Baking and brewing

Whilst on holiday I remembered the delights of eating home baked bread and drinking good old fashioned British Real Ale. Both of these things reminded me of home so I have decided to begin baking bread once more and through the generosity of my brother, have some cash as a birthday gift to set myself up in the homebrew game. (I believe that a large part of his decision to do this was so that he can enjoy a decent pint when he comes to visit late next year ... 12 months to perfect it then!!)

Part one was completed yesterday with a whopping 1.4kg (3lb) loaf being made to a pretty decent standard. This was a simple White loaf as finding good strong wholemeal flour in the local shops is proving a bit tricky. The results (so I am informed by Emma) are decidedly tasty. I am currently finishing off the last of the shop bought loaf so am yet to have a slice.

Part two shall begin later this week. I have placed on order a homebrew book made by CAMRA (the gurus of real ale) and have located what appears to be a pretty good homebrew supply shop locally. I think I shall begin with a kit and the intention is to progress onto a more 'expert' process of using differing hops and malts to produce a beer to our liking. My current conundrum is whether to barrel it or bottle it. As far as I can see barrelling is a cheaper and easier option (no outlay on bottles, caps or capping devices) but it requires drinking within a few weeks of opening. Possibly a bit tricky when it comes to a 40pt barrel! This may mean a few 10pt barrels if such a thing exists. No doubt the guys in the shop will help me decide the best way forward.

I just hope that my other plan of cycling a lot more will enable me to enjoy the beer without the consequences of gaining a portly figure.