Thanks for your help guys but my ginger beer was a fail.... It looked fine but didn't smell good at all so I dumped it - a $20 learning experience. I have since changed my fermenter to a proper screw top one and I installed a tap and an airlock. Hopefully I will have better luck with my next batch. Might try a GB kit next time...
Thats a shame mate. Did you have a taste? Some of my brews smell like paint stripper when they first fire up but that bad smell disappears after a while...
Wasn't game to unfortunately..... I had my bro (who is reasonably experienced- a lot more than me anyway) take a look at it and told me to chuck it... not to worry though... I'll have another crack. I think the problem was the yeast that I used.... I got it posted to me and I think that half of it died in transit. I'll only use yeast from my LHBS next time... Got an apple cider going now and that always turns out trumps so I'll stick with the kits at this stage...