Many people have taken the time to discover new hobbies and pastimes over the past year or so, and homebrewing is one of them. One of the nation’s favourite tipples, the brewing of beer has been part of Britain’s heritage for centuries, and it has never been easier to set up your own micro-brewery at home.
There are a wide range of kits available on the market for those who don’t have the time or space to go down the all-grain brewing method that’s traditionally followed by breweries. The crushing process has already been done, and the wort liquid, which is essential for fermentation, has already been extracted.
Those that get a kit will need to decide where their brewing station will be. A garden shed, the back of a garage, a cellar or a kitchen worktop will all suffice, as long as there is access to water and a power source.
Finally, equipment is needed, including a fermenting bucket, siphon tube, sterilising powder, thermometer and a stirrer. It is suggested that beginning with a stout or pale ale as opposed to lager is best, as they’re easier to brew, don’t rely on temperature control too much and fermentation is generally faster.
Adding different ingredients to the process, such as a fresh fruit or a vanilla pod, will produce new flavours to experiment with, and before you know it, you’ll be breaking out your best engraved glasses to sample a pint or two of your very own craft beer.
