The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Food & crafts => Home brewing => Topic started by: vfr400boy on June 02, 2017, 10:08:56 pm

Title: Elder flower champagne
Post by: vfr400boy on June 02, 2017, 10:08:56 pm
Just made my first batch any one else got any on the go ?
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: PipSqueak on June 02, 2017, 10:30:04 pm
I put two gallons on today :-D
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: vfr400boy on June 02, 2017, 10:34:04 pm
Let me know how you get on , might pick some more tomorrow and try without adding yeast
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: Terry T on June 02, 2017, 11:44:23 pm
Planning on trying this for the first time over the weekend. is it worth adding yeast and can it be stored?
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: vfr400boy on June 03, 2017, 07:38:43 am
It can be stored in the fridge or some were cold as it can explode, I left some in my shed and sounded like a shot gun going off
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: PipSqueak on June 03, 2017, 10:03:54 am
I have never had any joy relying on natural yeast, so I pop a pinch of whatever yeast I have to hand into each bottle.  I have used both champagne yeadt and bread yeast and couldn't tell the difference.  I use plastic pop bottles, then crack the lids slightly if I have to leave them for a while so any excess pressure just seeps out and there is no danger of explosions.
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: doganjo on June 03, 2017, 10:10:22 am
We tried it once - had it in the garage.  We went away for the day in summer - came back to 20 smashed bottles and a wet floor, just as well we took the car lol
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: PipSqueak on June 03, 2017, 11:35:19 am
We tried it once - had it in the garage.  We went away for the day in summer - came back to 20 smashed bottles and a wet floor, just as well we took the car lol

Always use plastic bottles; it is much safer!  And if you loosen the tops slightly excess pressure can escape - we have safely left them a whole weekend using this method.
Title: Re: Elder flower champagne
Post by: doganjo on June 03, 2017, 03:58:15 pm
Yes well I know that now, but my late husband was just a very enbthusiastic novice wine maker at the  time. :eyelashes: