Brewing beer is incredibly simple. You can of course make it as complex as you want depending on how much control you want over the flavors, or if you truly want to start from scratch, using the most basic ingredients. But for the beginner, starting with extract kits, it's really a breeze. If you can bake a cake you can definitely succeed at home brewing. That really isn't an overstatement.
Although producing great tasting beer is very easy to do, it wouldn't be very effective to try to explain to you all the steps involved in an article. Instead, I'm going to give you some tips that I learnt early on that made my life easier.
The two most basic categories of beer are Ales, and Lagers. Ales are generally more prone to fruity notes (e.g. bannana, pear, apple, raspberry) whereas lagers are are normally crisper, cleaner tasting.
A question commonly asked by beginner brewers is: "What should I choose for my first beer?"
For beginners, my usual reply is "start with an Ale". Brewing an Ale is the best choice for a beginner because they are quite simply less complicated to learn on.
Of course if you really have your heart set on a lager for your first beer it is possible, though the process is a fair bit more involved. I really feel strongly though that for you to get the best results from your first brew you should start with an ale.
There is a huge variety of types within this category (Ales) so you're sure to find something that you would enjoy. Also, just because I said they are prone to fruity notes, don't take that as me saying they're going to taste like an apple cider or something. We are still talking beer here; don't expect anything dramatic, even if it does have a hint or slight resemblance, that's really all it is. Eventually, once you make your first lager you will thank me for keeping things simple for your first time.
Now that you know the category of beer you need to stick with for your first batch, you're left with the decision of which individual type you want (there are probably 1000 different ales out there). Each beer kit manufacturer will have their own selection for you to choose from, many of which are modeled after popular beers you've likely tried. As long as you come into the supply store with an idea of a beer you could handle drinking a lot of, chances are the shop owner will have no problems matching you up with a kit that will suit your tastes.
Here's another insider tip that will make your first brew so much easier!
If you have the option of choosing between the kits that come in a metal can, and those that come in a cardborad box (with a plastic, liquid filled bladder), try the boxes for your first time. By opting for the liquid "beer mix" (brewers call this "wort") you are basically removing one of the most time consuming, and messy steps to the brewing procedure.
With the canned kits you'll need to boil the ingredients for at least an hour, after which you need to quickly cool the liquid down. With the kits that come in liquid form, your bypassing this whole part of the brewing proccess.
Trust me on this, you want your life to be as easy as possible on your first batch.
Usually, both types of kits are roughly the same price so it pays to go for the "no boil" type. However, if you find that your local supply store doesn't carry it, don't panic. Beginner and advanced brewers have been using the canned kits succesfully for years and will for years to come, so you'll definitely not be dissapointed with either type.
To Your Brewing Success,
Matt Tremblay
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Matt Tremblay is the author of "The Home Brewing Success Blueprint"
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