[Melias farm]

I have absolutely no clue where to start learning how to do this.
Where would be good for him to start learning please

[Steph Hen]

There’s loads of brewing type things he can do without getting boozed up at eleven.
Make kefir, kombucha, saurcrat?

As for booze, press fruit (apples?) look online for supplies like demijohns, air traps, siphoning pipe and yeast and follow instructions. I would recommend he writes down his process and materials as it’s a good practice for helping avoid mistakes or recreate batches that worked.

Ive bought bits from here before
https://www.home-brew-online.com/
I feel you’re better to start with mashing fruit than a bag of fruit juice or powder as it feels a bit more real , though it’s the wrong time of year for fruit.

[Womble]

How about ginger beer?

My Mum used to be a brownie leader, and we made ginger beer one year for the brownie coffee morning. The memory of several tipsy brownies trying to serve tea and cakes to OAPs still makes me smile!

[Womble]

Also, whereabouts are you @Melias farm? I'm sure there will be people nearby who would show him the ropes. There are also quite a few good homebrew facebook groups.

[Melias farm]

Also, whereabouts are you @Melias farm? I'm sure there will be people nearby who would show him the ropes. There are also quite a few good homebrew facebook groups.

I’m in Hastings. He’s wanting to make everything atm. He’s looking at fruit wines as well later on.
His sister has complex rare allergies so he’s been looking at the crap that’s in our food. He’s on the same page as I am about getting back to as natural and basic as possible

[Melias farm]

Thank you all. I’ve shown him the links. He’s going to start reading and learning about it all. He wants to do a lot of research for a few months before he starts making.
He’s also doing pigs himself and ducks this year. As well as learning to keep bees himself. He’s a busy boy 😊

[Backinwellies]

I would suggest starting with cider .... dont have to add anything to get it to ferment if you use mixed apples

[Anke]

I am not sure why nobody has so far stated the obvious.... if you as the parent of an 11 yo purchase brewing equipment for him you are breaking the law....


How can anybody even suggest that he starts with cider?!!!!

[Womble]

Exactly.

Everybody knows you should start with Poitín 

(In my defense, I did suggest ginger beer to begin with, which is at least not very alcofrolic. Rhubarb 'champagne' works well also, and is not very strong.)

if you as the parent of an 11 yo purchase brewing equipment for him you are breaking the law....

Is that actually true BTW?

Soooo, non-alcoholic options then?  How about elderflower cordial? I also made a blackcurrant cordial once, which was really good. It had a hell of a lot of sugar in it though!

[Anke]

if you as the parent of an 11 yo purchase brewing equipment for him you are breaking the law....

Is that actually true BTW?

Yes. Same as cigarettes, if you buy with the intention to supply a minor you are breaking the law. And posting on a public forum specifically for an 11 yo....

[Backinwellies]

if you as the parent of an 11 yo purchase brewing equipment for him you are breaking the law....

Is that actually true BTW?

Yes. Same as cigarettes, if you buy with the intention to supply a minor you are breaking the law. And posting on a public forum specifically for an 11 yo....

my google search says ...
In the UK, there is no law that prevents minors from purchasing home brewing equipment or kits. Having said that, most large UK retailers will not knowingly sell these products to those under the age of 18.

There have been numerous threads on UK homebrewing forums reporting that major chains such as Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury’s all refuse the sale of beer kits to children even if they were to be used as Christmas gifts, for example.

[Womble]

From DrinkAware UK:

It is not illegal: For a child aged five to 16 to drink alcohol at home or on other private premises. This does not mean it is recommended. We strongly advise an alcohol-free childhood, as recommended by the Chief Medical Officers.

So if it's not illegal for him to drink at home (presumably under parental supervision, though that doesn't actually say?), it presumably must be legal for him to brew it himself.

Illegalities aside, I would be encouraging a different hobby at that age though. Does he like jam?!?

[Anke]

It is illegal in the UK for an adult to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone under 18 - end of story.


Please check the Government website.


Alcohol and young people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)


Sorry to be pedantic about this, I don't care if parents buy some stuff for their teenagers to take to end-of-school parties, I guess we all did it, but an 11 year old? They may still be in primary school....

[SamQuilting]

I would suggest starting with cider ...

I agree: making cider is a great introduction to explain the fermentation process. And there is nothing simpler. All should be done under adult supervision of course 
My husband has made some in the past and is now regularly home brewing (including ginger beer, I mean real beer with ginger roots).

[doganjo]

It is illegal in the UK for an adult to purchase alcohol on behalf of someone under 18 - end of story.


Please check the Government website.


Alcohol and young people - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)


Sorry to be pedantic about this, I don't care if parents buy some stuff for their teenagers to take to end-of-school parties, I guess we all did it, but an 11 year old? They may still be in primary school....

Not completely correct, @Anke

Copied and pasted from the first page of that weblink

If you’re under 18, it’s against the law:

1. for someone to sell you alcohol
2. to buy or try to buy alcohol
3. for an adult to buy or try to buy alcohol for you
4. to drink alcohol in licensed premises (such as a pub or restaurant)

However, if you’re 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.

If you’re 16 or under, you may be able to go to a pub (or premises primarily used to sell alcohol) if you’re accompanied by an adult. However, this isn’t always the case. It can also depend on the specific conditions for that premises.

It’s illegal to give alcohol to children under 5.


However, I agree, it would be unwise and irresponsible to allow an 11 year old to brew an alcoholic substance.

There are plenty of other things in science that he can safely play with and wine and beer are not two of them

JMHO as a mum and grannie