poppin out everywhere.

Is it time to pick them,GK ?

A bit early for me, still closed buds up this end.

Id wait for the flowers to be fully open, thats all on each stem. Ive read the younger the better but avoid bunches with closed flowers, and cut away as much of the green stems as possible. Pick on a dry warm day.

Coincidently, I bought 2ltrs of pressed white grape juice this morning to add to each gallon. Tesco have an offer on juices at the mo, 3for2, got my grape juice for free. The juice adds a little body to the fizz.

Exciting isnt it?

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Yep, Im still here.

Will get some grape juice and wait till the weekend before picking.

As for exciting, Mrs G suggested that I spend the next few nights in the lanes nearby guarding the elderflower so no other bugger comes along and picks it.

I think she was joking.

But it's not a bad idea

No fear, give it another few weeks and they'll be plenty around to pick from.

Use the next week or so to get your stuff together, sugar, juice, lemons. Some recipes suggest you use white wine vinegar, dont use it if you are adding grape juice.

What are you bottling it in? I use the 1ltr PETS like this, all the supermarkets have their own brand versions, you'll get 4ltrs out of a gallon batch with a bit to spare.

I suggest we all have a go. Everyone up for it?

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Yep, Im still here.

I will try and find some elderflowers.

That reminds me, GK, how did you get on with your kit beer?

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tribs

Grolsch bottles are much nicer, and you can relieve the pressure and snap back the metal lever if you believe the secondary fermentation is too vigorous. Don't peer at the top and stand directly over them, unless you're wearing a snorkel and face mask


These bottles come in different sizes, 50cl up to 2 litres. The best way to acquire these would be to phone up a very trendy club owner in Cardiff, or whatever, and then ask them to put them aside for you for collection.

Enjoy.

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Duncan

Super, I still have around 30 pints left in 1ltr bottles, its clearing nicely and the taste is full on real ale, possibly even a bit rich for me so I will probably try the Wherry next. As good as anything I can buy with the exception of those rare beers that really hit the spot.

It will be interesting to see how it develops over a year or so. Do you manage to keep any around for long?

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Yep, Im still here.

I have some knocking about that I made in 2005

A bit past it now though, I expect

The kit beers will last over a year, but probably will not improve much after 6-9 months.

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tribs

I have some elderberry wine from 2004, the last bottle I opened tasted like a tart port, not great.

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Yep, Im still here.

I have been saving screwcapped wine bottles . Will these do ?

I also have some smaller Bottle Green elderflower cordial bottles.

No, you need bottles that have been designed to hold carbonated liquids.

Otherwise

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tribs

Using the glass bottles, screw-capped or not, is dangerous. They are not designed for pressure, once you prime the juice for a secondary fermentation in bottle (necessary to get the fizz) the pressure will build as the CO2 disolves.

You will have a batch of live hand-grenades around the house. Even if they only explode when nobody is around they still make one hell of a mess.

Use the plastic PET bottles, they are made for fizzy tonic water, mixers etc.

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Yep, Im still here.

Ooh err.

I will see what the local rugby club has. It's only across the field. I spend enough there.

Couldn't resist. Got myself a free afternoon and have just made a batch. I found a shrub with all heads white and facing the sun.

Will make another batch ina couple of weeks.

Used 2l lemonade bottles

That was quick, the batch had fermented dry in the bucket and you have moved it to the bottles for priming?

The only problem with 2ltr bottles is it all has to be drunk within a day or two of opening.

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Yep, Im still here.