Homebrewing for Beginners

Dale Miskimins, right, adds in the extract while homebrewing. For more photos of the process, click on the picture.

Making beer isn’t hard.  Some say you can do it if you can boil water!  It requires some simple steps and equipment.

Brew with friends already enjoying the hobby or learn from various instructional DVDs, videos or books.  There are homebrewing clubs in Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Sioux City, IA, Fargo, ND, Brookings, and Watertown.  The American Homebrewers Association, which has over 30,000 members, offers lots of helpful information.

You will need a basic brewing kit and ingredients to get rolling.  You can get these items at your local homebrewing shop, from friends already brewing or from numerous online sources.  The start up cost for the brewing kit is around $80.  A large kettle able to hold five gallons is also needed.  Many experienced cooks already will have one, but suitable choices can be found for around $40.

Beginning brewers often start with ingredient kits to make a beer style they like and are familiar with.  More advanced recipes can be added as you gain experience and confidence.  Ingredient kits will contain malt extract, hops and special brewing yeasts.  Prices vary but may range from $25 – $35.

The kitchen stove can be used to heat the recipe.  Many homebrewers choose to use propane “turkey” cookers or other more specialized heating units.  This often moves the project to the garage or deck to disperse the heat and vent fumes from the burner.  Boil over’s sometimes happen when cooking beer, so moving the project out of the kitchen may save a large stove cleaning session!

The basic brewing steps are:

1. Boiling the water and barley malt extract to create wort (unfermented beer)
2. Adding hops at various points during the boil
3. Cooling the wort and adding yeast
4. Fermentation (variable depending on the recipe)
5. Bottling
6. Carbonation (methods vary)
7. Beer must condition (mature) for a couple weeks

Your friends may ask why go to all the bother when you can just stop at the liquor store or grocery?  Homebrewing is fun, it allows you to make tasty and quality beer and it can save you money.

Let’s get started!

Sources:

Homebrewing Clubs:

Ale Riders, Rapid City http://www.aleriders.org/

Big Sioux Brewing Society, Sioux Falls http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dakotahomebrewers/

SDSU Brew Club, Brookings http://www.facebook.com/groups/305845119458861/

Prairie Homebrewing Companions, Fargo http://prairiehomebrewers.org/

Fellowship of the Brew, Watertown http://www.facebook.com/FellowshipOfTheBrew

RASCALS, Sioux City, IA Email: steven@9d8.com

American Homebrewers Association http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/

Homebrewing Supplies:

Good Spirits Fine Wine & Liquors, Sioux Falls http://www.gsfw.com/index.php

Northern Brewer Homebrew Supply, Minneapolis/St. Paul http://www.northernbrewer.com/

Midwest Supplies, Minneapolis http://www.midwestsupplies.com/