A nice cold beer on a hot day – there are few things in life that are more pleasurable, and the best way to round off a hard days work is, in many peoples mind, a trip to their favorite bar to partake of a couple of glasses of their chosen brew.
Unfortunately though, the rising cost of beer over the years has resulted in lots of people having to think twice before indulging. The reason for these prices rises are well documented – taxes and the increased price of the raw materials, and though we understand that prices for everything rise over time, the speed at which it is has risen for beer has led many of us to think that maybe it just isn’t worth it.
The benefits of having a home brewery are clear to most people. However, there is a sense, as with many things, that it just isn’t the same. With well-stocked stores and bars all around them, some people simply think “Why should I bother to brew my own?”. However, as prices at the liquor store and the local bar climb ever higher, it is now more than ever an option to be considered. A home brewery allows you to have a few beers when you want at a price that suits your pocket.
Remember that home-brewed beer is not lesser than paid for beer; it is just a matter of trial and error. There are few of us who are skilled or lucky enough to have our first batch of home-brewed beer turn out to be just as good as, or better than, the frosty glasses of ale served up at our local tavern. Then, with some experimentation and a bit of persistence, you’ll be able to create a range of great beers, that are suited to your own particular tastes.
But you’re thinking – home brewery kits must be expensive? Well, not at all. In fact, when compared to how much you would normally spend watching a few games at a sports bar every month, they are positively cheap. But you think the atmosphere will be lacking? Not if you invite your friends around to watch the game and enjoy your home brew too. Believe me, by the time you’re producing a quality end product, you’ll have no shortage of people wanting to pay you a visit .
It is about more than just the end product though, a home brewery is a hobby. Rather than having a hobby that goes nowhere, the beer lover can enjoy the feeling of making something themselves, with the added advantage that no beer tastes finer than that which you have brewed to your own recipe. The endless variations that you can come up with will make it more fun than you could imagine, and all for a reasonable price.
Luke Porter is a home brewing beer enthusiast, and an expert author. You are invited to discover the simple secrets of brewing world class beer from the comfort of your home by reading his latest book, “Home Beer Brewing Secrets” available online today!
Having the time and confidence to brew your own beer at home is great, although first you will need to stock up on the all important brewing supplies. There are many possibilities on the market, and if you don’t know which kit is right for you, you could be in a lot off trouble on brewing day!
So before you start buying your equipment, you must decide on how much beer you will actually need to brew. No matter what quantity you are after, it must be known that your equipment can cater for that. Some kits will allow you to brew 5 gallons, whilst others have a much greater capacity. So when at your home brew store, make sure you read the instructions or talk to the owner about your needs!
Some equipment that you will require include a fermentation bucket, bottling bucket, plastic hose, airlock, brewing kettle, airlock, and other relevant items for both brew day and bottling day. Just remember that these items need to be used for brewing alone… this means that you should not use your brewing kettle to make spaghetti Bolognese the night after you brew your beer, as doing so will contaminate your equipment and spoil your beer when you try to brew a new batch in the future.
Furthermore, yo will need to transfer the wort from your fermenting vessel into your bottling bucket if you don’t have an all-in-one model. Your best bet is to use an automatic siphon system as it is more hygienic and you have less chance of spoiling your beer. Other than that, you will also require the right caps and a capper to get those caps onto the bottles.
Grains, malt extracts and yeast are also essential because they are basically the source of your beer. How would you produce beer without them? Similarly, if you want to add flavor to your home brew beer you need to put in flavorings and spices such as licorice stick, spruce essence and dried ginger root. Aside from these, hops such as Cascade Leaf Hops can also be used to add taste to your home made beer.
I know that the list goes on and on, and the more advanced you become, the more materials you will need. Some other handy items to have hanging around include a thermometer to keep the wort at a constant temperature for fermentation to take place. Then there is the hydrometer which will be used to measure the alcoholic content off your beer, and even tell you when the brewing process is complete.
Then most importantly, the proper cleansers and sanitizes to clean all of your equipment before you use it. Even the slightest microbe to infect your beer will result in a bung batch… so be thorough and follow the instruction.
In sum, brewing your own beer can be a whole lot of fun… but before you can engage in it you must know the 101 on home brew supplies.
If you desire to home brew beer, then you must have the correct home brewery supplies and equipment. Miss out on the essentials and you will have a random set off undesirables good for nothing!
Home brewing is something which has been popular for many years. Still, many are resolute that convenience is best for them and continue to drink only beer that they have paid for at a liquor store or at a bar. However, the thing about that kind of convenience is that you pay for it every time. It may not be much at the time, but add it up over a years worth of parties, games, dinners and nights out and it starts to amount to a lot.
The issue of paying an upfront sum for beer brewing supplies puts a lot of people off getting involved with it. They calculate that they could have a few nights at their local bar for the same cost and think to themselves that it would be a lot less effort to do so too. However, the more you think about it, the better an idea it becomes. OK, so the cost is a little bit more than a few crates, but once you’ve got the kit you can keep using it, and when you find your supplier, beer brewing supplies can make more quantity for your spending than you would be able to buy for the same amount.
As well as the initial costs, some people are put off home brewing because it sounds like a lot of effort. It must be better to just let the breweries take care of all of the behind the scenes stuff for us, right? Well, yes, the breweries are there to make your life easier, but think of it this way – it’s like eating out at a restaurant all of time compared to cooking at home yourself. The longer you keep practising, the better your beer will get, and before too long you will have your own recipe which will be customisable to give you the taste you want every time.
As for the supplies you need, these can be found easily enough. Most larger towns will have a specialist store that stocks the required equipment and ingredients, but don’t worry if your town doesn’t as there are plenty of suppliers on the internet. In fact, buying via the internet may be the best option anyway as the prices tend to be lower. Do a little online research first to find out what you need. Like-minded beer lovers can be found in various beer brewing forums and they are always happy to give tips and recommendations to newcomers.
Once you have bought the necessary equipment and supplies, you will just need to follow the instructions that come with them. It is simple enough, just remember not to miss out any of the steps. Hands on learning and regular practice is the best way to make progress. Eventually you will start amending it yourself as you experiment and find out what suits you. You’ll soon be viewing it less like hard work and more like fun!
Luke Porter is a home brewing beer enthusiast, and an expert author. You are invited to discover the simple secrets of brewing world class beer from the comfort of your home by reading his latest book, “Home Beer Brewing Secrets” – available online today!
categories: home brewery,home brewing,brew your own beer,beer brewing,home brew,beer,alcohol,parties,recreation
