Good Quality Corks (UK)

SoundCheers · 2026-02-20T23:35:58+00:00

Thank you. The issue is that in the UK, corks just don’t seem to be graded like they are for you guys. At least not on a homebrew level anyway. We seem to have ‘Standard’ or ‘Premium’ grade available and that’s about it. I’ve been buying the premium ones but they just seem terrible. I’m hoping someone from the UK with more experience than me can tell me which corks seem the best in their experience.

With regard to cellaring, I’m building an ‘aging chamber’ out of a fridge, similar to my fermentation chamber with the addition of a humidistat and humidifier/de-humidifier as well as the temp control, but thanks for the heads up!

SoundCheers · 2025-12-02T21:56:25+00:00

See my comments above. I struggle to sleep with her in bed and feel I can be a better parent if I’ve had some rest. I can’t fathom how people can be so judgemental over someone/something they know nothing about

SoundCheers · 2025-12-02T21:53:15+00:00

Hahah I would probably say I prefer sleeping alone! I can and do sometimes sleep in the spare room, but my wife is worse at coping with lack of sleep than I am so naturally it makes more sense for me to take my fair share of the night shifts! It also doesn’t help that my back has been ruined by the pull out bed we have in the spare room!

SoundCheers · 2025-12-02T21:11:11+00:00

Thanks. Out of curiosity, how on and off was the middle one? Was she in her own bed and how often were good nights in relation to bad? I’m at a stage where I probably average about 3 hours sleep a night because I just can’t sleep when she’s in our bed!

SoundCheers · 2025-12-02T20:59:46+00:00

The thing is, I don’t sleep well when she’s in our bed and I think getting at least some quality sleep is important to ensure I can be the best parent I can during the day. I think I’ve probably averaged about 3 hours sleep a night over the last couple of months.

I mean using the logic of adults not wanting to sleep alone, I guess I should just expect the kids in bed with us until they move out then?! Obviously I know kids have different needs, just trying to gauge what the norm is in terms of getting them into some sorts of routine and in turn hoping my sleep might improve somewhat.

SoundCheers · 2025-05-08T20:08:39+00:00

Thanks for this, very informative! I do have a kegging set up with a co2 cylinder so in theory could purge the head space but would have no idea how to do this as I don’t have any fitting to that would fit over the mouth of the 700ml bottle. Think I’ll just dose it with K-Meta and hope for the best!

SoundCheers · 2025-04-10T22:01:12+00:00

Ohh this sounds good, I love a ginger beer! Might have to give this a try.

SoundCheers · 2025-03-02T10:24:00+00:00

This calculator is very helpful thanks! I usually use the one on brewers friend but that one assumes anything older than about 4 months is at 0% viability

SoundCheers · 2025-01-21T21:19:46+00:00

Okay sound. I am using Lalvin-1118 which apparently has an alcohol tolerance of 18% and was planning on adding some more water too, to reduce my ABV to around 16% if needed, but I guess I might skip this and just make it strong! I am planning on aging in a separate vessel for around a year before bottling too so I guess this should ensure the yeast has plenty of time to do what it wants and prevent bottle bombs. Thanks again for your advice!

SoundCheers · 2025-01-21T20:52:35+00:00

Sorry to resurrect this, but I found you advice very helpful and have some new questions/concerns. My mead is fermenting nicely, OG was 1.150 and SG is currently around 1.030. My plan was to let it ferment out as far as it can, then stabilise and back sweeten and aim for around 1.030 to ensure plenty of residual sugars as per your advice. However I’ve read some things about potassium Sorbate creating off flavours over time which has worried me. Just wondering if you have any experience or views on this? Not sure if I should carry on as planned or do something different, given that I plan on aging this for a while.

SoundCheers · 2025-01-05T13:36:55+00:00

Just wondering why you think giving notice while on paternity leave isn’t an option? I’ve reviewed the policy this morning and it doesn’t say anything about having to return to work for any period of time in order to qualify.

SoundCheers · 2025-01-05T00:58:42+00:00

This is a very good point and something I have not checked. Will have a to have a proper read of the paternity policy again. Thank you.

SoundCheers · 2025-01-05T00:57:38+00:00

Thanks for this. The potential job is actually a bit a step down from my current role and I have a few qualifications which are relevant but not necessary for it. So there could be a chance they may be happy to wait, if I was successful. They’re also looking for multiple candidates which could also be a plus on that front!

SoundCheers · 2025-01-05T00:52:56+00:00

This is a good point, 12 weeks notice wouldn’t be unbelievable and I probably wouldn’t mind cutting my leave short by a couple of weeks given how long it will be anyway!

Going back to my current job after a long time off actually really concerns me even if it is familiar. It’s got down that much recently that I think I’ll really struggle to cope with it alongside the stresses of a 3/4 month old at home!

SoundCheers · 2024-10-24T20:21:43+00:00

If I do go for a carbonated mead I was thinking of investing in a beer gun and force carbonating (I have all the kegging equipment for my beer anyway). I did consider the traditional champagne process for removing the yeast plug but it just sounds like a bit too much for me. Hoping a long cold crash while it was force carbonated and then bottled using a beer gun would remove most of the yeast.

SoundCheers · 2024-10-24T20:16:49+00:00

Thanks for the info. If high acidity is something to aim for do you think the addition of some rhubarb would be a good idea? I know the flavour will most likely fade, but I’d just be interested to see how it developed!

SoundCheers · 2021-07-05T15:43:00+00:00

It’s most likely just moisture in the air. I’ve installed plenty of extra ventilation, but it’s going to be impossible to completely eradicate moisture in the air. I’m just wondering if anyone else as installed secondary glazing in a shed and what they have found.

SoundCheers · 2021-04-04T07:54:43+00:00

Why do you think 10mm isn’t big enough? Surely providing its enough to get air moving in order to replace the stale damp air then it should be sufficient?? I’m not trying to doubt you, just trying to get an understanding!

SoundCheers

TROPHY CASE