Colony West Ginger Beer (Alcoholic)

Brew day

1. Clean and sanitise. Clean and sanitise your fermenter, lid, airlock, tap, spoon and hydrometer.
2. Dissolve. Pour about 2 litres of hot water into the fermenter. Add the Colony West Ginger Beer and 1 kg of dextrose and stir until fully dissolved.
3. Top up to 23 litres. Top up with cold tap water to the 23 litre mark and stir well. Aim for 20–25 °C.
4. Take a gravity reading. Write down the hydrometer reading. This is your original gravity (OG). ABV calculator
5. Pitch the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast supplied with the kit over the surface and fit the lid and airlock.

Tip: Check the directions on the can as well. If they differ from this recipe, follow the can.

Fermentation

1. Ferment. Keep the fermenter at 20–25 °C, out of direct sunlight. Fermentation usually takes 7–10 days.
2. Check it has finished. From around day 7, check the specific gravity (SG) each day. It's ready once the reading is steady for two days, at about 1.000–1.005. ABV calculator

Tip: Only bottle once the gravity is stable. Bottling too early can over-carbonate the ginger beer and burst bottles.

Bottling

1. Fill and prime. Gently fill clean PET bottles to about 3 cm from the top. Add 2 carbonation drops per 740–750 mL bottle (1 per 375 mL) and secure the caps.
2. Condition and enjoy. Store the bottles upright, out of direct sunlight, for at least 2 weeks. Squeeze a bottle to check it's firm, then chill upright and pour into a glass, leaving the sediment behind.

Make it your own

Everyone brews a little differently, and that's half the fun. Use this recipe as a starting point, then adjust it to suit your taste: a little more or less sugar for strength, some fresh ginger or citrus for zing, or a warmer or cooler ferment.

Want it for the whole family? Leave out the dextrose and follow the non-alcoholic directions on the can. Write down what you changed so your next batch turns out just the way you like it.