| If you are beginning your adventures in home | | | | The most important tip for any home brewer, |
| brewing beer there are a few things that you should | | | | experienced or beginner, is to keep ALL your |
| know. | | | | equipment clean. More batches have been spoiled by |
| First off let's look at your water supply. Opinions are | | | | stray bacteria getting into the mix than any other |
| mixed if you can use tap water when producing beer. | | | | reason. There is absolutely no substitute for |
| Tap water is different all over the globe so to say all | | | | maintaining clean, sanitized equipment. Think of it this |
| tap water is acceptable would not be accurate. | | | | way; if undergoing surgery, you want the operating |
| However, most brewers believe that, if your local tap | | | | room and everyone in it to be a sterile as possible. |
| water is safe to drink and has no aftertaste or odor, | | | | The same principles apply in making beer! To make |
| you can use it to produce quality beer. If, on the | | | | sure that everything is perfectly clean use one of the |
| other hand, your local water has a funny taste or | | | | sanitizer products sold by the online beer suppliers |
| smell then you should either boil it prior to using it in a | | | | and follow the instructions to the letter. If this is not |
| brew mix, or buy spring water from the store. | | | | available, you can use a water/bleach mix but you |
| Another option may be to use a water filter that | | | | must leave it in contact with the surfaces for about |
| you can reuse with your normal drinking water. | | | | a half hour to ensure all bacteria has been killed. Also, |
| Maintaining an even temperature in the fermentation | | | | never, ever, use wooden products as they can |
| process is very important to the ultimate success of | | | | harbor bacteria even after the most thorough |
| the brew. In most mixes the temperature you need | | | | cleanings. |
| to maintain is specific to the yeast you use. Different | | | | Finally don't rush to drink your latest batch. The |
| strains of yeast ferment best at differing | | | | subtle flavors you have added will take time to |
| temperatures. A good rule of thumb, however, is to | | | | mature and come to fruition. If you are too impatient |
| never allow your mix to exceed 75 degrees | | | | and don't let your brew stand you are cheating |
| Fahrenheit (23.9 degrees Celsius) and hard to keep it | | | | yourself out of knowing what your beer could be. |
| at 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22.2 degrees Celsius). | | | | Always follow the recommendations of the recipe at |
| Again, the specific temperature your yeast will | | | | a minimum and, if you can stand it, then wait a week |
| require for best fermentation may well be very | | | | or two more. It is hard but you will be glad you did. |
| different. | | | | |
