Home brewing in London

[derrin]

I'm about to head back to london for a few years, and I'm wondering if anyone has ideas on HB supplies.
The home-brew-shop web site seems a good start but do any of you learned folks know,
where to get bottles?
what is the deal with the water over there (ph levels and hard/soft appears to be a big issue)
Any physical shops in north London?
Is it actually more expensive brewing your own in Ol' Blighty?
I've noticed a few of you have spent time in the UK so you have a wealth of knowledge about beer, tell me what you know.
Thanks to all replies

[warra48]

Can't help you personally, but here is a link to what appears to be the prime UK forum on homebrewing.
Perhaps you will find your answer on there.

http://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/index.php

[drsmurto]

Yep, jims beer kit is the go, plenty of good info, and more importantly, good people on there. I browse the forum and have picked up a lot of good ideas on brewing english ales.

As for HB in the UK cost wise, i did notice when i lived in Durham that coopers cans had the same physical number on the price tag, just a different symbol........ hence i didnt bother. I hadnt even heard of AG brewing back then.

Also helped i was buying bitter from a handpump at £1.26 at my local and that was only 2 years ago.

[derrin]

Thanks for the link Warra, just having a quick glance through the recipes section was enlightening!
And about the coopers kits? I saw those prices and thought Jeebus what am I in for. I'll be living round the corner from the junction tavern in Tufnell Park which was doing a different menu of local ales each month, last time I was there. so maybe I should do some in depth research before jumping back into brewing