Beer crafting is a multi-layered craft full of complexities and nuances. But, at its core, beer is crafted from four simple ingredients: water, malt (barley), hops and yeast. Water makes up the majority of a batch, malt adds sweetness and color, hops provide bitterness and aroma and yeast turns sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. By manipulating these simple ingredients a brewer can create styles of beer that originated from around the globe.
The brewing industry has seen tremendous growth in the past decade as people have taken the plunge into making their own beer. There are a lot of different kits on the market that can help someone get started, but they all generally contain the same basics: a large pot, a fermenter and a sanitizer solution. A basic kit will cost you anywhere from $50 to $200 and can be upgraded over time.
The key to a good batch of beer is passionate brewing, record keeping, using fresh ingredients and maintaining proper sanitation. Keeping up with the latest trends and experimenting is also essential. But most importantly, always be open to what customers want. If they are asking for peanut butter stout, try your best to make it happen. This will ensure you keep your customers happy and coming back for more. Plus, your beer will taste a whole lot better when it is made with love. It isn’t rocket science, but it will make all the difference in the world.
