Beer crafting is an ancient, yet growing art form. It’s a fun, cheap hobby that can be as complicated or as simple as you choose to make it. From a crisp Pilsner to a rich Barley Wine, you’ll discover a whole new world of flavor that will open up for your palate if you just take the time to taste it.
Beer is made with four basic ingredients: barley (or other grains), water, hops and yeast. Brewing is all about extracting sugars from the grain so that yeast can convert them to alcohol and carbon dioxide, creating beer. Brewers often use a combination of traditional and innovative ingredients to create unique flavors and aromas.
The first step in the brewing process is mashing. This is where the grist is mixed with water and heated to a temperature range from 100 degrees Fahrenheit up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the malt to soak up water, releasing its natural enzymes that break down starches into sugars. The brewer can manipulate the mashing temperatures to change how the starches are broken down, adding complexity to the final beer.
Once the mash is ready, the brewer adds it to a carboy and mixes in the yeast. Yeast is added in small amounts, as too much can overwhelm the fermentation process. The brewer then seals the carboy and moves it to a dark place where it will be free from the commotion of daily household activities for at least two weeks.
