Make Beer

C85C2C244A0Cff262Ea47D66.Medium
Imarunner writes "So, you've considered brewing your own beer but you're not yet willing to drop the cash for the entry level kit just yet. With a few simple pieces of equipment and ingredients here's how you can brew your own mini batch. In just a couple of weeks you can taste for yourself if homebrewing is a hobby you want to take to the next level. Don't get me wrong, I think the entry level brew kits are a good value. They include some special equipment not used here that will make things easier. But, will you enjoy the beer or find the brewing process rewarding? I think so. This project will allow you to find out for yourself." - Link.


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Posted by: milleker on May 4, 2006 at 8:27 PM

Good instructable, especially if it gets the masses out there and brewing! I'm a little saddened by how little the creator tells the reader that sanitation is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY! Rubber gloves and a hairnet are not over the top for brewing. Bleach works in a pinch, since this is one step you dont want to skip, go to your local brewer shop and get some specialized sanitation powder for a few bucks.

Dont add ICE to your wort unless you have frozen it yourself with filtered water! The stuff that comes in the bags at grocery stores and gas stations have all sorts of crap frozen inside them. My favorite way (beyond buying an immersion chiller) is to only use 1/2 the water for mashing. The other water should be in the fridge or freezer getting COLD. Fill the sink with ice and water, set in the pot, add the COLD, filtered water to bring yourself up to your target liquid level.

TIP: Be warned, mashing will STINK up your house/apartment!

TIP: When making the wort, use a simple throwaway cotton satchel and put your crushed grains in there, makes cleanup a breeze.. SANITIZE IT! Available at brew shops.. Cheap.

TIP: On *rare* occasions the fermentation process can actually suck in air through the bubbler. This results in the warm, possibly bacteria filled water to seep into the mix. Buy a bottle of the cheapest vodka you can find and fill your bubbler with that. If the bacteria in your home can survive a vodka bath, you might want to consider moving out of the neighborhood.

Last TIP: If you are only using 1/2 of your Yeast, shake it well to get them all in suspension. Dont want to pitch off most of the water content leaving most of the yeast on the bottom of the container.


Posted by: RTourn on May 4, 2006 at 11:18 PM

I like DIY projects, I like Beer, it all makes sense!


Posted by: DGary on May 5, 2006 at 9:08 AM

my personal favorite recipe is Nightingale Dopplebock

although I change the recipe slightly, and I age for several months in the low 50's

what initially tastes like soy sauce ages to a nice creamy smooth almost nutty flavor

and while it sounds like a lot of work, it is a very forgiving recipe, was actually my second ever beer, and one I make whenever the fridge in the garage is empty enough to stash a 5 gallon jug in.


I use an enameled propane turkey frier from lowe's to boil my wort and I give it a reverse ice bath, putting the pot into a tub of ice water (generously salted, thank you mythbusters)

and I don't boil inside, boilover is a horrible sticky mess that will ruin anything short of concrete.


Posted by: casper on December 23, 2007 at 11:37 AM

i'm 15 and want to do this. is there any way to do this more secretly?


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