RICARDO N0 14 WOODFORDE'S WHERRY 3KG 4.5% 28/03/2015

 RICARDO N0 14 WOODFORDE'S WHERRY 3KG 4.5% 28/03/2015

There is always a tale . I got a new barrel , everything went  well . I primed it in exactly the same way gave it an injection of Co2 to get rid of any air and left it for the 3 days in the airing cupboard. After its first night I got up to make a brew as normal and I could smell beer . It had started leaking from the tap . Reason : It needed tightening as soon as I tightened it the leak stopped . Unfortunately it had been dripping all night I lost over 1 ltr and it had leaked through to the ceiling down stairs leaving a large stain . Oops  . Now repainted and the beer is in the garage maturing . score to follow brew again to follow . 

 The leak was my fault . I had not checked if the tap was tight after buying from the shop . Hassle with the leak as it did make a mess but the beer was excellent a lovely colour and a distinctive taste not too bitter and not too hoppy . Score 8.5 out of ten . Brew again . yes!

RICARDO N0 13 WOODFORDE'S SUNDEW 3KG 4.2% 17/03/2015

RICARDO N0 13 WOODFORDE'S SUNDEW 3KG 4.2% 17/03/2015

Woodforde's Nog had so far been my best brew by far . On a trip to Norwich I had also visited the brewery with pub attached so I had a connection . A decision was made . I would try all Woodforde's Ales, I would invest in 4 x barrels and I would leave my brew's to mature . I think my expectation's had risen , I was looking for quality beer and I was willing to pay a bit more for it and I was willing to  wait longer for it . The last few brews I had lost my way and I needed to get back on track . The fermentation went well with this brew and after 3 weeks in the barrel I tasted it to find it tasted and smelt fine but it was flat . Something had gone wrong with the priming . I had mixed 120gm of priming sugar with just over half a pint of boiling water added it to the fermentation bucket , given it a stir and them transferred it to the barrel. I then left it in a warm place for 3 days before transferring it to somewhere cooler for maturing . In my case this was the garage, though in winter I will use the kitchen . This was the same procedure I had used with Ricardo N0 9 and it worked fine , a beautiful head and I only used the Co2 cartridges when it was half empty  to liven it up. Something had gone wrong . I was told to re-prime it leaving it in the warm for a couple of days . On removing the cap I noticed the washer was damaged . Could this have made it flat ? I replaced the washer and returned it to the garage after 3 days  . Despite the re -priming the beer remained flat but tasted fine . I do not 100% know the reason , was it the washer or did I transfer it to the garage to soon and was the garage too cold. Trial and error I think . score 6 out of 10 . brew again yes. need to get it right .

Lighter in colour than the Wherry but nice to drink . It was flat but  I already have another brew on so I will update later .Don't really know what went wrong but I am going to change the seals on this barrel just in case .