North West Coast of Scotland on a misty day

[philmayfield 6,187]

I'm warming to the idea already!

[Compo 10,328]

Be warned.....I make my own beer! 

 

[PeverilPeril 3,288]

Save a drop for me compo  I hope to visit the area again before popping me clogs. I would like to fish loch Watten and the Brora again. 

[philmayfield 6,187]

Take your Morris dancing kit, and swell the numbers!

[Compo 10,328]

Currently have a barrel of IPA and a Barrel of bitter to drink.  The IPA will go on the hand pump over the weekend.  Also have a number of bottles of Nut Brown ale; Ginger Ale and Strong ale in the loft.  The cloudy and sparkling ciders are under the stairs. cloudy made from locally sourced and scrumped apples but the sparkling is made from Lidls apple juice.

[philmayfield 6,187]

I like the Lidl cider idea. All of my previous cider pressing efforts have been a disaster. My favourite shop, Lidl, fill a trolley and it's only about four pence at the checkout!

[BilboroughShirley 1,120]

Great photos Compo. Thanks. My dad loved touring Scotland in our Morris 1100. I remember going with my parents as a learner driver on the passing place roads. I loved it and dad taught me a lot back in 1968. We visited Cape Wrath. Great fun going over on the ferry and an exciting ride in the minibus. Dad never booked accommodation in advance. We found the "Far North Hotel" on the west coast, not far from Cape Wrath. An interesting place that looked as though it was a converted army base. Great memories. Thanks for reminding me of West Scotland.

http://www.visitcapewrath.com/

 

[LizzieM 9,514]

# 31   Phil, It surprises me that a man of your social standing would venture into a Lidl supermarket. Presume you put a paper bag over your head?!!

[philmayfield 6,187]

I do go the more upmarket one in Bingham on my way back from Waitrose.  I do take care not to be spotted but I have bumped into Bill Brazier's wife on a couple of occasions much to our mutual embarrassment!

[Compo 10,328]

20 hours ago, philmayfield said:

I like the Lidl cider idea. All of my previous cider pressing efforts have been a disaster. My favourite shop, Lidl, fill a trolley and it's only about four pence at the checkout!

 

Phil: To make cider from Lidls apple juice simply take the juice (Which is 100% apple) and put it in a food grade sterile plastic or stainless steel bin.  Add enough water to make the SG around 1040( If you want to make it less appley and more of it, add some cane sugar and more water) and pop some white wine yeast or specialist cider yeast in. Cover and wait until the SG becomes stable (Usually about 1005ish).  Put into sterile bottles with half a teaspoon of cane sugar in each and store for a couple of months. Alternatively, use a barrel and add 50g cane sugar to a 5 gall batch.  If you like a sweeter cider you can add a non-fermentable sugar such as Stevia.  This is just a basic recipe and can be improved upon with practice and patience. [Tip: Never use Beet Sugar - it leaves an aftertaste in the brew.]

[philmayfield 6,187]

Compo. Thanks, I've copied that and will sneak into Lidl under cover of darkness and buy some juice. I like my cider very dry. "Makes your arse come up to your armpits" is, I believe the correct technical description.

[FLY2 10,109]

Re # 35. Far too long winded Compo. Just add an equal quantity of vodka, one ice cube, one slice of lemon and hey ho ! Drink as required.