| Brewing beer at home is becoming more and more | | | | add honey - the choice is up to you! |
| popular. Not only is homebrew an affordable method | | | | Finally, the wort is added to a large vessel and yeast |
| of having a steady supply of beer on tap, it is also a | | | | is mixed in with it in order for the fermentation |
| way to experiment with your creativity and come up | | | | process to begin. The yeast breaks down the sugars |
| with some truly unique beer flavors and impress your | | | | that were extracted from the malt, and the result of |
| family and friends. Beer making is a time-tested | | | | this is alcohol (ethanol), carbon dioxide (CO2) and |
| age-old process, but in order to get started and be | | | | other byproducts. After a period of time that varies |
| successful, you will first need the right beer making | | | | depending on the type of beer brewed and yeast |
| equipment. | | | | used, the beer is then ready to be bottled. |
| In order to understand the items supplied in most | | | | Beer making equipment kits available for home use |
| beer making equipment kits, it is first useful to know | | | | are obviously quite different to the monolithic |
| a little bit about the beer brewing process. All brewing | | | | stainless steel vats and piping used in commercial |
| relies on a source of starch, which is typically | | | | plants. However, the basic principles in the process |
| provided by a malted grain. Barley, wheat or rye are | | | | are the same. Some typical home beer making |
| commonly used for this purpose. The grain is allowed | | | | equipment includes: |
| to germinate, which simply means that it undergoes a | | | | - a large vessel (usually plastic) for fermentation |
| period of inactivity during which time it develops | | | | - a thermometer for attachment to the outside of |
| spores or seeds. This process produces enzymes, | | | | the vessel to monitor and maintain desired |
| which convert the starch in the grain into sugars. | | | | temperature |
| Roasting can also take place at the germination | | | | - a hydrometer for measuring the specific gravity of |
| stage, with a resulting change in the final flavor and | | | | the beer to determine when it is ready for bottling |
| color of the beer. | | | | - plastic or glass bottles and bottle tops |
| The next stage in the beer-making process is to | | | | - a source of fermentable sugar |
| crush the grain so as to remove its outer husk and | | | | Sources of fermentable sugars can vary. A complete |
| expose the inner carbohydrates and starches. The | | | | beer making equipment kit can include "beer in a can", |
| grain is mixed with hot water in a mash tun, which is | | | | which is liquid malt extract. When added with water, |
| essentially a large vat. This step is known as mashing, | | | | the liquid malt extract produces wort. These kits are |
| and is vital for further conversion of starch into | | | | suitable for beginners as it is very easy to get |
| sugars. Conversion of starch into sugars is important | | | | started and no boiling is required. More advanced kits |
| because it is these sugars that undergo fermentation. | | | | contain both malt extract and hops, and requires the |
| When the mashing has been completed, the resulting | | | | two to be boiled together. |
| liquid is extracted from the mash. This liquid is known | | | | Home brewing beer is certainly an interesting and |
| as wort, a term you will hear used often in the home | | | | exciting area. With the right beer making equipment, |
| brewing industry. To give the beer its bitter flavor | | | | and a little bit of practise, it is possible for anyone to |
| and aroma, the wort is then boiled with hops. Other | | | | make a delicious, cold beer at home. There are many |
| things can be added to the wort at this point, and will | | | | options for customizing the brew, creating new |
| ultimately affect the final flavor of the beer. This is | | | | flavors and impressing your friends and family. |
| where your creativity comes into play - you can | | | | Brewing your own beer is cheaper than store-bought |
| experiment with various ingredients and create some | | | | beer, and who knows, you might find that it tastes |
| truly unique flavors. Some people add herbs, others | | | | better! |
