How to Make Your Own Beer (and maybe start a micro-brewery)

I'd like to make my own brand of beer. How do I find out about that?

Aaahhhh…What could be better than a cold brewski on a hot day? How about a never ending supply? No deposit, no return…say, couldn't I make some at home? Well, yes you can. Especially if you're out of work, have time on your hands, space to dedicate to the brewery, and are up for learning new skills. This may just make you the envy of everyone at the softball game. And there might be a future in it, as a zymurgyist.

Although I don't think there's any stimulus money available for it, no matter how quickly you can get it shovel-ready.

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/linecon0/3393398853/

To find out if you have what it takes to brew at home start here; the national organization dedicated to the arts of home brewing.

America Homebrewers Association

736 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO 80302-5006

(303) 447-0816, 888-822-6273

Gary Glass, Director

With 15,000 members; and modest dues ($38 annually) they ..." strive to serve amateur and commercial brewers. Encourage the responsible consumption of beer as an alcohol-containing beverage..."

They publish Zymurgy, a bimonthly magazine. A goldmine of information for both beginners and experts. You might also want to take a look at The New Brewer, a sister publication.

Or check out some of the half dozen titles written by Charlie Papazian , founder and President of the AHA. He's written a half dozen books that would interest a home brewer.

The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing (Paperback)

by Charlie Papazian (Author)

Amazon.com lets you peek at the Table of Contents and discover what it really takes.

Beer lends itself to home production, but be sure it's legal in your state.

There are so many local clubs there's bound to be one near you. Finding a place to share your new interest and get advice can keep your enthusiasm high.

Initially starting to home brew requires four simple ingredients: water, grain (usually barley), hops and yeast. Kits can be readily purchased for under $100, but it's a hobby that starts small and has been known to consume its owners.

It can be economical, compared to the cost of a six pack. But if you get serious the costs can skyrocket, but then so can the quality.

You'll start with a pot for cooking; one that can hold several gallons of water where a cheesecloth bag containing a mix of grains will sit, in heated water, for about an hour. The hops, sugar and malt extracts are added and cooked; more water added, then everything is cooled quickly. You‘ll need a 5-gallon plastic barrel for fermentation. And hoses, carrying cool water, for cooling the beer rapidly. Yeast is then added…it's what creates the alcohol… the barrel vented and then you wait. About two weeks later you can pour the ‘almost ‘ beer into the second barrel, adding sugar which provides the essential carbonation that appears only after you open the bottles.

Bottling is the most labor intensive part of the process.

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/uberphot/2725436155/

During the two-week fermentation period, don't forget to check the vented barrels as Co2 can buildup and you don't want to wind up with beer flavored wallpaper.

Though it's not a huge investment in space or equipment there are many items you‘ll have to buy and store, so making your own in a confined space may not work. But if you've got a garage or an office that isn't used for much else you may have enough space.

A step by step instruction guide may be the easiest way to begin or find out if you're really interested in doing this. At this site there are several guides, along with photos and precise instructions.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-Beer/

They recommend that in addition to the pot and the barrels, you‘ll need:

• A Kitchen strainer - to strain grains and hops before going to the fermenter
• A Kitchen thermometer
• Large funnel
• Rolling pin - for crushing the grain
• 3 feet of clear poly-vinyl tubing - for siphoning and fermentation air lock
• Bottles - and caps or corks and wires

Certainly not the only supplier of all you'll need, but a broad inventory is available here.

Beer's traditions go as far back as 6000 B.C in the Middle East, which passed the basic techniques on to Europe. Nowadays, U.S. falls somewhere in the middle of the pack of countries in per capita beer consumption. Way behind the Czech Republic and Ireland.

But oh no... it's not that simple. Beer is not just beer. You‘ll have to decide what type of beer you'd like to brew; pilsener, lager, amber, wheat beer, ales, limbic, etc - the list is extensive. Finding recipes for your preferred style is no problem, but the degree of difficulty in reaching brewing perfection may be a lifelong challenge.

Nearly every country brews a local beer. And brewing has long histories in the countries with which it's traditionally associated, e.g., Belgium, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. Each has a fine reputation for several types. If you don't yet have a favorite, home brewing can be a great way to determine your preferences.

In Vietnam there's a product called fresh beer. It lasts only a day. Then a new batch is brewed. Maybe Bia Hoi is right up your alley.

There are so many people willing to share the love and experience of brewing it seems to be a great community to join.

Good luck... and drink responsibly.