Back to basics to save you some money... (From Knutsford Guardian)

Back to basics to save you some money...

2:50pm Monday 8th February 2010

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MAKING my own wine has never been something I thought that I would do, but that all changed this weekend when I got to work – armed with a five litre plastic demijohn, a fermentation airlock, thermometer and various other bits of equipment.

Phil Smith, owner of brew2bottle, which has a stall in Northwich Indoor Market, got me going with the starter pack and a seven-day wine kit.

He even let me sample some wine – which was surprisingly very tasty.

My aim is to find out, not only if I am able to make my own wine, but also if it is cheaper than nipping to the local supermarket.

Home brewing’s popularity peaked back in the 70s and 80s, before becoming relatively unheard of.

My dad enjoyed a bit of home brewing back in the early 80s – until my mum got sick of the airing cupboard being full of plastic barrels of beer – and then he, like many people, lost interest.

But Phil, 48, told me the recession has renewed interest in home brewing, with more people trying to save a bit of cash by making their own drink at home.

I was surprised at how easy it was. Once I’d sterilised all of the equipment, I simply followed the instructions.

I added the concentrate to the sugar, filled the container to the 4.6 litre mark with cold water, and then added yeast and yeast nutrient to get the fermentation process going before fitting a bung and an airlock.

Now all I have to do is wait a week before sampling my first home brew!

Find out whether I succeeded in next week’s paper.

Do you make your own beer and wine? Have you got any stories or recipes to share? If so, get in touch on 01606813620 or email jessica.bell@messengergrp.co.uk.

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