Topic: Bottling
I have re-thought my position on using glass bottles. Now that I realize that I have to leave the brew in the bottles for 3 weeks or more to condition them, I have decided to exclusively use plastic soda pop bottles. The first time I use them, I will clean and sterilize them with bleach; after that, I'll just clean them with hot soapy water and thorough rinsing out between drinking the beer from one and then going on to re-ise it for the next batch of beer. Although, truth to tell, I don't see much reason in even removing the sediment left at the bottom of any bottle if I'm going to just pour more beer to be bottle-condtioned right back into it.

Topic: Bottling

I see from my picture (on Feb. 22) that I should explain about my airlocks. If you have ever wanted to make beer or wine, you have heard about airlocks. The directions always say you have to buy airlocks. These are things you put over the fermenting liquid to keep the fruitflies out (if you don't want to end up with vinegar) and yet still be able to let the gases made during fermentation escape. This is one of the fancy gadgets you can buy that I have discovered while making wine that it is just as easy -- nay, easier -- to use a piece of plastic shopping bag over the top of the container, tightly secured by a rubber band. So that is what you see on the liter jar of fermenting beer in the picture - a piece of plastic I cut out of a plastic shopping bag secured to the jar with a thick rubber band. Anything elastic would do, however, as long as it holds the plastic firmly against the glass.