Update: Geordie Mild

I know I should have put this in the barrel yesterday but the day ended up being too full with being hungover and playing boardgames (the crazy Tomb) so I thought I'd do it today.  Unfortunately I hadn't banked on this being the first day of term and therefor I am shattered so may not bother.  I'm just sterilising the sample jar and hydro ready to test it.  If it's the same again tomorrow, in the barrel it'll go (really can't be bothered with bottling any after the nightmare that was last time...)

Update: Geordie Mild

Just tested the mild and it's down to 1.014 from a start of 1.038 (I think).  That's not bad but I think it's still got a ways to go (still tasting quite sweet).  Will test it again Wednesday with an eye to putting it in a barrel next Sunday.

Brewing: Geordie Mild

Not wanting to let the infection-appendix disaster of 2010 put me off, I have jumped straight into making a new brew.  The only kit I had knocking about was a can Geordie Mild, which is a budget kit so I made it up with 1kg of medium spraymalt.  It all went without a hitch (as far as I can tell so far), and I deliberately made it in a different fermenting bin, to avoid cross contamination.

OG came out at 1.036, which is a bit low (suppose that suits a mild) but perfectly respectable nonetheless.

Update: Brewer's Choice Old Ale

So I've come back to my house after convalescing at my parents' place for a couple of weeks after the operation.  This means I've finally been able to check up on the Old Ale.  I wasn't too hopeful when I smelled vinegar after opening the fermenting bin.  I was even less hopeful when I saw a whiteish film on top of the beer.  Not to be put off, I took a sample and checked the SG (down to 1.010, which is good).  Just to make sure all was definitely lost I took a swig from the sample jar.  Disgusting vinegar taste.  Disaster!

Oh well, I'll tip it down the drain and start the next brew (Geordie Mild).

On a more positive side, I brought the Wherry in from the shed and have drawn off a bit to see what it looks/tastes like.  Pretty happy with it (it's a bit cloudy but I think that's just a chill haze).