Old-fashioned Ginger Beer

Description
It is quite a long process but well worth the effort. The amount of sugar in the final stage can be varied according to taste.

For The Starter

 * ½ oz yeast
 * 2 tsp sugar

To Feed the "Plant"

 * 7 tsp ground ginger
 * 7 tsp sugar

To Flavour

 * 1½ lbs sugar
 * juice of 2 lemons

Directions

 * 1) Stir, cover and leave in a warm place for 24 hours.
 * 2) This is your starter "plant".
 * 3) Feed the "plant" with 1 teaspoon each of ground ginger and sugar each day.
 * 4) After 7 days, strain through a fine sieve.
 * 5) Dissolve the sugar in 2 pints of water.
 * 6) Add the lemon juice and the liquid from the "plant".
 * 7) Dilute with 5 pints of water, mix well and store in corked bottles for at least 7 days.
 * 8) Use strong bottles as pressure may build up which will cause thin bottles to explode.
 * 9) For the same reason use corked bottles rather than those with a more secure closure that will not "give" under pressure.