Homebrewing in FV

Sir Real · July 23, 2016, 19:06:40 PM

Does anyone do this? Is it legal? Do ingredients and equipment have to come from UK or mainland Europe?
I want to leave the English weather behind, but not the beer! If anyone has a steer on this, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

Windermeregolfer · July 23, 2016, 19:42:10 PM

Hi Sir Real - not sure of English style beer at Fuerte temperatures unless it is a light / blonde brew.

Sir Real · July 23, 2016, 19:52:16 PM

Hi Windermeregolfer - thanks for your reply. Temperature control isn't too challenging - I have cold beer despite the 30Â°+ temperatures we've had in London recently. Homebrewers tend to be quite inventive, and adapt fridges and freezers to act as beer cellars, or source ex-pub equipment to use at home.

I should add that I don't consider the style of beer to be dictated by climate. If it's stored and served properly (at the right temp, as above), then it's a matter of preference. Light lagers originated in Scandinavia, and IPA was sent to India, after all.

Johnrgby2 · July 23, 2016, 20:09:35 PM

Quote from: Sir Real on July 23, 2016, 19:06:40 PM
Does anyone do this? Is it legal? Do ingredients and equipment have to come from UK or mainland Europe?
I want to leave the English weather behind, but not the beer! If anyone has a steer on this, it would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris

Why would you want to???

Sir Real · July 23, 2016, 20:20:40 PM

Quote from: Johnrgby2 on July 23, 2016, 20:09:35 PM
Why would you want to???

JohnR - is that why would I want to brew? I don't like Eurofizz, and there's little else around in the Canary islands I've visited. Please advise if I'm wrong

el caballo hambriento · July 23, 2016, 22:15:56 PM

Sir Real Do you live in Fven?

warriors · July 23, 2016, 23:33:16 PM

hi Sir Real
i know some people on the Island manage to brew real ale and sometimes struggle with the temperature and the "finnings" to clear the beer at the end (i think) but if you have the gear and the will crack on and have a go!!
have had to get used the fizzy stuff ourselves so go for it-good luck

TamaraEnLaPlaya · July 24, 2016, 00:57:18 AM

I've seen a shop on the island selling home brewing stuff but I can't for the life of me remember where it was - I'll keep my eyes open and ask around or perhaps someone else will come up with the location. Likely to be Corralejo or Puerto.

Johnrgby2 · July 24, 2016, 10:00:15 AM

Quote from: Sir Real on July 23, 2016, 20:20:40 PM
Quote from: Johnrgby2 on July 23, 2016, 20:09:35 PM
Why would you want to???
JohnR - is that why would I want to brew? I don't like Eurofizz, and there's little else around in the Canary islands I've visited. Please advise if I'm wrong

There are a number of Bars in Caleta that sell draught British beer, and I seem to remember the Sea Horse {Sports Bar } in Cotillo does as well

Sir Real · July 24, 2016, 13:16:25 PM

Thanks for all the replies

El Caballo - no, I don't live in Fven. Where is that?

Warriors - I can imagine that fermentation temperatures and clearing could be challenging. I manage at ambient temps in the UK, but would want a fermentation cupboard - usually a modified fridge - in FV. When I buy a place, it will have to have space for brewing!

Tamara - that would be really useful info - thank you.

John R - thanks. Good to know there's alternatives to Eurofizz when I want to go out for food and/ or a drink

Books Cards & Things Corralejo · July 24, 2016, 15:19:27 PM

I have a friend near Corralejo who brews his own beer and very good it is too. He imports the beer kit from a company in Barcelona.

Will196 · July 24, 2016, 15:36:54 PM

Quote from: Sir Real on July 24, 2016, 13:16:25 PM

Warriors - I can imagine that fermentation temperatures and clearing could be challenging. I manage at ambient temps in the UK, but would want a fermentation cupboard - usually a modified fridge - in FV. When I buy a place, it will have to have space for brewing!

You only need about 20C for ales. All winter you might find the cool spot in the house too cool.

Sir Real · July 24, 2016, 15:54:12 PM

Quote from: Will196 on July 24, 2016, 15:36:54 PM
You only need about 20C for ales. All winter you might find the cool spot in the house too cool.

Thanks Will. I like to ferment at 22Â°. A fermenting cupboard (adapted fridge or similar) has heating as well as cooling to maintain a steady temp, so that's the plan

Will196 · July 24, 2016, 15:58:00 PM

Make a bigger batch. It'll heat itself

woe10 · July 24, 2016, 16:31:26 PM

Can't see you having any legal problems here, but I don't recall seeing any shops selling ingredients.

Turicomplex used to have their own Brewery in Caleta, situated in the garages below Fado Rock Steak House.
A Russian bloke used to be the Brewer, it was like Donkey Pee

KWC · July 25, 2016, 10:10:54 AM

Quote from: woe10 on July 24, 2016, 16:31:26 PM
Can't see you having any legal problems here, but I don't recall seeing any shops selling ingredients.

