3175darren 1,093 Posted May 23, 2017 Report Share Posted May 23, 2017 still got two bottles from last year in the fridge do you think theyll still be drinkable?drink them and find out, bet they will be fine just vintage, smoother tasting, Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vfr400boy 3,120 Posted June 2, 2017 Report Share Posted June 2, 2017 Just made some to your recipe random , any one else got some brewing? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squeamish5 309 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 I only did mine on Sunday. I didn't add yeast. It's not doing anything interesting yet. I'm giving another day, then will prob add the yeast. How will I know if it's fermenting? Bubbles on surface? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nik_B 3,790 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 What does "Pitch the yeast or, if you like a bit of excitement, don't." mean? We have an Elderberry tree outside Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squeamish5 309 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 It's misleading. I didn't add the yeast and nothing exciting has happened so far.... From what I gather, there are natural yeasts on the flowers, so they should ferment without needing to add extra yeast. Have you made cordial with your elderflowers? Easy for kids to make too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nik_B 3,790 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 It's misleading. I didn't add the yeast and nothing exciting has happened so far.... From what I gather, there are natural yeasts on the flowers, so they should ferment without needing to add extra yeast. Have you made cordial with your elderflowers? Easy for kids to make too. I only found out I had the tree last week and I am battling my way through cutting everything back, in fact we might have two but another hollybush has to go before I can get back there. That sounds like a nice idea my daughter would love to have a go at something like that. How do you know when the flowers are ready to be picked? So pinch meant left out? I definitely don't want exploding bottles I have learned my lesson with glass wounds they're horrendous. Thanks for the reply Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squeamish5 309 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 It's misleading. I didn't add the yeast and nothing exciting has happened so far.... From what I gather, there are natural yeasts on the flowers, so they should ferment without needing to add extra yeast. Have you made cordial with your elderflowers? Easy for kids to make too. I only found out I had the tree last week and I am battling my way through cutting everything back, in fact we might have two but another hollybush has to go before I can get back there. That sounds like a nice idea my daughter would love to have a go at something like that. How do you know when the flowers are ready to be picked? So pinch meant left out? I definitely don't want exploding bottles I have learned my lesson with glass wounds they're horrendous. Thanks for the reply Ah! I read 'pitch the yeast' as 'chuck it in' whereas I think you're right... it means 'chuck it away'. That makes more sense, given my results so far. (I know nothing about fermenting/ wine making; never tried it before). Re cordial: I use 10 flower heads: 1 pt water; 1 lb sugar; 1 lemon. (If making bigger batches I use 2:1 lemons:oranges) Pour pint boiling water over sugar, stir to dissolve. Cool down to hot-warm. Add sliced lemon and flowers. Leave covered for 24-48 hours. Strain. Keep in fridge or freeze half in plastic bottle. Dilute to taste. (Also nice added to gooseberry fool). You can add citric acid, or campden tablet, as preservative if you make lots. Flowers are ready if they're open and smell good on a warm morning. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nik_B 3,790 Posted June 7, 2017 Report Share Posted June 7, 2017 Yeh I think it does mean throw away Thats for the advice we are definitely going to try this! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vfr400boy 3,120 Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 I all ways add yeast never had no success with out min started bubbling 2 days after been made going to bottle it off on Saturday Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squeamish5 309 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 So I'm on day 6. No yeast. It's in a fermentation bucket with lid. Lid shows signs of something going on i.e. gone convex (Not alarmingly) and can see little bubbles at top through bucket. Should I release pressure a bit? Or just let the contents expand inside? Seriously no idea what I'm supposed to be doing here. Should I be releasing pressure, or is the pressure what makes it fizz? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nik_B 3,790 Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 So I'm on day 6. No yeast. It's in a fermentation bucket with lid. Lid shows signs of something going on i.e. gone convex (Not alarmingly) and can see little bubbles at top through bucket. Should I release pressure a bit? Or just let the contents expand inside? Seriously no idea what I'm supposed to be doing here. Should I be releasing pressure, or is the pressure what makes it fizz? I have no idea but I will be checking back in a few days to see if you get some kind of explosion lol I'm going to start ours soon, I just realised I've got a fermenting bucket in the garage, I can't wait. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vfr400boy 3,120 Posted June 11, 2017 Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 I hAve an air lock on my bucket you can get a pack of 2 from wilko for about £2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squeamish5 309 Posted June 11, 2017 Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 I hAve an air lock on my bucket you can get a pack of 2 from wilko for about £2 Thanks for the info. But... Thing is I'm simply trying this out this year and I use these buckets for fruit vodkas/ gins usually. You said yours was bubbling from day 2. I only faintly remember 'fermentation process' from o level chemistry. Should I be releasing pressure or not? (I'd vaguely planned to do a second batch using yeast from the off, to compare, although we're past mid point for flower season here.) If I take the lid off to have a look and a taste, will I be ruining what I've got so far? 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vfr400boy 3,120 Posted June 11, 2017 Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 I don't think so as my air lock let's the pressure out and I open mine and taste it so I think you will be fine Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Squeamish5 309 Posted June 11, 2017 Report Share Posted June 11, 2017 I don't think so as my air lock let's the pressure out and I open mine and taste it so I think you will be fine Ok. Just did that. Stirred it round with a ladle, had a taste. Delish, strongly floral, and a bit fizzy, although quite viscous/soapy consistency. Is something going dreadfully wrong, or is this normal? (And huge thanks for feedback) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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