How to Brew the Perfect Beer

Water, malted grain, brewer's yeast and hops--these are the simple, basic ingredients of beer. Malted grain (often barley) is grain that has been moistened to cause it to sprout, but then dried before the plant develops. Malt is the sugar the yeast will use to produce the alcohol in the beer, in a process called fermentation. Hops are flowers that add a slightly bitter flavor and pleasant aroma.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sanitizing agent
• Kettle (5 gallon or more)
• Fermenting and bottling vessels (buckets with lids or a specialized brewing carboy)
• Water, hops, dry brewer's yeast, malt extract, corn sugar
• Airlock, racking cane, siphon hose
• Measuring cup, large spoons, funnel
• Beer bottles, caps, bottle capping device

1. Experiment as you learn. Home brewing enthusiasts experiment until they create the perfect flavor. You can choose from among a variety of grains, hops and even yeasts. Fermentation time and aging time can be varied to create different flavors as well. Darker, lighter, stronger or milder brews can all be made at home. Most home brewers agree that beer you make yourself has a superior taste to beer purchased at the store. But there is a learning curve involved.

2. Get the right equipment. Some of the equipment you need for home brewing may seem unfamiliar such as racking cane, airlock and fermenter. But they are inexpensive and readily available at any brewing supply store or home brewing website. Having the right equipment on hand makes your job easier and ultimately results in better beer.

3. Make the "wort." Fill the kettle 2/3 full of water and put the stove burner on high. When the water is hot, add the malt extract. Continue boiling for an hour. When the extract is completely dissolved, add the hops, reserving some to add at the very end, to produce aroma. The liquid is referred to as wort.

4. Cool the wort, transfer to fermenter. Put a lid on the kettle and place the sealed container in an ice bath, on the sink or even the bathtub works well. You cool the wort to a temperature that is best for the yeast to begin multiplying. Pour the cooled wort into the bucket or other container you will use as a fermenter. Stir the container, perhaps even gently shake it, to introduce additional oxygen into the mixture, which also is needed for fermentation.

5. Add the yeast, put a lid on the fermenter and hook up the airlock. The yeast will now multiply, consume the sugar from the malt and begin producing carbon dioxide (CO2) and alcohol. The CO2 will bubble up and pass through the airlock.
   
   It can take a week or more for fermentation to be completed. When the flow of bubbles through the airlock noticeably slows, you are getting closer to being ready for bottling. The wort clearing up is another indication; this means the yeast has done its job and is settling on the bottom of the vessel.

6. Transfer the beer to a fresh container, the bottling bucket, and add the corn sugar (dextrose). This last bit of sugar causes more fermentation that produces the bubbles in the finished beer. Fill the bottles with the siphon hose, and cap them. Keep the bottles at room temperature for another 10 days to 2 weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Some brewing guides say that using tap water is just fine, but if you live in an area where the water has unusually high mineral content or traces of chemicals, you may want to use purified water to insure the flavor of the beer is not impacted. Keep a log book that lists the ingredients you used, including any additives such as herbs, the fermentation and aging time, and then describe the flavor of the beer, what you liked and what you didn't like. This will help you move toward perfecting your recipe.
• Sanitize everything that comes into contact with the wort and the finished beer, including bottles, caps and stirring spoons. Household organisms that get into the beer can ruin the taste and give the beer an unpleasant odor. Keep a checklist that shows you have sanitized each item before use.

References

• "How to Brew: Everything You Need To Know To Brew Beer Right The First Time;" John J. Palmer; 2006
• Brew beer
• Brew beer at home

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