During my 48 hour boat-break pass last weekend, Barry put a home-brew beer batch together. I grasped the opportunity to capture the process for posterity – and of course for this blog, The Home Brew Boat blog, and our Facebook page.

Experimenting with a new beer brewing method

Barry decided to try out Captain Ahab’s method. This involves commencing the brew in a sterilised bucket, then transferring into the pressure barrel half way through fermentation to complete the process and carbonate the beer at the same time. The brew is a ‘Bulldog Brew’ Triple Tykes, described as “Smooth, strong, malty with fruity notes and hints of vanilla and toast. Perfect balance between body and bitterness with a clean finish.” 

Barry with his kit ready. Note the bucket was last used to make a batch of 5 day Rosé wine, it’s multi-functional once you have one!

Step one – pour in the mixture …

The consistency you’ll see is rather black-treacle-like

Next, the water – it needs to be a certain temperature when it’s all added …

So Barry’s giving it a stir and checking with the thermometer …

Next up is the yeast – a vital component!

Mix it up and make it nice …

Last step for this part of the process, lid on and add boiled water to the airlock, now wait 5 days before transferring …

I’ll let Barry inform you how tasty the beer is once completed – I’m more a wine and cider person.

Meeting with fellow kiwi brewers and bloggers!

We were thankful I’d not left on Monday morning (which almost happened, dad wasn’t too good), as Barry would’ve left Great Haywood and travelled up to Stone for a delivery. Had that happened we’d have missed the opportunity to meet up with Andrew and his lovely wife Michelle from narrowboat Ashdown, who dropped in for a taste of strawberry cider. Andrew has purchased a kit from The Home Brew Boat and is loving making his own.

Andrew and Michelle previously lived in Christchurch, and moved to UK a couple of years ago. Andrew is originally from UK, Michelle from South Africa, and fortuitously gained her British passport five years after being married to Andrew. Oh those were the days! If only it was that simple now for Barry, though I can totally appreciate that the system may’ve been abused by some unscrupulous people at that time.

Michelle is an amazingly talented photographer, so do visit their blog and check some out.

Cheers!

Our next trading event

Tomorrow I’m heading back to the boat for a few days, and we’ll be trading at the Etruria Canal Festival in Stoke-on-Trent. Do come and see us if you’re anywhere nearby. We can’t promise to be able to chat during busy times, but we’ll do our utmost to be friendly and helpful!

We’d love to hear how you’re getting along with any home brewing you may be undertaking, or if you have any queries comment below or contact Barry at barry@thehomebrewboat.co.uk