Beer-Making Instructions
Visit any brew shop and you'll see a wide variety of beer-making supplies and equipment. Making home-brewed beer is not difficult. While you can spend a lot of money buying equipment, it isn't necessary for the hobby home-brewer. Most beer-making equipment can be purchased inexpensively or can be adapted from items you already have around your home.
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The Equipment
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The most important item is your brewing vessel. This can be a carboy or a food-grade, five-gallon plastic bucket with a tight fitting lid. A carboy will need a rubber stopper with a hole though the center. You will also need an airlock and a long-handled spoon. If you are using a plastic bucket, you will need to drill a 1/4-inch hole in the center of the lid to accommodate the airlock. You will also need bottles with screw-on caps. You can purchase beer bottles, caps and a bottle capper at the brew store.
The Ingredients
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The simplest way of making homemade beer is to buy a can of brewing extract. Referred to as a "kit," this can will contain everything you need, except sugar, to make your own beer. You will need two pounds of sugar to complete the ingredient list.
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Prepare the Equipment
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Wash the carboy or bucket with hot water using as little soap as possible. Fill the container with boiling water and drain to sterilize the vessel. Insert the airlock into the lid of bucket or into the center of the rubber stopper.
Make the Beer
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Pour the contents of the extract can into the vessel and add the sugar. Pour 1/2 gallon of boiling water into the vessel and stir to dissolve the sugar into the mixture. If using a carboy, you will have to pick the vessel up and shake to dissolve the sugar. Add 4 1/2 gallons of cool water to the vessel. Sprinkle the yeast package that came with the extract on the surface of the mixture. Place the lid on the pail or insert the stopper into the opening of the carboy. Fill the airlock half full of water.
Ferment the Beer
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Move the beer to a warm area where it will be undisturbed for seven to 10 days. After seven days, check the beer. If bubbles are still rising in the airlock, allow the beer to work for another day or two and then check again. When the bubbles have ceased, it is time to bottle the beer.
Bottle the Beer
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Insert the siphon tube into the beer vessel, keeping the tube one inch off the bottom. This will prevent sediment from contaminating your beer. Siphon the beer into prepared bottles and cap. Store the beer in the refrigerator or other cool dry place. Serve chilled.
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