Ginger Beer Plant

Not so long ago I was asked if I remembered making ginger beer as a young un, and I do, this might be a good way to entertain the kids during the holidays.

1. 1

   For making the ginger beer we used a glass sweetie jar borrowed from the corner shop if you can find one it would be ideal, up in Lancashire Ozzie mills sells this type of jar, full of sweets. It is best kept in a cool dark place, we used a shelf of the kitchen cupboards.
   Put the yeast into a large clean jar, pour in 275 ml (10 fl oz) tepid, (blood temperature) warm water, stir in 2 teaspoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of ground ginger.
   Cover and leave in a warm place for 24 hours, you have just made your starter plant, over the next week you just 'feed' it till it is ready to bottle.
   Feeding the Plant
   Feed the plant with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, every day for the next 6 days. Make sure to stir and cover the jar each time.
   After you have fed it on the 6th day, cover the plant and leave it for 24 hours.
   After that, line a sieve with the muslin, (I remember using a tea towel) then strain the contents of the jar, reserving both the liquid and the sediment.
   In a saucepan over gentle heat, dissolve 2 ponds of sugar) 1 pint of water. Stir constantly until the sugar has dissolved then bring to the boil and boil for 3 minutes.
   Allow to cool until almost cold, then pour the syrup into a large bowl and stir in the lemon juice and liquid from the plant.
   Dilute this liquid with 6 pints of water, stir well and pour into clean, and sterilised bottles. Put a cork in each one and store somewhere preferably cool and dark for at least one week.
   Then drink and enjoy, don't be tempted to save it as there will be a new batch coming along next week!