Brew Yourself a Better Life – Making Home Brewing Work for You.
Homebrewing is becoming an increasingly popular hobby and activity among people of all ages and backgrounds. Homebrewing offers countless opportunities to get creative and have fun while also honing your skills to craft some amazing beers and ales. Brewing your own beer has many advantages, not least of which is the cost savings that can be made over buying drinks in the supermarket and on-trade. Plus, there’s great satisfaction and pride that comes from creating such a fantastic beverage yourself.
But, some people may feel intimidated when it comes to starting their own homebrewing journey. They may not know where to start or what equipment they need. This blog post is written to offer you a comprehensive guide to getting started with homebrewing and making it work for you.
Here we will cover all the basics you need to know about homebrewing, from the different styles of beers and ales that are available, to the equipment and ingredients you will need to purchase, and finally how to turn your raw ingredients into a delicious drink.
Let’s get started by first looking at what homebrewing is, and the different types of beers and ales that you can make at home.
What Is Homebrewing?
Homebrewing is the process of making beer or other alcoholic beverages at home using malt, hops, yeast, and other ingredients. The primary ingredients in beer are water, malted barley, hops, and yeast; and these are generally boiled together in a large pot or kettle (the mash). Once the boiled ingredients have cooled, they are passed through a filter and into a fermenter. This is where the fermentation process begins and the yeast eats the sugars in the malt, producing the carbon dioxide and the alcohol that make beer and ale so special. After several weeks or months, depending on the type of beer you are making, the finished product is ready to drink.
The Different Styles of Homebrewed Beer
The great thing about brewing beer at home is that there are literally hundreds of beer styles to choose from. Whether you prefer lagers or stout, there is something for everyone.
Ales are a popular beer style and there are many variations to choose from. Some popular ale styles are: Brown Ale, Pale Ale, India Pale Ale (IPA), Belgian-style Ale, and Belgique. Ales are known for their distinct malty taste, bitterness, and hop aromas.
On the other hand, lagers are a lighter style of beer with a crisp, refreshing taste. Popular lager styles include: Pilsner, Bock, Marzen, Helles, and Dark Lager.
And of course you can always create your own unique beer styles that combine elements of both lagers and ales.
What Equipment Will I Need For Homebrewing?
Before you can begin brewing your own beer, you’ll need to get yourself set up with the right equipment. This will depend on the type of beer you plan on making, but most homebrewing kits will include everything you need to get started.
First off, you’ll need a large pot or kettle (the mash) and a heat source like a propane burner or an electric hot plate. You’ll also need a fermenter, a funnel, a racking cane, airlocks, bottles, bottle caps, a siphon, tubing and a thermometer. That being said, there are many other pieces of equipment you can purchase to make the homebrewing process easier and more enjoyable.
What Ingredients Do I Need To Make Beer?
Once you have your equipment sorted, you’ll need to make sure you have the right ingredients for your homebrew. The four main ingredients for homebrewing include: water, malt extract, hops, and yeast.
Water is an important component of homebrewing and it’s important to get it right. Using distilled water is generally recommended as it does not contain any impurities or additives. If you’re unable to use distilled water, then you should use filtered or boiled water instead.
Malt extract is what gives beer its sweetness and colour. There are many different types of malt extracts available, including: light malt extract, dark malt extract, and wheat malt extract.
Hops are used to add bitterness and aroma to beer. There are many different varieties of hops available, each with a unique flavour and aroma. The amount of hops you use will be determined by the style of beer you are making.
Finally, yeast is used to convert the sugars in the malt into alcohol. You can choose between dry yeast and liquid yeast, each one will have its own benefits and drawbacks.
Putting It All Together To Make Beer
Now that you have all your ingredients and equipment, it’s time to begin the brewing process.
Step 1: Sanitize your equipment. Before you begin, you’ll want to make sure that all of your equipment is properly sanitized to avoid any unwanted bacteria in your beer.
Step 2: Heat your water. Start by heating your water in a large pot or kettle to a temperature of around 155 – 165ºF (68 – 74ºC).
Step 3: Add your malt extract. Once your water is heated, add the malt extract and stir until it is completely dissolved. This is also the time to add any specialty grains to your beer.
Step 4: Boil your wort. Once your malt extract is dissolved, bring your wort to a boil. This is also the time to add hops if you’re making an ale. You can also add spices, other flavoring, and sugars at this time.
Step 5: Cool your wort. Once your wort is boiled, you’ll need to cool it down to a temperature of approximately 70ºF (21ºC) before you add your yeast. This can be done by placing it in an ice bath, or by using a wort chiller.
Step 6: Add your yeast. Once your wort is cooled, transfer it to a fermentation vessel and sprinkle your yeast on top. Secure an airlock on the vessel and wait for the fermentation process to begin.
Step 7: Bottling and aging. Once fermentation is complete, you can transfer the beer to bottles for storage. Then all that’s left to do is enjoy your homebrewed beer.
Conclusion
Brewing your own beer at home can be a great way to get creative and to enjoy the relaxation of learning a new skill. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you’ll be well on your way to creating delicious homebrewed beers that everyone can enjoy. So don’t delay, brew yourself a better life!