SUPPLIES
- Malt extract
- Hops
- Yeast
- Distilled water
- Sugar
- Fermenter
- Brew pot
- Funnel and strainer
- Siphon hose
- Bottling bucket
- Bottles
- Capper and caps
Overview
Brewing beer from home has become much easier in recent years, thanks to the rise in microbrewing and the ease of obtaining the proper equipment. For beer lovers, it makes for a fun activity, and those serious about brewing can refine the process to create exceptionally good microbrews. Sanitary conditions are paramount, and you'll need to select your ingredients with care, but beyond that, the process of making homemade beer brew is very simple.
Step 1
Decide on the type of beer you want and select a recipe that fits it. You can find excellent recipes at BeerRecipes.org, and companies such as Perfect Brewing Supply sell ready-to-use kits (which are recommended for first-time brewers).
Step 2
Cleanse all of your equipment by scrubbing it with soap and hot water. Then soak it briefly in 1 oz. of bleach mixed in with 5 gallons of water and 1 oz. of white vinegar. Rinse the bleach away with distilled water until you are sure the bleach is all gone.
Step 3
Add 3 gallons of distilled water to a brew pot and let it bubble for 30 minutes. Then shut off the heat and stir the malt extract into the water. Keep stirring until the malt has blended with the water completely (no big chunks).
Step 4
Bring the malt/water mixture to a boil again and slowly add the hops over the course of 1 hour. The amount you add and the time you add them will affect the flavor of the beer. (Hops added later will produce more flavor and less bitterness.) Stir the mixture as you add the hops.
Step 5
Fill a sink with water and ice cubes--as cold as you can make it. Once the mixture has boiled for an hour, take it off the heat and place it in the icy water until you can touch the side of the brew pot safely. The faster the mixture cools, the better.
Step 6
Pour the resulting mixture through a strainer into the fermenter and add another 5 gallons of distilled water. Stir in the yeast and don't be afraid to get a little messy. Mild splashes will help oxygenate the yeast.
Step 7
Close the fermenter and seal the airlock, then place it in a cool, dark place away from any sunlight. Allow it to remain there for another 7 to 10 days.
Step 8
Check on the fermenter periodically, paying particular attention to the activity in the airlock. When the bubbles slow down significantly and the mixture is clear, it's probably ready to be bottled.
Step 9
Boil 3/4 cup of sugar in 2 cups of distilled water and let it boil for at least 15 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Then pour it into a bottling bucket.
Step 10
Pour the beer into the bottling bucket from the fermenter using a funnel and hose. Stir the contents for 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 11
Pour the beer into bottles and cap them with a capper. Let the bottles sit at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, then place them in the refrigerator. Once they're cold, you can drink them as normal.
TIPS AND WARNINGS
- TIP : Be ready for a little trial-and-error when brewing your own beer. Like everything else, it takes practice to get it right. The more you work on it, the more adept you'll become at hitting the perfect blend of time and ingredients.
- WARNING : Sanitize everything you use when you brew your own beer. The bleach works wonders in killing germs, but you need to make sure it's completely rinsed off before you begin. It's probably the most important part of the process.
Resources
