| The techniques for beer brewing have become more | | | | the carboy into the bucket mentioned below. |
| refined as the technologies used have advanced over | | | | Item 4 - The bucket you need for putting your beer |
| the centuries. Most of the processes used in order to | | | | into should be able to hold at least 6 gallons of fluid |
| produce beer are relatively simple and so you can if | | | | and made from a food grade plastic only. This is |
| you want actually brew your own beer at home. Of | | | | where the beer is stored until it is time for you to |
| all the processes that are undertaken when brewing | | | | bottle and the easiest way of transferring the beer |
| beer the most important one of all is the | | | | from carboy to bucket and then to bottles is through |
| fermentation one. | | | | the use of a siphon made from plastic tubing. |
| However, if you want to, today you can actually | | | | Other items that one will need for brewing beer at |
| have a go at doing some home beer brewing for | | | | home are a raking cane, this connects to the siphon |
| yourself. A quick search of the internet and you will | | | | tube and will be used to prevent sediment being |
| find plenty of websites from which you can buy | | | | transferred from one container to the next. Also you |
| home a beer brewing kit. But there are certain other | | | | need a specialist valve that prevents the beer from |
| materials you will need to purchase first and we take | | | | being contaminated by outside elements but which |
| a look at what these are below. | | | | also allows carbon dioxide to escape as it is |
| Item 1 - The first thing you need to get for your kit | | | | fermenting. This should be one that fits comfortably |
| is a large stainless steel or ceramic coated pot. Ideally | | | | into the top of the Carboy. Generally what you find |
| this one should be able to hold more than 3 gallons of | | | | when you buy your Carboy this valve will be supplied |
| fluid and still have room inside. | | | | with it. |
| Item 2 - Next you need to get yourself a five gallon | | | | Other essential items which one needs to get as part |
| carboy (a large glass bottle) and will look similar to | | | | of a home beer brewing kit are a wooden spoon, a |
| bottles in which large amounts of water are sold. | | | | thermometer and some brewer's iodine solution. You |
| However, you cannot use the plastic ones it must be | | | | need a thermometer that allows you to read |
| made from glass as the hot liquid from the pot will be | | | | temperatures ranging between 40 and 150 degrees |
| placed in it to allow the mixture to ferment. | | | | Fahrenheit and the most suitable type is the stainless |
| Item 3 - A large funnel (plastic is preferable) and this | | | | steel dial one although a floating dairy one can be |
| is what you use to transfer the wort (brewing | | | | used if you want. The iodine solution is crucial as this |
| mixture) from the pot into the carboy. Also at the | | | | is what you sterilize all the equipment with both |
| same time you need to get yourself some plastic | | | | before and after you have brewed beer. |
| tubing which can be used to transfer the beer from | | | | |
