There are many different ways to brew beer, but the basic process involves a few simple ingredients and four main steps. Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced brewer, beer crafting is easy, inexpensive, and will most likely produce a much better product than that watery canned stuff you find at the supermarket.
The basics:
Before you can brew, you’ll need to make sure that you have the necessary equipment. This will include a home brewing kit, a mash tun, a fermentation tank, and a carboy or keg for the final product.
Keeping it clean:
Before we get started, you’ll need to make sure that all of your equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. This will help ensure that there is no bacteria or other nasties present in your beer when it’s finished.
Ingredients:
The basic ingredients of beer are hops, grains (or malt extract), yeast, and water. Each of these ingredients has a distinct effect on the taste and overall brewing process.
Grains:
Barley, wheat, oats, and rye are the most common types of grain used in making beer. Typically, they’re ground or milled to break open the husks, allowing the enzymes within the starch to become visible and activated during the mashing process.
Yeast:
The most important aspect of the brewing process is the yeast, which converts sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The type of yeast that you use will determine the style of beer that you’ll make.
