Can You Help A Foreign Newbie?

[midge]

Hi, I am an expatriate aussie, just got my brewing licence in Singapore and am keen to start brewing. I can buy the Cooper's kit here but it comes with plastic bottles and I'd rather use glass. There are no bottle cappers in Singapore, but I am in Sydney this week and wonder if anyone can recommend a shop near central Sydney that sells beer bottle cappers and caps. I have used google to no avail, please help if you can. Cheers.

 

[Samwise Gamgee]

Dave's Home Brew is in Nth Sydney. That's prob closest to Syd CBD that I know of.

Check out the "links" section up the top of the page and it should take you to his details.

You need a licence to Home Brew in Singapore?? What do you have to go through to get that?

 

[midge]

It's pretty straightforward to get the licence, but only just recently allowed, I'm not sure about the weather here, if it's going to be suitable for brewing hovering at a pretty constant 29 degrees, +/- 5 degrees, perfect place to drink beer but I'm not sure about brewing. Thanks for the help.

 

[barneyhanway]

For what its worth, I use a mixture of glass (green swingtop grolsch bottles) and 750ml plastic PET bottles, I actually prefer the PETs. I'd definitely give them a crack before investing in glass, they make bottling easy, and as a bonus you can feel them firm up and know your beer is carbonated enough to try.
They don't have any detrimental effects on taste in my opinion.

 

[Samwise Gamgee]

If you search around the forum, you'll find a heap of different techniques to keep your fermentation temps reasonable without the need for a fridge.

eg, fermenter in bath/laundry tub with water and frozen coke bottles of water etc

 

[midge]

I might give the plastic a try, but it seems strange to be drinking out of plastic, don't use glasses as too much condensation so straight into the stubbie holder; but if the taste is going to be the same perhaps worth one batch. Thanks for the tip on temperature control, this board is very fast with the helpful replies.

 

[coolum brewer]

It's pretty straightforward to get the licence, but only just recently allowed, I'm not sure about the weather here, if it's going to be suitable for brewing hovering at a pretty constant 29 degrees, +/- 5 degrees, perfect place to drink beer but I'm not sure about brewing. Thanks for the help.

I'm amazed there's not a huge home brewing industry in Singapore, with prices around $10-$12 Singapore for a schooner of Tiger!

Cheers
Peter

 

[Ross]

It's pretty straightforward to get the licence, but only just recently allowed, I'm not sure about the weather here, if it's going to be suitable for brewing hovering at a pretty constant 29 degrees, +/- 5 degrees, perfect place to drink beer but I'm not sure about brewing. Thanks for the help.

I'm amazed there's not a huge home brewing industry in Singapore, with prices around $10-$12 Singapore for a schooner of Tiger!

Cheers
Peter

Peter, it's growing, I've got several happy customers there already

cheers Ross...

 

[Steve]

Midge - the PET bottles are ok. I always use a few for each batch. Good to check that they're carbed up. If you can grab a 100 can cooler bag from kmart for $30.00 and take it back with you. Put your fermenter in it with a couple of frozen two litre coke bottles and your brew will be nice and cool.
Cheers
Steve

 

[DrewCarey82]

I'll have to remember that one for summer.

 

[Steve]

I'll have to remember that one for summer.

I can believe you've forgotton - I must've told you about 10 times last summer how good they were.
Cheers
Steve

 

[crozdog]

Midge, if you happen to be in the burbs, try BIGW. They sell coopers PET bottles which are nicely boxed up which might make em easier for you to transport back to SG.

Another brew shop close to the city is Brewcraft @ Rozelle. It is on your left, 3/4 the way up the hill just before Darling St when you head out of the city. They are good for kits & enhancers as well as PET bottles which are cheaper than the coopers ones you get from bigW, but forget AG.

beers

Crozdog

 

[Steve]

p.s. midge - if you are bringing a suit case the 100 can cool bag collapses and would easily fit underneath all your other brewing paraphenalia! :beer:
Cheers
Steve

 

[Samwise Gamgee]

I'll have to remember that one for summer.

Last time when you were told about this I think you mentioned something along the lines of being to busy to change the frozen bottles over :huh:

 

[Lukes]

Midge,
Why not try brewing a tasty wheat beer :super:
Grab a kit or 2 to take home.
They can ferment at the higher end of the scale, ready in no time (2 weeks) and perfect for :chug: 29+ degree days.

Luke

 

[Steve]

Midge,
Why not try brewing a tasty wheat beer :super:
Grab a kit or 2 to take home.
They can ferment at the higher end of the scale, ready in no time (2 weeks) and perfect for :chug: 29+ degree days.

Luke

Just dont go buying a load of bags of dextrose....ive heard the customs guys in singapore are a bit twitchy when it comes to foreigners bring in big plastic bags of white powder :lol:
Cheers
Steve

 

[midge]

Sounds like a trip to BigW, and I will try the PET bottles. I don't mind Tiger but I always get a shocking headache the next day, not sure why. Still, cheaper than the imported beers which can get very pricey. Thanks all again.