How To Brew Beer, Cider, Wine etc?
Hi there we have just moved into a cottage in the country and there is like a huge workshop shed in the back garden and we have decided to turn it into a home/micro brewery. Anyway there are alot of kits out there that supplies you with all the ingredients but there all like certain tastes and we want to create our own our own flavor to it, something unique. So is there any sites out there that can tell us all the equipment we need to but to create our own Beer, Ale, Cider, Wine etc and how to make it basically?
Too many to list in fact.
I would tell you to get a book on brewing. Wine is easier to do only because it requires less steps then beer. Of brewing relies upon yeast to eat sugar and create alcohol. How much alcohol it takes depends on how much sugar was at the begging and the yeast itself.
What come out in the end varied from batch to batch. These variances are usually due to increments but can also be things like the temperature at which it was brewed. Recipes are like opinions. There are about as many recipes as there are people brewing that recipe. Do not get so caught up in finding the exact one.
I would suggest you start by getting a kit. Follow the instructions and get an idea of what to expect. After this invest in some brewing equipment. The equipment is fairly minimal and are things like a plastic bucket and glass bottle. The entire setup can be obtained for under $100. The only real reoccurring costs you have is what you store the product in (this would be bottles).
The kit will give you an idea of what to do, give you step by step instructions and introduce you to brewing. If you have a beer kit it will most likely have extracts rather then grain. If you have a wine kit it will have concentrated juice instead of fruit. As you get more familiar with it you can invest in some extra equipment (a mesh bag for wine, a mashing tun for beer, etc). But for now take it slow and simple.
Try a few kits, see how you like them, get an idea of the differences in what you brew. Taste the wort (that is the raw stuff you brew) to see what it tastes like. After primary fermentation taste it again. And when you bottle it taste it a third time. Get a feel for what it is you are brewing and what it should taste like.
When you want to start on newer things you will already know how to brew and what it was like. It is not a difficult thing to do. But it can be very ominous to someone who has never brewed. You can also check out local homebrew shops, see if they have classes, or see if someone is willing to show you how they brew. Most brewers are quite proud of their work and would be very happy to demonstrate to you. It is possible they also have a local brewing club. There are plenty of places to get help.
there are TONS of home brew sights devoted to it
as for choices, home brew wiki is nicely organized:
References :
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Comment by Corvato — December 9, 2009 @ 5:10 am
Too many to list in fact.
I would tell you to get a book on brewing. Wine is easier to do only because it requires less steps then beer. Of brewing relies upon yeast to eat sugar and create alcohol. How much alcohol it takes depends on how much sugar was at the begging and the yeast itself.
What come out in the end varied from batch to batch. These variances are usually due to increments but can also be things like the temperature at which it was brewed. Recipes are like opinions. There are about as many recipes as there are people brewing that recipe. Do not get so caught up in finding the exact one.
I would suggest you start by getting a kit. Follow the instructions and get an idea of what to expect. After this invest in some brewing equipment. The equipment is fairly minimal and are things like a plastic bucket and glass bottle. The entire setup can be obtained for under $100. The only real reoccurring costs you have is what you store the product in (this would be bottles).
The kit will give you an idea of what to do, give you step by step instructions and introduce you to brewing. If you have a beer kit it will most likely have extracts rather then grain. If you have a wine kit it will have concentrated juice instead of fruit. As you get more familiar with it you can invest in some extra equipment (a mesh bag for wine, a mashing tun for beer, etc). But for now take it slow and simple.
Try a few kits, see how you like them, get an idea of the differences in what you brew. Taste the wort (that is the raw stuff you brew) to see what it tastes like. After primary fermentation taste it again. And when you bottle it taste it a third time. Get a feel for what it is you are brewing and what it should taste like.
When you want to start on newer things you will already know how to brew and what it was like. It is not a difficult thing to do. But it can be very ominous to someone who has never brewed. You can also check out local homebrew shops, see if they have classes, or see if someone is willing to show you how they brew. Most brewers are quite proud of their work and would be very happy to demonstrate to you. It is possible they also have a local brewing club. There are plenty of places to get help.
References :
Comment by TorxBit — December 9, 2009 @ 5:31 am
At the risk of seeming horribly old fashioned, I am going to suggest two books. You know, hard copy that has been bound, so it’s easy to take into the brewery.
Papazian, C. The New Complete Joy of Home Brewing.
Berry, CJJ. First Steps in Home Winemaking
Both have good instructions (other than Berry not insisting on food-safe plastic) and some excellent recipes. Happy brewing.
References :
Comment by oikos — December 9, 2009 @ 5:48 am
Homebrew is very easy. Most homebrew suppliers have demonstrations. Stay away from Kits from dept stores Agree, Papazians book is the homebrewers bible. There are a lot of great gadgets on-line. Get a beginners kit from your local homebrew supply. You will need a pot to boil your wort, a 6 gallon glass carboy as your fermenter can get a second 5 gallon carboy as a secondary fermenter. You will need bottles or kegs and cleaning equipment and solution. When homebrewing you are creating a living culutre and drinking the results of the spent culture. You will use 4 ingredients to start malt, water, yeast and hops. All 4 contribute to the flavor of your beer. The yeast, malts and hops you use will help you develop the uniqueness of your brew.
Go for it, it’s ez. When you want to step it up, go to a Brew on Premises where you brew your own on commercial equipment. That is a lot of fun and you really learn how to set up a state of the art homebrew system.
References :
Comment by moelsk — December 9, 2009 @ 5:54 am
It seems that everyone that answered your question before me, is absolutely correct and offered you excellent information!
One thing I’d like to add…and pass on to you, is the the National Teach A Friend To Home-brew Day, sponsored by the American Homebrewers Association.
Coincidentally, it is happening in November of this year so, if you really want to get a taste of how to home-brew, kindly check out the web site I have attached: http://www.beertown.org/events/teach/index.html
15 years home brewing experience.
Comment by Frank — December 9, 2009 @ 6:43 am