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Original poster

AIBU to be angry ad DS16 for fermenting alcohol

96 replies

SassyBear2 · 16/10/2025 00:20

A strange smell was coming from DS16's cupboard and so I tried to find out what was causing that odour. When I opened the cupboard I found a conical flask with a cloudy liquid inside of it + airlock on top of it. This was clearly a fermentation setup. When I spoke to my DS about this he admitted that the liquid inside of the flask is yeast, water, sugar and yeast minerals and so the goal is very clearly to produce alcohol. I'm assuming it's because he's attending a party soon and so instead of going through the hassle of buying alcohol whilst under 18 he took matters into his own hands.

AIBU to be very angry at my son for producing alcohol? How should I approach this situation? Also is it uncommon for teens his age to be drinking or producing their own alcohol? Should I be concerned?

OP posts:
sweeneytoddsrazor · 16/10/2025 10:40

This is brilliant. I'd be getting him a Dodge Charger and telling him to watch out for Boss Hogg

myopinionis · 16/10/2025 10:38

Good lad. I'd maybe offer beer or cider fermentation stuff next birthday.

Ignore the idiots claiming this is dangerous without understanding the distinction between fermenting and distilling. As long as he isn't distilling it's pretty safe, it just might be disappointing if it tastes rubbish!

CrackingOn50 · 16/10/2025 10:28

Last night my 17 year old DS went to his mates' to make wine and beer using allotment grown fruit.

You'd be better off getting him a kit then he can start a production line in your kitchen to make Christmas presents!

mumonthehill · 16/10/2025 10:25

Ds at 16 made a still out of a pressure cooker, it was expertly done, however I can say that the alcohol he produced was absolutely foul so he never did it again!!!! I still have this contraption as it was quite impressive!!!

SerendipityJane · 16/10/2025 10:24

Well it's not illegal.

When I spoke to my DS about this he admitted that the liquid inside of the flask is yeast, water, sugar and yeast minerals

I wonder what he was trying to make ? Commercial home brew wine and beer kits are generally just concentrate, yeast and clearing agents. And safe.

If you are distilling then it's best to get a proper commercial product that makes a neutral wash to then distil down. These are designed not to produce methanol - you can't distil what isn't there.

Generally you have to work to make methanol anyway if you are using regular home brew supplies.- although cherries are best avoided.

Even since the Home Office messed up, home distilling has become a popular - if niche - hobby.

RafaistheKingofClay · 16/10/2025 10:21

That’s impressive. But I would a) talk to him about the risks I you haven’t already b) get him something to take to the party c) get him a brewing kit for Xmas.

MagpiePi · 16/10/2025 10:16

It is going to taste disgusting and probably give him diarrhoea, but fair play to him for taking the initiative.

Hankunamatata · 16/10/2025 10:10

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 16/10/2025 06:00

Just buy him a couple of alcopops for goodness sake!

My DS is the same age, also doing A level chemistry, but appears to have missed out in GCSE common sense. I’d be delighted if he had a party yo go yo snd was that determined to have a drink! Rather now, than when he’s away from
home.

edited for typos

Edited

I love this and so going to use it. This is exactly how I feel about my lower sixth dc

Hankunamatata · 16/10/2025 10:09

I would be a littlr cross but pretty impressed with his ingenuity.

Harness it. Get him a wee shed and a brewing kit

Peridoteage · 16/10/2025 10:08

To be honest this is why its safer to allow access to a small quantity of alcohol, rather than try to forbid it entirely and risk him doing something terrifically dangerous.

Just give him some low strength lagers/beers to take to a party instead.

Glittertwins · 16/10/2025 10:04

😆 @NewYorkSummer

NewYorkSummer · 16/10/2025 10:03

Glittertwins · 16/10/2025 05:17

On the bright side, he’s not gone full Breaking Bad (yet) 😉

I’m just waiting for OP to say there’s an RV parked on the drive 😆

user793847984375948 · 16/10/2025 09:59

You say it looks like a lab. Is he distilling it? Tubes and heat?

sueelleker · 16/10/2025 09:58

I wouldn't worry. Alcohol produced by fermentation won't be very strong. Now if he set up a still, that would be a different matter!

user793847984375948 · 16/10/2025 09:57

Nice to know he'd be relatively safe in prison.

Agapornis · 16/10/2025 09:52

Why not find your local cider press and make some cider together? And maybe buy some safety check materials? Alcohol refractometer to measure %. Get him to research how to check for methanol.

I've had some excellent beer made by chemistry students. It's not too soon to start looking at degree apprenticeships run by breweries...

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 16/10/2025 06:00

Just buy him a couple of alcopops for goodness sake!

My DS is the same age, also doing A level chemistry, but appears to have missed out in GCSE common sense. I’d be delighted if he had a party yo go yo snd was that determined to have a drink! Rather now, than when he’s away from
home.

edited for typos

Glittertwins · 16/10/2025 05:17

On the bright side, he’s not gone full Breaking Bad (yet) 😉

springintoaction2 · 16/10/2025 05:16

My brother had a go at brewing his own beer, although he was probably a bit older. It was quite the thing back in the day - you could buy beer brewing equipment/substances at Boots.

[not helpful]

I guess it's better than finding a cannabis farm in your attic.

BlackCoffeeAndSugar · 16/10/2025 05:07

This is hilarious

XWKD · 16/10/2025 05:03

I did the same! It was thoroughly vile. I managed to drink it though... 🤣

Mummyoflittledragon · 16/10/2025 04:07

Ah bless him. I’d buy him a small amount of alcohol and discuss the safety aspects and dangers of drinking to excess and to start to know his limits. At his age it is unfortunately normal for some kids to get rather drunk at parties.

Sladuf1 · 16/10/2025 03:57

I’ve been watching Prisoner Cell Block H from the beginning for the last few months, so this sounds like one of the many occasions when Lizzie Birdsworth makes home brew and the women spend most of an episode hiding it from the screws!
I’m with @CharlieRight on this one - invest in a home brew kit, do it properly.

EveryKneeShallBow · 16/10/2025 03:09

Morningsleepin · 16/10/2025 02:12

Yes. I would be concerned about the safety of such alcohol. There used to be mass deaths in India from home-made alcohol, poteen only sent people blind

Show quote history

Bloody hell, it’s only fermenting he’s not going to be distilling, no spirits! What a lot of fuss! I was fermenting my own wine beer and cider as soon as I left home at 19. It’s a perfectly safe way of preserving fruits and vegetables. I learned from my grandmother.

Morningsleepin · 16/10/2025 02:12

Youthinkyoureuniqueyourejustastatistic · 16/10/2025 00:31

That’s brilliant.
Honestly, I’d be asking if he had sterilised his equipment well. And what he intended to do with it.
(And I would absolutely be educating about the dangers of methanol alcohol just incase distillation was on his mind).
And then be heading off to a craft brewery or two for a tour.
I’m sure what he’s brewing will taste like arse. 😂 yeast and cheap apple juice can make some enamel stripping cider.

Yes. I would be concerned about the safety of such alcohol. There used to be mass deaths in India from home-made alcohol, poteen only sent people blind