Brew kits in the 80s

[brewpete]

Was that the one in Newcastle next to the bus station Gemini I think it was called

[Horden Hillbilly]

Was that the one in Newcastle next to the bus station Gemini I think it was called

It was Union surgical stores at Sunderland, which became Bob's home brew before it closed.

[bassman]

Anyone remember the "dry kits" from Youngs? My dad used to swear by them in the 70/80s. He only used to make up to 24 pints as the dried ME and hops supplied weren't really up to making 40 pints.

[orlando]

No. I was so appalled by the results of kits in the 70's I didn't brew again until 2011.

[robert2957]

With all respect I do not think that the beer kits of the 1980s were that bad. The chapos were rubbish and the top price ones were a take on. But Boots bitter was OK as were many others.

[LeeH]

Never had them, but if they were as bad as Geordies bitter, we’re not missing much.

[Marshbrewer]

I remember my first home brew attempt (if you ignore doing ginger beer) was a Boots Lager kit, probably aged 14 or so in the mid 1980s. Bottled into old Newcastle Brown bottles using the plastic caps - whatever happened to them - they were a good idea - popped off before the bottles exploded and were reusable? Results were nothing like lager, but it was encouraging all the same. However, started drinking in pubs and clubs not long after that, so didn't brew again for years.

[Jim]

Never had them, but if they were as bad as Geordies bitter, we’re not missing much.

They weren't - I tried that once and ended up chucking it away. Boots kits (though not exactly gourmet beer) were nectar by comparison to that.

[Blackaddler]

Anyone remember Superflavex?

[MikkyK]

@Marshbrewer--(post 2 years old now, aplogies!0--plastic caps are still about, they are all I've been using for a very long time now.
I tried a crown corker, but never could quite get the hang of it.
All good brewing supply shops sell the plastic caps.--(Can I name the 'go to' supplier?)--I use them several times over, and have several packs in reserve, in a darkened cupboard.
At bottling time, when I find that they have split, or I can hear the 'psssst', it is then that I get rid of them.

[orlando]

@Marshbrewer--(post 2 years old now, aplogies!0--plastic caps are still about, they are all I've been using for a very long time now.
I tried a crown corker, but never could quite get the hang of it.
All good brewing supply shops sell the plastic caps.--(Can I name the 'go to' supplier?)--I use them several times over, and have several packs in reserve, in a darkened cupboard.
At bottling time, when I find that they have split, or I can hear the 'psssst', it is then that I get rid of them.

Go ahead. I'm intrigued to see if the plastic caps I have are the same ones.

[MikkyK]

Hi, sorry for the late reply, storm proofing the house...sort of:/ My 'go to' brand I use is called 'Youngs Brew' (Beer reseals, clear, 40's, £4.10p pkt.)
As mentioned, I've several packets, kept unopened, in a cool, dark cupboard.
I am wondering if you, or any other contributors to the site have heard, or know of the 'Beer sphere', from the '80's?
I had one but due to several house moves.....well, ya know how it is!
I would love to get one again though, and indeed will have start looking around for one, I miss my ''lost'' one!

[orlando]

I remember them. Never had one though. My first kegs were King Kegs.

[brewpete]

There was one what my mates used to call pigs with had a elevated tap and Hamilton bard c02 injection the kit was ok tbf but the kits where crap

[brewpete]

Keg i ment to say