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And the embodiment of natural selection in first year chemistry labs! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

See?! I [i:24rf0m3w]told [/i:24rf0m3w]you the potential to poison myself was overwhelming.
<stops dailing Grape N Grain>

You got this far, I am sure the beer gods have a much better fate in store for you!

Really, the worst thing that can happen to you, is that you will make nasty beer and end up throwing it out (or drink it anyway, out of stubbornness, as I have done) and we can guide you around the major pitfalls, so that doesn't happen.

I have never head of anyone making themselves ill from home brew. It really is as safe as houses. The horror stories you hear about people going blind, etc. are from idiots running a still without knowing what they are doing. Distillation can be dangerous. Fermentation is not.

If you don't want to use bleach, you can get powdered home-brew sanitisers, which are food grade disinfectants. That is the only chemical you need to use and you probably already use harsher stuff, in your own home, all the time.

Séan

Thanks Seán.

And thanks everyone else for the welcomes.

I'll keep an an eye on what yiz are doing, and if I do succumb to zymurgological temptation I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Worts and all.

Welcome Beernut! I have had a look at your blog and I am impressed. The library must pay you well to subsidise all that travel! Seriously, it sounds that we share similar interests; good beer (obviously) and beer travel. Maybe you should add to our travel articles here on the site. It would be great if we could have a quick reference guide to beer destinations. I am off to Paris on the 18th for a few days. Any pointers? Any places with decent beer that won't cost €8 a go?
John