Learn How to Brew Your Own Beer

From the simple mistake of spilling grain in the water bucket tens of thousands of years ago, beer was made. From then on, the rest is history. Interestingly enough, there is not much difference in the process even during the present. While many people may think that brewing their own beer requires expensive equipment and extensive knowledge, the process is relatively simple and cheap. There are a few things to keep in mind when brewing your own beer that will give you a product that is not only comparable to store bought beverages, but maybe even better.



Equipment

Beer making equipment can be found at all home brew shops as well as many places online. The first basic necessity for beer making is a fermenting vessel, which consists of a glass tumbler or jar of at least six gallons. Next, you will need a boiling pot of at least three gallons. After you have secured these items, you will need bottles when it comes time to bottle your beer as well as a capper, another six gallon bucket (food grade) with a grommet, a funnel, and six feet of one-half inch surgical tubing. These items are the most basic things that one will need and should be purchased before beginning the brewing process. Once these items are bought, you can then begin to purchase your materials.

Ingredients

To make a basic brew, one should start out with six pounds of malt extract in dry or liquid form. Next, obtain two to four ounces of hops and a package of brewer's yeast. Finally, you will need approximately one pound of dry malt extract for bottling. After your ingredients are purchased, you are ready to begin your first brew.

Brewing

First, fill up your boiling pot with one and one-half gallons of water and bring to a boil. After the water is boiling, add your malt extract to the boil and two ounces of hops. After the wort has been boiling for one hour, add the other two ounces of hops and take the pot off of the heat. While the wort is cooling, fill your sanitized glass tumbler with three and one-half gallons of water. Add the wort to the fermenting vessel that contains the three and one-half gallons of water and let it cool below seventy eight degrees. After the wort has cooled under seventy eight degrees, add the packet of yeast. Wait two weeks, transfer the wort into your sanitized filling bucket, bottle (sanitize the bottles) and let the beer mature for two weeks. After two weeks in the bottle, you are ready to drink your brew.