Randy Frank - How to make beer like a pro: complete guide to home brewing — even in small spaces

How to Make Beer Like a Pro

Complete Guide to Home Brewing - Even in Small Spaces

Includes BIAB Apartment Brewing, Brewing Equipment, History, Processes, Sanitation, Home Brew Clubs and Laws by Country

By Randy Frank

How to Make Beer

Home Brewing Like a Pro

Includes BIAB Apartment Brewing, Brewing Equipment, History, Processes, Sanitation, Home Brew Clubs and Laws by Country

Author: Randy Frank

Published by: Ubiquitous Publishing, ubiquitouspublishing.com

All rights reserved. No part of this ebook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

ISBN: 978-1-927870-34-1

Copyright 2013 by Ubiquitous Publishing

First Edition, 2013

Published in Canada

Dedication

I would like to thank my family for allowing me to experiment with trying to brew beer. Despite not having a lot of room in our home, they gave up some space for me for this new hobby I have since become very passionate about. I'd like to also thank my friends for providing me with good company and sitting down with me to test - and often help create - the perfect beer!

Disclaimer

This ebook is designed to provide information on home brewing only. This information is provided and sold with the knowledge that the publisher and author do not offer any legal or other professional advice. In the case of a need for any such expertise consult with the appropriate professional. This ebook does not contain all information available on the subject. This book has not been created to be specific to any individuals or organizations situation or needs. Every effort has been made to make this book as accurate as possible. However, there may be typographical and or content errors. Therefore, this ebook should serve only as a general guide and not as the ultimate source of subject information. This book contains information that might be dated and is intended only to educate and entertain. The author and publisher shall have no liability or responsibility to any person or entity regarding any loss or damage incurred, or alleged to have incurred, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book. You hereby agree to be bound by this disclaimer or you may return this ebook within the guarantee time period for a full refund.

Foreword

DWHAHB!

Don't Worry, Have A Homebrew!

This is the mantra of home brewers.

Because you need patience for home brewing and if you make mistakes, most can be overcome or if all else fails, start again with a new batch. The main thing is to learn from mistakes as you go. Once you learn the basics of home brewing there are many ways to add your own creativity.

The investment is low and the reward is high as you will discover when you share your first great batch of beer with friends.

DWHAHB!

1. Introduction to Home Brewing

The adventure of home brewing is one of the fastest growing hobbies. There are several reasons home brewing appeals to people. An appreciation for challenge is often found among beer lovers. The sense of accomplishment when you taste your first beer and enjoy the fruits of your labor is often unparalleled.

This is a hobby you can share among friends. Inviting your friends to share your home brew is fun and rewarding. You can become the center of attention at the next party. There can be great satisfaction in being recognized as the brew master and watching as your friends as they enjoy your creation. Many home brewing hobbyists have continued to pursue brewing as a money making opportunity.

When you home brew you can customize your beer to your taste preferences. You can use a simple brewing kit with a few recipes or become more involved and expand into different types of brewing with a variety of ingredients and experiment with your own. This is a hobby that is never boring.

While there is an initial investment to get started, making your own beer can produce brew that tastes better than commercially brewed beers. Learning about brewing is thrilling and though setting up your system will require some time, the brewing process is easy to monitor. Because so little time is required to monitor the fermenting process, even the busy working person has time for this hobby. You can brew beer in your home or apartment. Fermentation can be set up in an area that is out of the way.

The barrier of entry cost for home brewing is rather low. A simple equipment kit or beer machine and some ingredients can be purchased for less than $150. The beer machines that can help you learn about making beer are less expensive than the kits. These offer an introduction to brewing for you to test the waters without spending too much money. You can always upgrade to an equipment kit later. The kits have equipment that adapts for more advanced brewing as you learn.

Many beer lovers are adventure seekers who like a challenge and while brewing can be kept simple and is enjoyable there many brewing methods and techniques to master so the challenges are as many as you want to pursue. You can merely brew the same tasty batch of beer again and again or experiment with brewing. Once you learn the basic methods you will discover there are numerous ways to produce beer. Home brewing allows for experimenting if you choose and even mistakes can sometimes make better beer.

There are studies that propose that a beer or two a day can be beneficial to your health. Also, homemade beers can have less hangover effects. This is due to the facts that they contain a large measure of yeast rich in Vitamin B, the beer will be absent of any preservatives, and your beer will not be delivered through a bar draft line that can contain bacteria.

Home brewing is an enjoyable hobby that can satisfy even the most curious learner. The loads of different possibilities have become an obsession for many enthusiasts.

A ( V ERY B RIEF) H ISTORY OF B REWING

People have been brewing beer as far back as 7000 B.C. and maybe before. Without local pubs or bars and no commercial brewing, home brewing is said to be where all brewing began. Just like many things back then, if you wanted a beer you would have to make it.

In the U.S. the first President George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were both home brewers. In the 18th century the U.S. government taxed home brewing to help commercial breweries. Early in the 19th century prohibition banned all sorts of alcohol. Although prohibition was repealed later in the 1930s, not until 1979 when President Jimmy Carter passed the Cranston Act did home beer brewing again become legal. His brother, Bill Carter introduced Billy Beer.

Home brewing is enjoying an upswing in popularity. Just thirty years ago there were less than 200 beer brewing hobby stores in the U.S. and today there are over 1000. The Home Brewers Association states there are approximately 1 million people brewing at home in the U.S. This is partly due to the easily available information, ingredients, equipment, and kits on the Internet. The cost of setting up a home brewing system has decreased and there are more supplies and ingredients to choose from than ever before.

Not long ago if you wanted to home brew all that was available were malt extract, a ceramic crock and bread yeast. Now for as little as $50 there are many kits to choose from and for about another $100 in equipment you can produce five gallons of beer at a time. There have been many improvements in the home brewing process and the home enthusiast can produce a broader variety of beers, and much better quality.

A LE TO THE C HIEF

Inspired by home brewers from across the country, President Obama bought a home brewing kit for the kitchen. After the few first drafts there were some great recipes that came from a local brew shop.