| Homebrewing beer kits are the best way to learn | | | | - Beer Bottles. These are simply where you beer will |
| the art of home brewing. These kits are simple to | | | | be stored after you take it out of the fermenter. |
| use and can go a long ways with introducing | | | | - Air lock. An airlocks function is to let CO2 out and |
| someone to the theory of home brewing. The | | | | to keep outside air from entering your fermenter. |
| brewing kits available today include everything you | | | | - Hydrometer. This tool measures the specific gravity |
| will need to get through the entire process of making | | | | of a liquid relative to water, it can also tell you the |
| your own beer at home. This means there's no need | | | | sugar content and the expected alcohol content. |
| to search around for different parts and ingredients. | | | | - Yeast. This is the micro-organism that feeds on the |
| So don't worry about not knowing what is needed to | | | | sugar in your wort. The by-product of this is alcohol |
| get started. Brewing beer from these extract kits | | | | and CO2. |
| has been compared to making soup from a can. This | | | | - Extract kit. This is typically a liquid extract that |
| is because the basic process is simply this: | | | | usually has hops added. |
| - Heat tap water or bottled spring water | | | | - Carbonation drops for bottle conditioning. These are |
| - Add the hopped extract and sugar (or other | | | | included in some kits, others specify to add table |
| fermentable) and mix | | | | sugar. This is what gives your homebrew its |
| - Add cold water, ensure wort is cooled to the | | | | carbonation in the bottle. |
| proper temperature, then add yeast and seal in | | | | These brewing kits are put together and designed |
| Fermenter | | | | for ease-of-use, so you can enjoy brewing multiple |
| - Let your wort ferment for about 5 to 7 days | | | | beer batches and enjoy the hobby for years to |
| - Bottle and add sugar or carbonation drop | | | | come. Homebrew beer kits include detailed |
| - Enjoy beer after about 14 days (the longer the | | | | instructions so you will learn how the entire process |
| better) | | | | of homebrewing actually works. Another wonderful |
| As you can see, there are just a few steps to | | | | thing about these kits is that, for the most part, you |
| brewing beer from an extract kit. Here's some of the | | | | can utilize this same equipment for more advance |
| homebrew equipment included in most kits: | | | | methods of beer brewing as well as wine making. |
| - Detailed instructions booklet or a DVD. These will | | | | These kits can turn into a fun activity that you and |
| give you a step by step procedure on how to put | | | | your friends can enjoy. I've had a lot of fun drinking |
| together your first batch of beer. They also help | | | | my homebrews with my friends and showing them |
| educate you on the simple chemistry behind beer | | | | the process. You'll be surprised how much brewing |
| brewing. | | | | knowledge you'll have to share after doing your first |
| - Primary fermenter. This is the vessel that | | | | batch of homebrew. |
| fermentation takes place in. | | | | |
