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Brewing Beer

as a hobby

Brewing is our greatest act of rebellion.

Randy Mosher

Brewing beer is a fun and rewarding hobby that allows you to make your own delicious and unique beverages. You can enjoy the benefits of saving money, improving your health, learning new skills, and meeting new people. To get started, you need some basic equipment, ingredients, and instructions. You can find everything you need online or at your local homebrew shop.

Helpful content to get started

We curated content to familiarize you with brewing beer as a hobby and to inspire and help you get started.

We strive for accuracy, but errors may occur. Always use your judgment.

Refer to the listed resources for further research.

Short visual inspiration.

Homebrewing for Beginners: How to Make Beer at Home
YouTube | Homebrewing for Beginners: How to Make Beer at Home
How To Brew Your First Homemade Beer
YouTube | How To Brew Your First Homemade Beer
HOME BREWING 101: How to Brew Beer at Home [The Beginner's Guide]
YouTube | HOME BREWING 101: How to Brew Beer at Home [The Beginner’s Guide]
HOW TO HOMEBREW FOR BEGINNERS (Malt Extract)
YouTube Playlist | HOW TO HOMEBREW FOR BEGINNERS (Malt Extract)
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Spotify Embed: 07-14-05 Basic Brewing Radio - Intro to Homebrewing I
Spotify | 07-14-05 Basic Brewing Radio – Intro to Homebrewing I
Spotify Embed: How to Brew Beer with Midwest’s David Kidd and Nick Stephan – BeerSmith Podcast #47
Spotify | How to Brew Beer with Midwest’s David Kidd and Nick Stephan – BeerSmith Podcast #47
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Basic lingo for orientation.

  • Wort: The liquid that is produced by mashing and boiling the malted grains.
  • Mash: The process of mixing crushed malted grains with hot water to extract the sugars and other components.
  • Sparge: The process of rinsing the mash with hot water to collect the remaining sugars and wort.
  • Boil: The process of boiling the wort for a certain period of time, usually 60 to 90 minutes.
  • Hops: The cone-like flowers of the hop plant that are used to add bitterness, flavor, and aroma to beer.
  • Fermentation: The process of converting the sugars in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide by the action of yeast.
  • Gravity: A measure of the density or concentration of sugars in the wort or beer.
  • Pitching: The process of adding yeast to the wort to start fermentation.

Term Videos

How to break the ice and make a start.

Visit a local small distillery. Learn about the brewing process, get tips and advice, and make some connections for your beer brewing journey.

When you feel ready, buy a starter kit. It is a practical and cheap way to check if you enjoy brewing beer.

First Steps Videos

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Nothing like a film for inspiration.

Movie Trailers

Brewmaster (2018) | Official Trailer HD
YouTube | Brewmaster (2018) | Official Trailer HD
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Get a clue.

What are the basic steps of brewing beer?

• Brewing: Boil water, add malt extract and hops and cool the wort.
• Fermenting: Transfer the wort to a fermenter, add yeast, seal, and store.
• Bottling: Transfer the beer to bottles, add sugar, cap, and store.
• Conditioning: Wait for the beer to carbonate and mature.

How long does it take to brew beer?

It depends on the type and style of beer you are brewing, as well as the method and equipment you are using. Generally, it takes about 2 to 4 hours for brewing, and 1 to 4 weeks for fermenting and conditioning.

How much space do I need to brew beer?

You need a stove, a large pot, a fermenter, a bottling bucket, bottles, and a dark and cool place to store them. A kitchen or a garage can work well.

What is the difference between ale and lager?

Ale and lager are two main categories of beer. Ale uses top-fermenting yeast at warmer temperatures, lager uses bottom-fermenting yeast at cooler temperatures. Ales are fruitier and more complex, lagers are more crisp and clean.

How to buy a decent kit?

Starter kits have everything for brewing beer. They are easy and cheap and have instructions and recipes. You can find many kits on Amazon with good reviews. You can read the reviews and compare the kits to find the best one.

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Additional advice for beginners.

  • Start with a simple and proven recipe that matches your taste and skill level. You can find many recipes online or in books, or you can buy a ready-made kit that includes all the ingredients and instructions.
  • Invest in some quality equipment that suits your budget and space. You don’t need a lot of fancy gadgets to brew beer, but you do need some basic items such as a brew pot, a fermenter, a siphon, a thermometer, a hydrometer, and a sanitizer. You can also upgrade or add more equipment as you progress and experiment.
  • Follow the instructions carefully and pay attention to the details. Brewing beer is both an art and a science, and it requires some precision and patience. Make sure you measure your ingredients accurately, sanitize your equipment thoroughly, control your temperature and time consistently, and record your process and results diligently.
  • Learn from your mistakes and keep improving. Brewing beer is a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, but it can also be challenging and frustrating at times. Don’t be discouraged by failures or flaws, but use them as opportunities to learn and improve. Seek feedback from other brewers, read books and articles, watch videos and podcasts, and join clubs and forums to expand your knowledge and skills.
  • Have fun and share your beer with others. Brewing beer is not only a hobby, but also a passion and a lifestyle. Enjoy the process of creating something that you and others can enjoy. Share your beer with your friends, family, and fellow brewers, and celebrate your achievements and discoveries.

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