Turicomplex used to have their own Brewery in Caleta, situated in the garages below Fado Rock Steak House.
A Russian bloke used to be the Brewer, it was like Donkey Pee

LOL I suppose the question that must be asked Woe is: How do you know what Donkeys Pee tastes like

Sir Real · July 25, 2016, 12:45:34 PM

Quote from: KWC on July 25, 2016, 10:10:54 AM
LOL I suppose the question that must be asked Woe is: How do you know what Donkeys Pee tastes like

We can only speculate!

Thanks for all the replies. What I've gathered so far is:

It's probably legal (but check the details).

Ingredients will have to come from the UK (or RoI to keep it in the Eurozone). I'm unlikely to find out about local availability until I'm living in FV.

Good temperature control needed

If you think I've missed anything, please post it!

silent_running · July 25, 2016, 12:51:56 PM

Water?

I think you may need to play around to find the right water for the brew...salt/mineral content especially.

Sir Real · July 25, 2016, 16:35:04 PM

Good point SR - I'm aware that I'll have to use bottled water. Isn't the tap water brackish, de-salinated stuff? Ugh! I'll need to find cheap, readily available bottled water that has a clear mineral content analysis, and then adjust the mineral content to suit the beer

Blueboy7 · July 25, 2016, 21:11:20 PM

Having read all of the advice Chris I honestly think it would be better for you to stay in the UK and invest in a sun lamp.

Windermeregolfer · July 26, 2016, 05:26:21 AM

Quote from: Blueboy7 on July 25, 2016, 21:11:20 PM
Having read all of the advice Chris I honestly think it would be better for you to stay in the UK and invest in a sun lamp.

No it would be better to acquire a liking for some very good Spanish wine on sale on FV at very reasonable prices and may be the odd larger, in the warmer climate

Johnrgby2 · July 26, 2016, 09:10:09 AM

Quote from: Windermeregolfer on July 26, 2016, 05:26:21 AM
Quote from: Blueboy7 on July 25, 2016, 21:11:20 PM
Having read all of the advice Chris I honestly think it would be better for you to stay in the UK and invest in a sun lamp.

No it would be better to acquire a liking for some very good Spanish wine on sale on FV at very reasonable prices and may be the odd larger, in the warmer climate

That is the most sensible suggestion on this subject so far

Sir Real · July 26, 2016, 16:11:43 PM

Thanks (?) for the replies. Sun lamp's no good as soon as you go outside.

Good Spanish wine? I have an ulcer-type condition, and can't drink wine

Lager in the warmer climate? Certainly, on occasion, but as a necessity, not a preference.

I brew Golden Ale - a light, refreshing beer for warmer conditions, served like beer should be - through a hand pump. Am I going to switch to lager? Unlikely!

I think homebrewing in FV will be slightly more tricky than in the UK, but any problems can be overcome. So thanks again for all the 'don't bother' advice, but I'm afraid it's wasted

Snowdrop · July 26, 2016, 17:55:28 PM

When you move over to fuerte it will be a good hobby/interest for you. Good luck to you 😄

Blueboy7 · July 26, 2016, 19:04:14 PM

Try searching the net with the following "Home Brewing in a Hot Climate", loads of info available.

Sir Real · July 27, 2016, 16:47:29 PM

Cheers Snowdrop - that's certainly a consideration. It's a hobby/interest now, so I don't want to discard it when I come to FV

Thanks Blueboy. Yep, loads of info, particularly on Aussie sites, although my post was more about local availability, rather than climatic concerns.

Archer · July 27, 2016, 18:13:53 PM

I've seen draught Guiness on sale here, and a programme on tv a couple of weeks ago suggested it was brewed in Gran Canaria. So they have no problem with water etc.

Blueboy7 · July 27, 2016, 19:52:30 PM

There is a problem with water, I have went through three boilers in 9 years.

TamaraEnLaPlaya · July 28, 2016, 00:48:05 AM

Quote from: archer101 on July 27, 2016, 18:13:53 PM
I've seen draught Guiness on sale here, and a programme on tv a couple of weeks ago suggested it was brewed in Gran Canaria. So they have no problem with water etc.

I think GC has a certain amount of ground/spring water they could use for brewing Guiness so are not reliant on desalinated like we are in FV.

suendrob · July 28, 2016, 10:54:27 AM

Quote from: Sir Real on July 25, 2016, 16:35:04 PM
Good point SR - I'm aware that I'll have to use bottled water. Isn't the tap water brackish, de-salinated stuff? Ugh! I'll need to find cheap, readily available bottled water that has a clear mineral content analysis, and then adjust the mineral content to suit the beer

There's a natural water source at the roadside from the airport to El Cotillo somewhere around Tindaya, I think. We drive past it each trip. People fill their bottles there. Spring water, obviously drinkable, as it comes from a tap. I'm sure someone could tell you more.