Brewing

Have you ever made Ginger Beer? Finding an old fashioned Ginger Beer Plant today seems an impossible task but as I searched for someone who could provide me with an authentic yeast I found something very new. Home Brewing Caps.  

Gone are the days of pfaffing around making gallons of brew at a time. Now all you need is a plastic bottle, a little cap and your favourite tipple is made in minutes.  Three days later the result is delicious! 

A two litre water bottle doesn't even have to be washed out!  My first try was a rather large chunk of root ginger, I like it fiery, one lemon, pith and all,  and half a cup of sugar. Popped the lot in the liquidiser and whizzed it all up. After tipping the lot into a plastic bottle, fill almost to the top with water and after quick shake to mix it up I added a quarter of a teaspoon of sparkling wine yeast and put the clever little cap on.  That's it.  Keep at room temperature for 72 hours, strain and rebottle.  Stick it in the fridge to stop it fermenting and it's ready to fill your glass. 

This morning I started again.  In less than half an hour I've made Ginger Beer, Ginger and Orange Beer and a trip out of the back door provided me with the nettle tips that are infusing in the pan to make Nettle Beer... I'll let you know about that in a few days.  My grape vine hasn't enough fruit to warrant buying fermenting bins, demijohns and grape presses but I can see a way now to make a few litres of wine without any fuss.
The little caps are an incredibly simple but cunning invention. I stumbled on them by accident and though I was probably being a mug to buy them but,  they are excellent.  

It may be that this summer will be little bit tipsy!