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Make Beer at Home
While the art and process of brewing beer dates back at least 6,000 years, the practice of homebrewing (by which an individual produces a small amount of beer for personal use) is relatively new. With the rise of brewing supply stores and the increased availability of specialized homebrewing ingredients and equipment, many beer lovers have decided to try their hand at producing their own unique and delicious flavors of beer. Although brewing your own beer may at first seem like a daunting and complicated process, with the right equipment, knowledge and instruction, homebrewing can be a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy your favorite alcoholic
beverage.
While the art and process of brewing beer dates back at least 6,000 years, the practice of homebrewing (by which an individual produces a small amount of beer for personal use) is relatively new. With the rise of brewing supply stores and the increased availability of specialized homebrewing ingredients and equipment, many beer lovers have decided to try their hand at producing their own unique and delicious flavors of beer. Although brewing your own beer may at first seem like a daunting and complicated process, with the right equipment, knowledge and instruction, homebrewing can be a fun and inexpensive way to enjoy your favorite alcoholic
beverage.
Malt Extract: Malt Extract is produced by the forced germination of barley grain, which activates the enzymes that can then be used in the brewing process. Packages of pre-made malt extract can be purchased at your local home-brewing store or online retailer and come in many different flavors and varieties.
Hops: Hops, as used in brewing, are the flowering cones found on the end of the vine of the hop flower. Hops are used to give beer its bitterness, aroma, and additional flavors.
Yeast: Yeast is a type of fungus that is used in the fermenting process to convert the sugar in the malt extract into ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Water: While normal tap water can be used for home-brewing, it is important that it be free of any major impurities or chemicals. The chlorine that is found in most water supply systems can give your beer a harsh flavor, so it is often better to use bottled or filtered water.
Sugar (Dextrose or Glucose): Added to the beer before bottling in order to carbonate the beer.
What you will Need
Equipment that you will need
Brewpot: This is where you will bring your initial mixture of malt extract, water and hops to a boil. A 4 or 5 gallon stainless steel brew pot should suffice for brewing your first batch. Any smaller and you risk spillage and overflow.
Fermenter: A fermenter is basically any type of vessel that can be used to contain the beer as it is being fermented. A sturdy plastic bucket, pail or glass carboy are the most common types of fermenters.
Funnel and Strainer: Used to help transfer the contents of your brew pot into the fermenter.
Siphon Hose: Used to transfer your beer from the fermenter into the empty beer bottles. Clear plastic tubing should suffice, although some brewers choose to purchase an auto-siphon.
Airlock and Stopper: This handy device is used to prevent outside air from getting inside the fermenter, Brewing Equipment (Creative Commons photo taken by Michael Gorsuch)while at the same time allowing the carbon dioxide that is produced by
fermentation to escape.
Thermometer: Used to measure the temperature of your brew during different stages of the brewing process. A stick-on thermometer is often preferred because it can allow you
to take the temperature without having to put it directly in the mixture.
Bottling Bucket: Used to hold the mixture of the finished beer and the priming solution before bottling. Some bottling buckets come equipped with a spigot, making it easier to transfer the beer into bottles.
Beer Bottles and Capper: Used for the packaging and storage of your finished beer
Fermenter: A fermenter is basically any type of vessel that can be used to contain the beer as it is being fermented. A sturdy plastic bucket, pail or glass carboy are the most common types of fermenters.
Funnel and Strainer: Used to help transfer the contents of your brew pot into the fermenter.
Siphon Hose: Used to transfer your beer from the fermenter into the empty beer bottles. Clear plastic tubing should suffice, although some brewers choose to purchase an auto-siphon.
Airlock and Stopper: This handy device is used to prevent outside air from getting inside the fermenter, Brewing Equipment (Creative Commons photo taken by Michael Gorsuch)while at the same time allowing the carbon dioxide that is produced by
fermentation to escape.
Thermometer: Used to measure the temperature of your brew during different stages of the brewing process. A stick-on thermometer is often preferred because it can allow you
to take the temperature without having to put it directly in the mixture.
Bottling Bucket: Used to hold the mixture of the finished beer and the priming solution before bottling. Some bottling buckets come equipped with a spigot, making it easier to transfer the beer into bottles.
Beer Bottles and Capper: Used for the packaging and storage of your finished beer
Resources
