[srmb60]

I find the idea fascinating. I'm gathering up equipment and researching. I know quite a few of us enjoy a glass once in a while ... is yours homemade?

[kaplods]

My dad used to. I remember him mixing the ingredients (I think grape juice, sugar, and yeast) and putting a balloon on each bottle, then putting it in the cellar. He'd check on it every once in a while to see if the balloon had blown up to the right size.

The neighbors all made wine too. I remember them talking about dandelion and violet wine.

[srmb60]

I have a jug of the balloon wine on the go right now. It's awesome to see the balloon expand. I'll let you know how it goes.

I've got dandelions and violets ... hmmm.

[andoreth]

I've made wine! (Though not in a long time now.) You're right, it is fascinating- not only the process itself but also the wide range of wines that can be made. I can still remember the hours spend gathering dandelions for dandelion wine.

Definitely even more accessable to anyone (and I actually think more delicious) is making hard cider. If you are really interested in learning the art of fermenting drinks this might be a good place to start. All you need is some non-pasturized cider (or apples and a juicer), some fermenter's yeast (actually even bread yeast will work- but it will change the flavor), perhaps a little sugar, a container, and a release valve. You can even double-ferment it for cider champagne (though you'll need a few peices of bottling equipment).

You can find lots of free instructions on the net- I really encourage you to give it a go. Good luck!

[NotTheCheat]

We have recently gotten into brewing and have done cider, beer and mead at home (my bf does the beer, I do the mead, cider we do together). It is a very interesting process and we quite enjoy it. I think the two biggest ingredients are cleanliness and patience. You have to wash everything very meticulously to make sure you don't have any rogue beasties muck up the process. The patience part is hard too. I just cracked a mead that I started making back in October. A lot of brewing is doing something and then waiting around.

Also, you end up with a lot of whatever it is you are making. Mead can keep for years and age like wine, but I am glad my bf has a bunch of buddies to give his beer to because I wouldn't want to drink it as fast as he likes to make it.

[srmb60]

Cider hmmm .... I can see a trip to town might be in order today. I have the stuff for mead, I just need the right yeast and some more bungs and airlocks. Such fun!
Do you gals buy brand new bottles?

[telemetrynurse]

I do whine a lot at home, does that count?

Sounds like a great idea, please let us know how it goes!

[srmb60]

Yes, Elizabeth it does. If nobody whined there's be no message boards But seriously, it's nice to hear from you at all.

I mixed up a batch of mead yesterday and will keep you up to date. I even cleaned up a corner of the basement (old house) to set my stash in.