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Step 1
Find fresh hops at your local wine making or home brewing store. Buy hops online if fresh hops are not available in your area. Shop for hops that are green. Brown or yellow hops may be stale. Smell the hops before brewing to avoid cheesy-smelling beer hops that are past their prime. Ask your retailer if the hops have been refrigerated. Hops are perishable and spoil if not stored correctly.
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Step 2
Buy spring water or use well water to create the best tasting home brew. Avoid chlorinated water or distilled water. Chlorinated or city water creates an unpleasant taste in beer. Distilled water lacks the proper minerals and nutrients for yeast fermentation.
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Step 3
Purchase yeast made specifically for home brewing. Choose yeast for the quantity and type of beer you brew. Visit the White Labs or Wyeast Laboratories websites for information about yeast and to find retail locations in your area.
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Step 4
Shop for malt extract. It is sold in syrup or powdered forms at your local home brewing store. Find malt extract online through home brewing retailers or from companies who specialize in malt and sugar products.
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Step 5
Try a home brewing kit for your first attempt at making your own beer. To find a quality product, read reviews of the home brewing kits before purchasing. Ask advice from your local home brewing retailer or join an online forum dedicated to home brewing to find tips and product advice.
