| Setting up a Fermenter for Fermentation | | | | another step |
| It really helps to contain some information on the | | | | When brewing your own beer, the brew pot needs |
| fermentation process and have a high quality | | | | to be large, and it needs to be made out of stainless |
| fermenter that can retain a constant temperature at | | | | steel - aluminum will not work. The fermenter needs |
| all times. | | | | to be a superior quality, one made out of plastic that |
| Fermentation is basically the making of alcohol which | | | | will not allow any bacteria or germs to enter in. The |
| is done by mixing sugar, yeast and water. Yeast is a | | | | fermenter also needs to be air tight and have a |
| living organism and if the water is kept at the correct | | | | reasonably large capacity. The primary fermenter is |
| temperature the yeast cells will go to work on the | | | | where all the action starts; and needs to hold at least |
| sugar and react in a way that creates a combination | | | | 26 liters and must have an air tight seal. |
| of fifty /fifty alcohol and carbon dioxidedioxide | | | | Yeasts occur in a variety of styles, each developed |
| (which normally gets shaken out of the solution | | | | for a certain style of alcoholic beverage. There are |
| during the fermentation process). Alcohol strength | | | | lager yeasts, yeasts used for pilsners, and several |
| can be varied by the various types of yeast so you | | | | varieties of yeast for ale, and barley wine styles. |
| really do have complete control over the finished | | | | Each yeast variety has unique qualities that impact on |
| product. Anyone new to the hobby would probably | | | | the final flavor and aroma of the beer. The main |
| be better off starting with a kit as you merely follow | | | | difference between yeasts used for lagers and ales |
| the instructions | | | | is that ale yeast is a top-fermenting yeast which |
| Hygiene is very important for the equipment used, | | | | means the yeast floats to the top and hangs there |
| and sterilization has to be carried out on all containers | | | | during most of the fermentation process. Lager |
| previous to each fermentation process. If any | | | | yeast is bottom-fermenting yeast which means it sits |
| bacteria are present in the liquid, it can make the | | | | around the base of the fermenter. During both types |
| fermenting process an unpleasant one. It is also | | | | of fermentation the active yeast does pass through |
| important to note that cleaning and sanitizing are two | | | | the brew and eventually settles out on the bottom |
| different steps. Cleaning is the initial phase, sanitizing is | | | | of the fermenter when it is done. |
