me, how are you, are you home/still brewing or distilling’ this holiday season.

First the usual suspects who you have not heard from in 3 years but they remembered you live in a coastal town with lovely beaches, they really think they need to honor you with a visit for a few weeks.

Then the beaches close and we get an alcohol ban, so the first batch of fukkers either disappear for another 3 years or suddenly turn into your best new drinking buddy, and new drinking buddies suddenly crawl out from under their rocks.
Fukking leeches

So I guess my answer is yes, long before lockdown, but if anyone asks, I am out of stock and am currently taking a break

 

[bwana]

Currently, at the intermediate stage, buy the wort from a local craft brewery, ferment and bottle it myself.

Would you say the estimated startup costs in the article (R2000) are accurate?

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Brewed my own when I was younger, and it was more than decently good.

These days, I don't have the inclination, nor the space required. So not about to start again.

 

[Pineapple Smurf]

Honestly cannot even tell you what year it was when I had a sober day

 

[Kola_CT]

Would you say the estimated startup costs in the article (R2000) are accurate?

That is an average price for kit brewing (like the Coopers and Mangrove Jack kits).
Will normally include one beer kit can, fermenter, PET bottles, the other basics to ferment and bottle your first kit.
Going full from scratch brewing will cost more than that.

 

[Cray]

Would you say the estimated startup costs in the article (R2000) are accurate?

Seems reasonable but keep in mind that I don't start at the very beginning (own malt, hops etc.) So I saved on quite a few things that complete home brewers would need.

If you start at the Wort stage the expenses are quite negligible... (although you do need to pay for each wort you buy from the brewery)

1) Fermentor R150
2) Airlock R60
3) 20 X One Litre Bottles R60
4) Sanitiser - Non rinse Miltons - R30

Each brew...

5) Priming Sugar (I just use normal sugar)
6) Wort Mix - usually about R400-R450 (includes liquid yeast)

You can get a hydrometer too to make sure fermentation is complete but I have managed to do without one so far. Am sure I will get one once I start my complete brews...

For those that are in the Durban area, these are the guys I get my wort from

Brew Kits – KZN Craft Revolution

www.kzncraftrevolution.co.za

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Given past and current circumstances, and the relatively low costs involved, home brewing has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past year. Ae you, or have you considered becoming, a home brewer?

If so what have your experiences been? Have you dabbled in pineapple and ginger beer or are you producing real beers or stomping grapes? Will you stick with it after lockdown ends?

Q: Are you a backyard brewer?

Q: Wasn't slavery banned?

 

[JSparrow]

Mangrove Jacks Starter Brewery Kit

A complete set of quality brewer's equipment and specialised ingredients to get you brewing today! Everything you need is in the kit (except bottles). The kit also comes with thorough instructions to make sure you first brew is a success and you gain the skills to get you up and brewing in no...

brewcraft.co.za

This is the kit I bought in April 2020. You only need bottles but the rest is all included.

 

[B-1]

Would you say the estimated startup costs in the article (R2000) are accurate?

That's plenty. You can find extract brewing kits including your first beer for 1300-1400 when there is no prohibition. (You just need a big pot) From there you can spend quite a lot if you want to strive for the perfect beer.

 

[JSparrow]

Mangrove Jacks Starter Brewery Kit

A complete set of quality brewer's equipment and specialised ingredients to get you brewing today! Everything you need is in the kit (except bottles). The kit also comes with thorough instructions to make sure you first brew is a success and you gain the skills to get you up and brewing in no...

brewcraft.co.za

This is the kit I bought in April 2020. You only need bottles but the rest is all included.

And the result.

 

[Kola_CT]

And as I was finishing post #10 ranting about it I received a WhatsApp... “Hi buddy, how are you? I remember you make beer...”. First message from this person since the last alcohol ban.