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
 * enough water to swell to between three and four tablespoons full (45-60 ml)

To Feed the "Plant"

 * 7 tsp ground ginger
 * 7 tsp sugar
 * 2 pints of water

To Flavour

 * 1½ lbs sugar
 * juice of 2 lemons

Directions

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