There are few pleasures in life to match a nice cold beer on a hot day, and a visit to their favorite bar for a couple of glasses of their chosen brew is an ideal way for many people to round off the working week.
However, prices can be a major sticking point for many, as price increases have taken a nights drinking to the level where it is now something that has to be balanced against cost. Although there are other reasons to be restrained when it comes to having a few drinks, such as the health benefits of drinking responsibly, many of us have come to the conclusion that there is no reason to pay higher prices when it just doesn’t seem 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.
Home brewery kits are not expensive. 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. Once you have the knack you will find that people are prepared to visit for a couple of drinks when the game is on they may be willing to pay and, if not, they’ll bring food to go with the drinks you serve up.
It is about more than just the end product though, a home brewery is a hobby. It is something that you occupy yourself with for a few hours a week, something that can lead to meeting lots of like-minded beer lovers through the joining of home brewing clubs, and, ultimately, something that you can enjoy.
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!
If you brew your own beer, or would like to start this great hobby… you need to acquaint yourself with the home beer brewing equipment that you will require. There are kits and tools of the trade for all skill levels, it’s just a matter of picking the right ones.
It is advisable for you to ask someone who works at the shop to help you if you need clarifications regarding home brewing products. Some kits will allow you to brew a small batch such as 5 gallons, and others will allow you to brew much larger batches (for the more experienced)… so before you start buying equipment willy nilly, decide on how much beer you would like to brew and that will determine what equipment you will need.
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.
Extra supplies that you might need include a siphon to transfer your beer to the bottling bucket, and then into the bottles. For bottling, you will also need bottle caps and a sturdy capper to properly seal your 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.
To control the temperature of your beer and therefore improve its quality and consistency, you need a thermometer that gives an accurate measurement. In addition, you should include a hydrometer in your list of beer making must-haves because this instrument keeps track of the beer wort’s density rather than water density. By doing so, the hydrometer is able to determine if the beer is fermented enough for bottling.
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 want 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, as with everything else in life, convenience costs. 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.
Paying for your own beer brewing supplies may not seem to make sense at first, as you will think to yourself that you could have a few nights worth of drinking for the same price and not have to go to the effort of ensuring that your brew tastes like it is supposed to. 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.
To some people, the idea of making their own beer is too much like hard work. That’s why we have major breweries to do it for us, is it not? 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. At first restaurant food seems better than anything you could possibly cook yourself, but, with a little practice, you soon develop your own recipes that are superior. It’s exactly the same with beer brewing.
As for the supplies you need, these can be found easily enough. In most towns you will find a store which has the necessary equipment and the right ingredients, and if you are not so lucky you will certainly find them on the Internet, often at a lower price. You can find out exactly what you need by doing a bit of online research. Like-minded beer lovers can be found in various beer brewing forums and they are always happy to give tips and recommendations to newcomers.
Beer brewing supplies come with instructions if you have never brewed beer at home before, it is worth following these closely to make sure you do not miss out an important step. The best way to learn how to do something right is to keep doing it and get the technique down. Once you have the basics learnt, you can then start deviating from the standard processes in order to make your own special recipes. Brewing your own beer may sound like too much hassle but its really worth the effort.
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!
