New members welcome

We need more members on this exchange. It's a great idea, but to fully experience the wider range of beers, we need new blood.

If anyone regularly posts on other forums, then its up to you to spread the good word.

Keep the faith.

Hello SD, I,m in !

Welcome aboard. The exchange is a great way of getting to try other peoples beer and to get inspired, taste different styles and to get feedback on your own beer. All part of the learning process

Hi PG, It sounds like a hoot. Hopefully I will be Brewing another AG beer this weekend. Will give an update on my progress, This brewing epidemic is contagious but I'm prepared to suffer for my art!

Welcome along Happy Jack.

All aboard, now for some swappsies.

Hello chums, thus far I'm only making kits and I doubt there's going to be a lot going in the post but it's good to have a look around and see what people are doing.

Which is the point of writing - I have seen a lot of chaps here on the Brew It Yourself forum, I've learnt a lot there and I find the posts can be really interesting... is that the most lively, useful forum to read - or are there others you think worth signing up to?

I think the BIY one is the friendliest and most helpful one without some of the ego's from other forums.

Jims is good as a reference but I don't tend to post much on there.


THe Homebrew Forum is another good one to join.

Welcome long TLP, perhaps we can do some wine swaps as well as beer swaps? I know you do similar wine kit ranges as I do. I have had some bottles from I'lltryit but the duty and vat charges I had to pay made it too expensive to do again.
I'm fermenting a Selection White Merlot at the moment.

Hi Nunfa, that's a good idea - I've looked at several of the wines and thought I'd like to try before I invest time and money (my first, a Barolo wasn't a good experience - simply because I'd forgotten it was a style I'm not fond of).

The only ones I've got drinking at the moment are a Vieux Ch du Roi (which I think is the best red I've made), I've got some Pinot Grigio that's been in the bottle 7 months, the Original Sauv Blanc and I think I have 2 bottles of Alsace Reisling (bt Sept '09) - beware that last one though, it's a beautifully complex wine but 'off dry', I don't know if it's my inexpert brewing or if its meant to be that way, I suspect a bit of both. If there was a wine I'd like an opinion on though, it is probably that last one.

Any tips on post & packing? I can't think I've got a box that would stand the rigours of our friends on red bicycles...

I've got a 3 month old Kenridge showcase Chilean Merlot. I don't add campden tablets to mine so you can have one of those to try if you like to see if they do afeect the taste early on. I know we've discussed that on BIY with I'lltryit before now.
As for packaging, I've never had a problem yet. I use plenty of bubble wrap and brown paper or cardboard.

As you guys are talking wine.... What does everyone think of the Cantina range? Any good? Can you really brew it on Monday and drink it on Friday?

I'm thinking of giving one a go, but at 20 odd litres, I like to keep the wastage to a minimum.

I've done 2 Cantina kits and they both took about 14 days in the end. The quality is ok when you look at the price, it's certainly not up there with the Kenridge and Selection but it's not supposed to be. As a quick stock filler or party wine they're ok.

Cheers for that mate.

I was led into a bad habit by my local homebrew shop - he persuaded me to try a Selection in my first foray into winemaking since the 70s. Pleased with the quality of the result I've not tried the others. Although that sounds a bit profligate it's the idea of all that washing up and waiting 6 months to find I'd brewed something I'd not fancy that keeps me spending at that end. I ought to try one just to see... It could save a lot of cash.

Hi Nunfa - yes that would be a good one for us to swap - it would give me an idea of Kenridge, which I've not tried. Which of mine do you fancy?

Ok TLP, I'll try the Reisling if you like. PM me your details and I'll get a bottle sent. The Kenridge Showcase is comparable with Selection in terms of cost per kit and grape juice supplied.