If you’ve been to a homebrew shop or have read a book on the subject, then you know that there are a ton of ways to make your own beer. And the best part is that if you’re careful, it’s actually really easy to learn how to brew. That’s what we’re going to do in this post. We’ll start by going over all of the basics you need to know before starting your first batch, and then we’ll step through the process as you watch.
Gather Your Equipment
Sure, you can get a starter kit or you can build your own equipment. But, if you have the right tools, you can make a great beer just using items that you already have at home.
The first thing you need to know about brewing is that you need a pot for boiling water and a stove. If you already have one of these in your kitchen, then you’re good to go. You also need a carboy and two airlocks (one for the fermenting beer and one for the finished beer). These are all things that you can purchase at most homebrew shops or online. You are also going to need a recipe.
Brew Your Beer
Once you have all of the equipment ready, it’s time to brew your first batch of beer. When you first brew your beer, it’s always best to start with a one-gallon batch. This allows you to learn more about how the process works and what goes into it. However, once you’re comfortable with the process, you can brew bigger batches.
Start by adding your malt extract and water to a pot and heating it over medium heat for about five minutes. Stirring the mixture constantly will help prevent any unwanted bacteria from taking hold of the beer. After the five minutes is up, add your hops to the pot. Stir the mixture again and then let it boil for 30 minutes.
Ferment Your Beer
After you’ve boiled your beer, you’ll need to remove the pot from the stove. You’ll need to let the mixture cool for about five minutes before putting your airlocks on the pot. This step is important, as it helps to sterilize the airlock and the inside of the carboy. After you’ve added your airlocks, you’ll need to store your beer in a warm place for a few weeks. The temperature should be about 70 degrees Fahrenheit during this period of time. When your beer is finished fermenting, you’ll want to transfer it to a keg or bottle for storage.
Bottling Your Beer
Once you have your beer in a bottle, it’s time to carbonate it. This is the final step in brewing beer and allows your beer to go from liquid to fizzy goodness. After you’ve carbonated your beer, you’ll want to let it sit in the fridge for about two months to allow the carbonation process to continue.
