Home brewing is something which has been popular for many years. Still, many are resolute that convenience is best for them and continue to drink only beer that they have paid for at a liquor store or at a bar. However, as with everything else in life, convenience costs. As insignificant as the additional cost can seem at the time, it certainly becomes significant over the course of a years worth of sports games, parties and nights out.
The issue of paying an upfront sum for beer brewing supplies puts a lot of people off getting involved with it. They calculate that they could have a few nights at their local bar for the same cost and think to themselves that it would be a lot less effort to do so too. However, look at the situation beyond just a few weeks ahead and you’ll see that home brewing is a much better option. After the initial amount that you pay for the kit and supplies, which is little more than the cost of a few crates anyway, you’ll have the potential to make enough beer to see you through the next couple of months.
To some people, the idea of making their own beer is too much like hard work. That’s why we have major breweries to do it for us, is it not? Well, of course it is, but then again you could think of it this way – you can eat in a restaurant every night of the year, but you’ll save money and develop a skill if you cook your own meals. At first restaurant food seems better than anything you could possibly cook yourself, but, with a little practice, you soon develop your own recipes that are superior. It’s exactly the same with beer brewing.
Beer brewing supplies are easily sourced. In most towns you will find a store which has the necessary equipment and the right ingredients, and if you are not so lucky you will certainly find them on the Internet, often at a lower price. Do a little online research first to find out what you need. There are various beer brewing forums that are full of like-minded beer lovers who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.
Beer brewing supplies come with instructions if you have never brewed beer at home before, it is worth following these closely to make sure you do not miss out an important step. The best way to learn how to do something right is to keep doing it and get the technique down. Once you have the basics learnt, you can then start deviating from the standard processes in order to make your own special recipes. You’ll soon be viewing it less like hard work and more like fun!
Luke Porter is a home brewing beer enthusiast, and an expert author. You are invited to discover the simple secrets of brewing world class beer from the comfort of your home by reading his latest book, “Home Beer Brewing Secrets” – available online today!
categories: home brewery,home brewing,brew your own beer,beer brewing,home brew,beer,alcohol,parties,recreation
Posted 2 years, 3 months ago at 4:41 am. Add a comment
There are few pleasures in life to match a nice cold beer on a hot day, and the best way to round off a hard days work is, in many peoples mind, a trip to their favorite bar to partake of a couple of glasses of their chosen brew.
However, prices can be a major sticking point for many, as price increases have taken a nights drinking to the level where it is now something that has to be balanced against cost. The reason for these prices rises are well documented – taxes and the increased price of the raw materials, and though we understand that prices for everything rise over time, the speed at which it is has risen for beer has led many of us to think that maybe it just isn’t worth it.
People have been aware of the benefits of having a home brewery for some time now. However, there is a sense, as with many things, that it just isn’t the same. Some people feel that it is just too much effort when it is readily available in stores and bars all around them. Times are changing though and the sky high prices in local bars and liquor stores mean that the money saving benefits of a home brewery are too big to ignore any longer. Being able to have a few beers whenever you want and at a price that suits you is becoming an increasingly popular prospect.
It is just a myth that paid for beer is better than home-brewed beer. With a little trial and error, home brew can be even better than that stocked in your favorite bar. There are few of us who are skilled or lucky enough to have our first batch of home-brewed beer turn out to be just as good as, or better than, the frosty glasses of ale served up at our local tavern. However, with persistence and experimentation, it is possible to brew beer to suit our own tastes.
Home brewery kits are not expensive. Certainly so, when compared to what you would spend on a months worth of trips to your sports bar to watch a couple of games at a time, you can begin to see big savings very quickly. Once you have the knack you will find that people are prepared to visit for a couple of drinks when the game is on they may be willing to pay and, if not, they’ll bring food to go with the drinks you serve up.
It is about more than just the end product though, a home brewery is a hobby. Rather than having a hobby that goes nowhere, the beer lover can enjoy the feeling of making something themselves, with the added advantage that no beer tastes finer than that which you have brewed to your own recipe. The endless variations that you can come up with will make it more fun than you could imagine, and all for a reasonable price.
Luke Porter is a home brewing beer enthusiast, and an expert author. You are invited to discover the simple secrets of brewing world class beer from the comfort of your home by reading his latest book, “Home Beer Brewing Secrets” available online today!
Posted 2 years, 3 months ago at 9:29 am. Add a comment
If you brew your own beer, or would like to start this great hobby… you need to acquaint yourself with the home beer brewing equipment that you will require. There are kits and tools of the trade for all skill levels, it’s just a matter of picking the right ones.
So before you start buying your equipment, you must decide on how much beer you will actually need to brew. No matter what quantity you are after, it must be known that your equipment can cater for that. Some kits will allow you to brew 5 gallons, whilst others have a much greater capacity. So when at your home brew store, make sure you read the instructions or talk to the owner about your needs!
When buying buckets for fermentation, make sure they are specifically designed to ferment your wort into drinkable beer. A fermentation bucket will include an airlock as not to let any air in that can spoil your unfermented beer. Moving along, some fermentation buckets come with a spigot, whilst others don’t. If you happen to have a fermentation bucket without a spigot, then simply buy a bottling bucket that has a spigot for ease of use. A spigot allows easier transfer of beer into the bottles on bottling day.
In addition to the above, you need a siphon in order to transfer your fermented beer from the fermenting bucket to your bottling bucket. Automatic siphons are good home brew supplies because they are more sanitary than non-automatic ones. Quality cappers and caps are also items that you should add to your home brewing kits.
Then there are your actual ingredients to make the beer that you desire, as without these basic building blocks, you have the capacity to brew nothing at all. Apart from the basic ingredients off yeast, water, hops, and malt… you might like to experiment with different flavorings such as chili, or licorice to really spice things up and create a truly unique brew!
A couple of other essential items to have in our home brewing kit is a thermometer and hydrometer. The best thermometer is one that sticks to your fermentation bucket from the outside, allowing you to check on the beer’s temperature as you go through the fermentation process. The hydrometer is of-course to determine your freshly brewed beer’s alcoholic content.
Then most importantly, the proper cleansers and sanitizes to clean all of your equipment before you use it. Even the slightest microbe to infect your beer will result in a bung batch… so be thorough and follow the instruction.
In sum, brewing your own beer can be a whole lot of fun… but before you can engage in it you must know the 101 on home brew supplies.
If you want to home brew beer, then you must have the right home brewery supplies and equipment. Miss out on these and you will have a random set off things good for nothing!
Posted 2 years, 3 months ago at 1:08 pm. Add a comment
