u/JeffSergeant

The rationalisation is hilariously bad.

Lots of water bottles and energy drink cans, and lots of assorted plastic wrapping. Most annoyingly, a few smashed glass bottles around the play equipment. Great to be able to stand in the middle of such a large area and not see any rubbish.

The metronome in the same range has a flip out stand.

Transferred to secondary fermentation this afternoon, 3 hours later the airlock is bent over and the plastic is all soft and tearable..

It was on the normal fermentation shelf, moved to the window for the photo. No lights around there or heat sources.

I knew this was a strong batch, but didn't think it was that strong! Any theories?

Second brew, used local spring canola honey and backsweetened with a little local wildflower honey but only to 1.05, so still dry.

Added a little homemade smoked oak extract and it's very palatable!

This bottle was the first off, some of the last ones picked up a bit more residue, but they're in swingtops and will be used first anyway.

I read the warnings so boiled the honey outside on a propane burner, got some funny looks from the neighbours cooking in welding gloves, but they definitely saved me from some splashes!

1.5kg of the cheapest honey in Aldi, 150g dates (an organic pack with no phosphates), and 150g mixed currants. Using lalvin 71b, its never needed any help so far, if not have some nutrient on standby.

Plan to add cinnamon nutmeg and allspice once fermentation is complete, then transfer to secondary when the flavour is right.

OG ~ 1.080, but lots of fruit so who knows exactly where it will finish up!

Hopefully will be drinkable by Christmas!