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Bog_Myrtle's article on the hows and why of small scale brewing is now online[/url:pw49kbhf].

(Apologies for the delay in publishing this, which was due to an editorial malfunction. The guilty parties have been served a cool, crisp pint of Harp.)

Excellent article. Something I did a few times when starting off, and must get back to doing again.

Good article Bog_Myrtle. It looks like a great way to experiment with recipes. As you say it doesn't really suit all grain brewing but there's nothing to stop grain brewers using this system with extract to experiment with hops, spices, yeast etc.

I think the hydrometer would fit in the demijohn when you have filled it with wort. If so you could sanitise it, drop it in and leave it there for the duration of the ferment.

I thought your wit recipe was interesting. I thought I read before that Windsor would suit wheat beers - how did you find it?

Thanks for the comments! That's a good idea about putting a hydrometer in with the brew. Only thing is it might get covered in foam so it might hard to read it.
I didn't really think it was a wit beer but maybe it is. I think this beer needed more time in the secondary because the yeast didn't settle out very well. I bottled it using some honey to prime it and it came out very fizzy which disturbed the yeast and so made it cloudy. It tasted lovely though.
I have a porter on at the moment which was done in a small batch also. I have plans for all sorts of mad experimental brews like nettle beer which isn't that hard to do.

Interesting article Bog Myrtle. Do you rack to a second demijohn or bottle straight from the first one used?

I want to make a really strong barley wine or Belgian style beer and this method would work well think I will give it a try

[quote:1d9zx232]If you’re like me and not strong it saves you lifting heavy pots full of hot wort![/quote:1d9zx232] <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt="" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: -->

I usually do all the lifting. Irish craft brewing forums may not be the ideal location for dirty washing.