Hubble, bubble, boil and bottle

by Nicola Shepherd

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EVER thought of making your own wine and beer at home

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It is cheaper than buying the real thing, but the results can be variable, so it's best not to make price your motivation here.

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No, homebrewing and winemaking is done by those aficionados for the sheer pleasure of it.

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The utter joy of handling the paraphernalia, watching the little bubbles rise to the surface, lovingly guiding the siphon tube and then opening the first bottle with the sort of pride and tenderness�that only a new parent knows.

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Of course there is a�science to it, but it isn't the rocket sort.

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The process of�making beer at home, whether you�use a kit or really�start from scratch, are much the same;

• clean and sterilise your equipment

• add grain to water and boil

• add malt and hops

• boil more

• cool and add yeast

• bottle after 7 - 14 days

The net is a fantastic place to�get your inspiration, and� there are loads of sites for beginners, but as always they are mostly American.

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One that isn't American and a�real source of inspiration is Dave's Brew It Yourself Page (http://users.zetnet.co.uk/dpickett). This home-brew obsessed Mancunian's enthusiasm for bubbling it yourself is infectious. No kits for him, he�does it all from scratch with ingeniously adapted equipment - his�mash tun is an Argos�cool box and his boiler an old vat of swimming pool cleaner.

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More sober is the www.scottishamateurwinemakers.co.uk for some really good advice about the basics of the winemaking process.

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If you like talking about wine you'll love learning about the effects of grape tannin powder; how much sugar you need to make alcohol; and where tartaric acid and yeast fertiliser come in.

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You can�make your own wine at home very easily, and after bottling it'll be drinkable in three to six months.

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There are lots of sites where you can buy all you need to get started. A good example is Paisano's Underground Home Brewing Supply www.undergrounddigital.com.