gazmac

I think having a bar in your garage is really cool. So much so that I plan to build one in my own garage and serve amongst others, my own beer.

I never met anyone in Scotland who had a bar in the garage.

Reylan

Unfortunately, this happens in the UK too.

jmh

Of course, some people will repeat the process over and over. I wonder whether it fits with returning expats when they've been away a while.

Pom_Chch

Don't let it do your head in Bo, it wasn't a comment intended to annoy anyone

I can assure you that all of our friends who brew range from early twenties and up into their sixties. Non of which have manky beards, hand knitted jumpers or wear socks and sandals. That just seems like a huge a generalisation, and not an accuate one at that. The way I view it NZ'ers haven't adopted brewing as their own. It is just something that seems more popular here. Obviously that is just my personal experience and entirly subjective.

Anyways, back on topic... something about settling...

Hokey-pokey

I popped into a brewing shop a few days ago out of curiosity. The place was fascinating, I think it could be quite fun concocting a home brew. I've made alcoholic ginger beer a few times ( unintentionally though ). Back to topic.

Pom_Chch

It is a fun thing to do and the more you brew the more you want to concoct! A great little hobby and fantastic way to make new friends. Also saves a lot of money. I can never resist saving a bob or two!

Unintentional ginger beer sounds good!!

Tom1983

30 months and still not had the settled moment

I think once I start masturbating as to how great Lorde is or jerk off every time a celebrity of some sort is visiting the country, then perhaps I might experience it

That or get so excited I wet my pants when Valerie Adams or the all blacks win

barnsleymat

My favourite post of 2014

The Weezer

I'm so not settled, I had to look up who Valerie Adams is. Been here nearly 10 years.

Justcol

I guess when I met the kiwi woman who is now my wife 3 years ago.
I was pretty ok before that, thought about going back briefly when it went to custard with the ex but think
I realy just wanted a hug from my mum.

I absolutely love it here

Tom1983

You are so lucky that you didn't hear the constant 24/7 news about how disgraceful it was that she didn't win gold medal at London (this was before the Belarussian woman was found to be using drugs)

It was as if the world was coming to an end. I thought the media was bad back in Blighty whenever the England football team lose but this was 10 times worse.

I thought when England defeated the All Blacks 2 years ago, there would be a national disaster in the media. But that was mild compared to the Valerie Adams fiasco.

Pom_Chch

Totally off topic (again) but...

I personally see nothing wrong with the extent of the media coverage surrounding Valerie Adams. It was no different to coverage in the UK when Lance Armstrong was rumbled for abusing drugs. I think what happened to Valerie would have been devastating to say the least. Missing out on winning gold at the biggest sporting event of all time just because someone else cheated. Yes, those are the kinds of things that have an awful lot of coverage in the news here and everywhere for that matter. That moment will never come back for Valerie. As we all know NZ has such a small population so to produce a world class athlete is a huge achievement. I also think it's great that Kiwi's are so passionate about their sporting achievements.

As you were!

gina and danny

I'm interested in this home brewing side thread !!!!! I wonder if anyone can tell me if wine making at home is the same sort of thing? It's just that this year I have an insane amount of blue/black grapes and they are too jelly like for eating was wondering what to do with them

Back to topic of dad coming to stay. After a lot of talk with my brother I realised it was a heat of the moment reaction and I didn't quite think about what a huge impact it would have on our little family here, so for now he is staying in the uk, he has a home help etc and hopefully next year we could all go visit him

pippalonghorn

This home brew talk is making me have horrible childhood memories.

The memory of my dad trying his hardest to make drinkable wine, year after bloody year. The cupboard in my bedroom taken over by glugging demijohns full of sour, vinegar tasting fluid.

My poor mam who each year was selected as wine taster because my dad was too scared to try it. Now when you are a child and you get the chance to have a sneaky try of alcohol it is sooo exciting, not for me. Did it once, never again. Im sure my dad actually used his wine one year to remove an oil stain on our driveway.

My dad did wear crazy knitted jumpers and slippers too but didnt have a beard. He was bald, that also may be due to his wine!

jmh

I used to make home made wine and it was lovely. You need to get all the gear in, and I always found bottling a bit of a hassle, but I had some really good results. I never made grape wine because it was in the UK and I didn't have a ready supply, but I made a gorgeous rhubarb wine which was a lovely dry rosé - looked lovely in a glass too.

I suggest you see if your library has a book. I had one that included non-alcoholic cordials as well as the more standard wines. See if you can get the demi-johns in a second hand shop or on trade me. They can be quite expensive. Maintain good hygiene too as bugs will cause failures (and sickness!).

I also remember home made ginger beer from my childhood which was pretty good.