The pipe work in the background was put in by my cousin Basil Bloom. Previously I used to use a hosepipe attached to an outside tap. Basil's intervention has improved my brew day a lot. On the back wall is a Phil's Phalse Bottom. This was the first thing I ever bought over the internet, back in 1997. It has only recently been retired. I found it very useful. On the right you can see my lab, and on the left my pride and joy.

Moritz Kallmeyer of Draymans Brewery had this set up put together for me. I received a call on a Saturday morning whilst still in bed. (Moritz starts brewing at 04h00) He had phoned to tell me that he thought I needed proper equipment, that he'd ordered most of the bits, and that I should start thinking about how to convince Leonora that it was for the family's greater good - thanks Moritz. The hot liquor tank is an insulated plastic bucket with an element in it. I fill it the night before I brew, set the temperature on the thermostat and leave it to heat up slowly. It has a 100 litre capacity - plenty. The mash tun and boiler are made from (legitimately purchased) kegs. Inside the mash tun is a stainless steel false bottom. You will note the shelf under the mash tun - I put the gas burner under there for step mashing. The heat exchanger at the bottom of the picture is a Donald Coward production. It works like a charm.

This is photo is a bit out of date as I have subsequently had a cooling jacket welded around my fermenter. I run water through the jacket from a flash chiller. I can get my fermenting wort down to 3C. Being able to draw yeast and cold break from the bottom of the fermenter is quite a pleasure.

A home brewer can never have too many fridges. From left to right: My lagering/ yeast storage fridge (at 1C); my drinking bottled beer fridge (at 7C); and my keg dispensing fridge (also at 7C) - spot the tap. On the left is my Valley Mill - another great internet purchase, and to date the best client service I have ever had.

My stale ale/ plambic producing barrel and a half yard of ale. There's a free beer to anyone who knows the name of the South African band -Rat Salad's lead guitarist.

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