With my current brew 'Way to Amarillo' bottled and having 12 or so bottles left my thought is now going to my next batch. 

The weathers dark, dank and miserably....Spring has no sign of coming around soon (even in Home Brew terms), my idea of brewing a Spring ale has been put on hold until a few months time. 

I then got thinking/a craving for Hobgoblin, one of my favourite beers. Its perfect for this time of year.

After a few afternoons & quieter periods at work! I found an Extract clone of HobGoblin by the Home Brewer Orfy.  This was dated back a few years, however it has been well tried and tested by many and recently too. 

I also thought that before I did a brew completely from scratch it probably was a wise idea to get a feel for Steeping Grains with a recipe that has got so many good comments back from it. Saying its very close to the commercial HobGoblin. 

Until next time.......Happy Brewing

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When I first started brewing I bought 2 boxes of swing top bottles from the The Range they were £9 for 12 500ml bottles, good value! Although they wont last forever they are a great style of bottle that allows the beer to carbonate very well. I love the sound they make when they open. 

Over time I've boasted my individual bottles from either the odd supermarket bought bottle or from a BBQ or house party and helped with the 'recycling' by taking a few empties home with me.  

Now I have enough bottles to probably do a complete batch in bottles if I wish (or do 3/4 bottles and 1 TAD, so I have some leftover bottles for a batch sooner than waiting another month. 

I've basically found that there's certain types of bottles that wont cap well due to the neck being a bit more dumpy, so my hand capper can't fully grip on the bottle. These I've found are Kopparberg, Wychwood and Badger bottles, some bottles like the Proper Job or 660ML Punk IPA bottles have either the label on a piece of plastic then glued onto the bottle (which stinks and leaves the bottle very sticky if you do try to remove it). Which I then have had to recycle for real. 

Really easy bottles to reuse I've found Budweiser, Rekorderlig or the standard ale bottles that you usually get in the 3 for £5 deals at the supermarket. These labels generally just soak of after some time in hot soapy water, you'll then just have to lightly scrub off any label stickiness that is left.

It's nice to have a mix of swing/flip top, standard capped bottles (that look good if you are giving them away for presents) and a larger dispensing system.

Until next time........Happy Brewing. 

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With 2015 finally over and the New Year goals fresh on our to do lists, what are your brewing goals for this year? Are you a seasonal brewer or do you brew what you feel like?

I would say I fall under the spur of the moment brewer, to a point, although until now I haven't had much flexibility in brews so it really just has been picking what kit I liked the sound of at the time of ordering. 

Now though I have much more choice and variety of what I can do. Maybe this year I'll do a Rhubarb Saison or a Pumpkin Ale?? 

I've never really been a Stout or Porter drinker; I have the odd bottle/pint of Guinness/Chocolate porter/Double IPA/Innis & Gunn that would warrant being seasonal but I'd much prefer something refreshing & flavourful anytime of the year like a Proper Job or Punk IPA.

With the seasons seemingly shifting right, the coldest weather still hasn't hit, I may have to retract my statement and want a darker heavier beer by then, but by the time its fully brewed the first of Spring flowers probably will be appearing. If I have any of these urges, then that is what these commercial supermarket beers are for - the odd one or two to satisfy - it’s always good to boost the bottle tally for my next home brew too. 

Until next time...........Happy Brewing!

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