new to wine and beer making

[johnny_boy]

Hi all, i really want to have a go at making my own beer and wine, but i am a complete novice and i dont know where to start!!

Can anyone tell me what equipment i would need for beer and wine and how much this stuff will normally cost?

Also any simple beer or wine recipe's that i can try to start me off (hopefully not to complicated).

Keep hearing about beer making kits...but are they any good or is it best to do it yourself from scratch?

Thanks

John

[Lottieluvva]

I thought about this last year. I have a huge number of grapes, both black and white from the vines I grow (more for separating areas on my allotments, really, than for anything else). I just eat the ones I can and give the rest away. But this year I would like to try making wine. Ideas for me too, please and I'll share a bottle with the nearest member if it comes out ok!!

[Dogstar]

The best thing to do is have a look at the online shops that sell all the gear; it certainly doesn't have to be expensive to do beer kits and country wines, but using your own grapes takes skill and experience to get something better than a kit (or from the shops). There are lots of shops, but I have found the Hop Shop in Plymouth helpful Hop Shop :: Wine Making and Homebrew Kits - Hop Shop UK
Best of luck!

[Lez]

hello, I have made my own wine for a while. I go for country wines that are made from elderflowers and blackberrie etc. you can pick up demi johns fairly ceap at boot sales and if you pay more than a quid they are expensive. check out your free cycle someone maybe giving them away or even wine making kit free. you will need air locks with rubber bungs and the secret is everything must be sterile clean. I have a book called first steps in winemaking by cjj berry. a very good book for the beginner and has loads of recipes aswell. it covers all you need know good and bad points as it isn't just a case of bungung it in and letting it get on with it. good luck and go for it as it can be anothre very interesting and absorbing side of our gardening hobby.

[Powerscape]

Originally Posted by johnny_boy

Hi all, i really want to have a go at making my own beer and wine, but i am a complete novice and i dont know where to start!!

Can anyone tell me what equipment i would need for beer and wine and how much this stuff will normally cost?

Also any simple beer or wine recipe's that i can try to start me off (hopefully not to complicated).

Keep hearing about beer making kits...but are they any good or is it best to do it yourself from scratch?

Thanks

John

Hi John

I noticed you are in shropshire and so is this shop which I have purchased online with before and they would be well worth a visit.

23 Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire,SY3 7LN

In addition to that I would agree country wines are great for starting off with, something that is good to try near the end of may is oak leaf wine.

Cheers
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