Home Beer Brewing Tips

For those who love the taste of micro breweries, there is now a way to make beer from the comfort of their own homes through the creation of a home brewery set.  The cost of such a set can be as expensive as close to three thousand dollars for an automated home brewery system, but much less expensive home brewery equipment can be found for much less money, often less than two hundred dollars.  Most of the home brewery set does not have to be special ordered but can be found in many kitchen specialty stores.

Equipment

There are some pieces of equipment needed for a home brewery set that individuals may already have in their kitchens.  Small bowls, oven mitts and pot handlers, large mixing spoons that are either stainless steel or plastic, and a rubber spatula are just a few of the common household items that are needed.  In addition, a saucepan is needed for some of the brewing process.

Another piece of equipment in a home brewery set is a stick-on thermometer which can be found at a local fish supply store, such as the kind that sticks onto fish tanks to measure the temperature.  This thermometer will be used on the primary fermenter, which is composed of a couple different things.  The primary fermenter is one of the most important and specialized pieces of equipment in the home brewery set since it is what helps the wort to begin to turn into beer through the first of the fermenting process.  This should hold at least seven gallons of wort and must have an airtight airlock and stopper.  This allows the carbon dioxide to be let out of the fermenter while refusing to allow air to come into the fermenter from the outside.  If the carbon dioxide is not allowed out, the fermenter would explode, but if the air is let in then the fermentation process is not ruined.

Other than this, the other items can possibly be things that are already on hand, such as a pot to boil the ingredients in to make the wort.  This brewpot must be made of stainless steel and must be in good condition, holding at least sixteen quarts.  If the large pot is not stainless steel or if it is enamel covered metal but it is chipped, it is no good for a home brewery set because the beer will end up tasting like the metal.  The bottles ofr the beer should be made of glass and should be darker colored, such as a dark brown to preserve the taste of the beer.

	Mr. Beer Premium Gold Edition Home Brew Kit List Price: $59.99 Sale Price: $49.99 Average Rating:
	Everything required to brew 2 batches (4 gallons) of beer at home. Includes: brew keg, 2 standard refill brew packs (Classic American and Cowboy Lager), 8 re-usable 1-liter bottles w/caps and labels, Brewing w/Mr. Beer Booklet and easy to follow instructions.

Mr. Beer Premium Edition Home Microbrewery System List Price: $50.00 Sale Price: $35.00 Average Rating:

Make your own premium beer at a fraction of the cost of store bought beer. Brew your own beer in 14 days (7 days to ferment and 7 days to carbonate), simple, fun, and inexpensive. Makes a case of premium beer. Includes a Mr. Beer Brew Keg with lid, West Coast Pale Ale beer mix, 8-1 liter PET bottles, Booster Pack for flavor enhancement and alcohol boost, One-Step Cleanser to clean and disinfect brewing and bottling equipment, Mr. Beer Brewer's Guide inclusive of brewing tips, recipes, and the most frequently asked questions to get the most out of your Mr. Beer brewing system. Simple 4-step instructions. In just 14 days, beginning and advanced brewers alike can enjoy a glass of premium, handcrafted beer with this home-brewing kit. The 2-1/2-gallon brew keg features a pour tap and wide-mouthed lid for easy cleaning by hand. Included with this microbrewery kit are a can of West Coast Pale Ale mix, which produces a mild, full-bodied beer, a single-use packet of booster, which contains all-natural carbohydrates that enhance flavor and boost alcohol content, and brewer’s yeast. The beer-making ingredients are simply mixed with water, left to brew in the keg at room temperature for a week, and then put into the kit’s eight one-liter PET bottles for another week, during which time natural carbonation takes place. No CO2 cartridges are needed to enhance sparkle or beer head. Plastic bottle caps and labels are also included, as well as an instruction booklet full of brewing tips and recipes. Other Mr. Beer mixes and booster packs can be ordered separately. The keg is made of FDA-compliant PVC, which does not impart taste or color and is virtually indestructible. --Ann Bieri