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Home Brew News No. 5 28th February 2009
Welcome to our fifth newsletter Also, welcome all our new brewers who have come on board. It’s really good to see so many people getting back to basics and saving $$$$$$$$$ on making their own quality beers for around $10.00 per slab or their favourite spirits for about $6.00 per bottle. In our last newsletter we featured some of Edwards new products but as they had just arrived we didn’t have time to try them all. We are happy to report this month, the Kentucky Bourbon and Rum Liqueur are absolutely sensational. In particular the Kentucky Bourbon is a stand out performer and we think it is one of the best on the market. VSOP All essences in our range of brandy that were previously listed as Cognac have recently changed to VSOP. These essences are not made in the French town of Cognac, have no relationship with that town and therefore we are unable to use the name. Hops Shortage There is currently a world wide shortage of hops. Consequently, wholesale prices have drastically increased and this has also led to a rise in most packaged beers. We have good stocks at present and anticipate a review in July when our stocks are exhausted. Direct Deposit Option In addition to payment by credit card for on-line purchases, we have added a direct deposit option. At the checkout, select which method of payment you want then follow the prompts. For direct deposits you will need to write down or print the details on the screen and make the deposit through your bank as normal. Related Products Our on-line store has recently linked all products related to each other where there is no obvious choice or could be some confusion. The stand alone products have not been linked but we hope this helps finding the right product quicker and easier. Simply click on the product you are interested in, the photo and description will appear, then all related products will appear below it. New Fact Sheets Last month we added a Fact Sheets tab to our Home Page. We also posted 2 new Fact Sheets which provide some useful information on these important ingredients. Fact Sheet No.2 – Hops. Fact Sheet No.3 – Beer Yeasts. Recipes Last month we also upgraded our recipe section of the website and posted the following new items: Liqueur Recipes Liqueur Taste Test Samuel Willards Liqueur Base Recipes Oz Tops Recipe Please take the time to have a look and try something new. Also, if you have any recipes you would like to share, please let us know. Bacardi Rum Taste Test Last month, we conducted a blind taste test to determine the closest essence to the real Bacardi Rum. Four of our best selling white rum essences were compared against the Bacardi purchased from the local. The results were as follows: Winner: Edwards White Rum  Runner Up: Samuel Willards Gold Star White Rum. NB: Essencia White Rum was a very close Runner Up. Carbon Treatment Just a reminder that after distilling your spirit it must be watered down to 50% or less (40% recommended) then treated with activated carbon. This is not optional! This is the most important part of the spirit process as it removes the last of the TOXIC impurities. If you are not using a filter system get one or at the very least soak some carbon in your spirit for a week, then filter with a coffee filter. (Use 25g per litre spirit @ 40%). Samuel Willards Soakers To add a real authentic flavour to your spirits, try using Samuel Willards Oak soakers in your next batch.  They are available in Rum, Whisky and Bourbon. Simply soak the oak in spirit for a week before adding the essence. Workshops Later this year we will be conducting beer making workshops. If you would like more information, please also contact us. Other Brewing News - People Power This article appeared in The Herald Sun (21/2/09)…….. “Outraged beer lovers have forced Cascade to bring back bigger stubbies of its popular Premium Lager. The Herald Sun has learned that from next week, Cascade Premium will be reinstated to 375ml per bottle after being reduced to 330ml. Cascade Premium Lager was reduced in volume because its maker, Fosters was losing market share to European brews such as Heineken and Peroni, which are sold in slimmer 330ml bottles. There was a deluge of letters, faxes and phone calls. A Face book group was set up in protest and attracted more than a 1000 members. Sales in some outlets were said to have halved.” More News - Reinventing the Wheel As also reported by The Herald Sun (18/2/09)…….. “Beer again stands alone at Fosters. The drinks giant will split its Australian wine and beer businesses, with beer to return to the famous banner of Carlton and United Breweries. Fosters will also shed more than 300 jobs, 3 wineries, 36 vineyards and 37 wine brands after a major 9 month review of its struggling wine business.” Ed: How much did this cost? Happy Home Brewing Regards Aussie Brewmakers |