The Internet Homebrewing Guide

Many beer lovers have considered brewing their own beer at one time or another. Setting up a home brewery is a relatively simple task. With only four ingredients, home brewing is inexpensive, takes up very little space, and the only downside is the waiting period involved before the finished product can be enjoyed.

The four ingredients in beer are water, hops, malt, and yeast. Aside from these, the actual equipment used for brewing will need to be purchased.

• Stainless Steel Brew Kettle: Northern Brewer and Alternative Beverage are sources to purchase the kettle online. A basic large stock pot can be used as well.
• Large (5 gal.) food-grade plastic buckets used for the fermenting process. These can be purchased from any restaurant supply store.
• An airlock, vinyl tubing, and a spigot. These items can be found separately, although purchasing a home brewing kit can be a good idea since all of these will be included. Mr. Beer , The Home Brew Store , and Home Brew Heaven are all excellent resources for purchasing the items all together.

The rest of the items involve bottling. Bottles can be sanitized and reused. Caps and an instrument to put the caps on the bottles can be obtained through the Home Brew-it website.

Once the necessary equipment is purchased, the actual brewing process is pretty simple. If you can boil, stir, add ingredients, and use a timer, then you should be able to brew your own beer. The first four ingredients are the basics. There are literally thousands of recipes available, with added ingredients that range from honey and orange peel to Irish moss. The possibilities are endless.

Over 900 different beer recipes can be found at Beer Recipes . Recipes are divided by types and colors. Their active forum can also be a helpful resource for any questions that may come up.

When brewing and fermenting, proper sanitation is just as important as the list of ingredients. A chlorine solution and hot water are used to fully immerse all bottles, caps, and any containers that will come in contact with the brew. Without proper sanitation, bacteria can grow during the fermenting process, ruining the ale.

Home brewing can be a personal hobby enjoyed by family and friends, or can even turn into an exciting pastime that involves contests and organized events. And if you are in a pinch for time, your favorite beer lover would love to receive one of our Beer Gift Baskets no matter what the occasion. Whichever you choose, having the ability to brew your own ale will definitely be a hit with fellow beer loving friends.