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 .

RICARDO N0 12 FESTIVAL PREMIUM ALE PRIDE OF LONDON PORTER 3.6 KG 27/01/2015

  RICARDO N0 12 FESTIVAL PREMIUM ALE PRIDE OF LONDON PORTER  3.6 KG 27/01/2015

I didn't buy 1 Festival Ale I got 2 . I chose this as my Wife had been asking for a Chocolate beer and this was Chocolate and Coffee . It sounded delicious . Again I bottled it rather than using the keg . Again I drank it too early . I preferred it to Ricardo N0 11 but I struggled to get a flavor of either Chocolate or Coffee. I think I should have left it longer . I was now in a position were my last three brews were disappointing . I had to do better . I must leave them longer a minimum of 4 weeks in a bottle and 6 weeks in a keg . This would mean a period of bought beer . My beer had to improve . Score 6 out of 10 , brew again I will give it another go .

RICARDO N0 11 FESTIVAL PREMIUM ALE RAZORBACK IPA 3.6 KG 01/012015

 RICARDO N0 11 FESTIVAL PREMIUM ALE RAZORBACK IPA  3.6 KG 01/012015 

After the disappointment of Ricardo N0 10 I was desperate for success . I decided against Lager and wanted to get back to the quality of Ricardo N0 9 . I asked the shop owner for a recommendation and he suggested the Festival Ale kits . I wanted to try Woodforde's but  I took his advice and bought the Razorback IPA . It was  expensive but came with the sugar and extra hops included .I decided to bottle this even though I had a keg. In the end it was disappointing.  For a start it was a little too strong for me, also I drank it too quick . score 5 out of 10, brew again no 5% is plenty for me .

RICARDO NO 10 TOM CAXTON LAGER 1.8KG WITH EXTRA HOPS 31/08/2014

RICARDO NO 10 TOM CAXTON LAGER 1.8KG WITH EXTRA HOPS   31/08/2014

I lost my way with this brew . I was still looking for a great Lager and was recommended using the Tom Caxton Lager plus hops and using 250g clear honey and 1kg of sugar , adding the honey first and the sugar 4 days later . On adding the sugar fermentation seemed to stop or really slow down , I was advised to use more yeast which I did . I also  used my hydrometer for the first time but wasn't happy with the readings. I eventually bottled the brew after about 3 weeks and it was far from satisfactory. score 4 out of 10 brew again, back to the drawing board .   

RICARDO NO 9 WOODFORDE'S NOG 3KG 01/07/2014

RICARDO NO 9 WOODFORDE'S NOG 3KG 01/07/2014 

This is the brew that changed everything . It was a 3kg brew hence double the malt , double the price and no sugar . It was also the first time I used a barrel . Prime as usual and then fill the barrel . It saves all that bottle washing and filling . I got the barrel with the gas injection cap . When filled leave in a warm place for a couple of days and then transfer to  room temperature . I also did a couple of bottles , hence the picture . I was amazed at the quality of this brew it was excellent and the barrel was so convenient . I used 2 to 3 CO2 cartridges to keep the beer lively and easy to pour . Score 9 out of 10 . Brew again yes .

WARNING !! I HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT A 2ND BARREL AND I FORGOT TO CHECK IF THE TAP WAS TIGHTENED PROPERLY . IT WASN'T  AND A SMALL DRIP DEVELOPED . I LOST ABOUT 1 LITRE AND IT STAINED THE DOWNSTAIRS CEILING WHICH WILL NEED REPAINTING .

RICARDO NO 8 GEORDIE LAGER 1.5KG 01/06/2014

RICARDO NO 8 GEORDIE LAGER 1.5KG 01/06/2014

I have now come to the end of my first experience of home brewing . After this brew I moved on . The conclusions reached were I prefer real ales to lagers . Geordie brews  were my favorite so far , and bottling is a pain in the arse . This was a very good lager . score 7.5 out of 10 . Brew again Yes .