Making Great Beer

Back in 2004, I decided that commercial beer just wasn't cutting it. It all seemed to taste the same and was way over priced for what you got!

I decided that it was time I researched making great beer at home. I hit the local brewing supplies shop figuring "surely it can't be too hard!"



The guy at the local brew shop assured me it was a piece of cake. So armed with a "home brew kit" and around 80 bucks lighter, I set out to make the best brew the world had seen! Four long weeks later and with the anticipation of a 16 year old on his first date, I cracked open the first bottle.

YUCK!!....It was so bad, I almost decided there and then that commercial beer wasn't that bad after all!!

I hit the internet in search of the Holy Grail.

WOW....talk about information overload!!

Most of the info was way too detailed or just when I thought I had it right in my head, I would read another blog or forum post that would completely contradict everything I had concluded.

Wind the clock on 6 years and 100's of hours of research later, I found that the secret to making great beer starts with the following basic steps:

1. SANITISATION. Make sure everything that comes in contact with your beer has been cleaned and rinsed thoroughly.

2. TEMPERATURE CONTROL. Try and control the fermentation temperature to the recommended range for the yeast you are using.

3. FRESH INGREDIENTS. Use the freshest ingredients you can find.

 Once you have mastered the above, fine tuning your brewing procedures and getting consistent results is the next hurdle.

These tips are just the beginning when uncovering the secrets to making great beer.

Remember, the world of brewing can be all consuming. It's like most worthwhile things in life..it's not learnt overnight and takes time to master but the results are amazing!! Making great beer really is simple once you get the hang of it - so don't give up!!