How to brew a beer at home – tips

Brewing is an art as much as it is a science. There are clear aspects to the process, but at the same time, the “rules” and limitations are very vague, leaving it all to personal taste and interpretation in creating a truly unique beer. Sounds very complicated, doesn’t it? But, it isn’t. Brewing comes down to a simple process that goes back 12,000 years. You heat water with grains, boil the wort with hops, cool the wort, ferment with yeast, and then carbonate. Simple enough!

3 ways to brew beer

There are three basic methods of brewing: extract, partial mashing, and whole grain. As the name implies, the methods differ in how the base for the beer is created.

Brewing with extracts

In this method, malt extracts, whether dry or liquid or a mixture of both, are used to create the main base of the beer, the wort. Overall, this process requires less equipment, space, and time, making it ideal for those new to home brewing. Although some brewers are learning and progressing, they continue to use extract methods purely out of convenience.

Partial mashing

Partial mashing involves the use of both extract and grain. This kind of combination provides ample opportunity to create a variety of flavors and colors. It’s a great second step for those who have successfully brewed beer with extracts but want to go further. At the same time, it’s not much longer, possible to brew without equipment, so the transition won’t be difficult.

Full-grain brewing

Last but not least, this is a full-grain mash. This is the cleanest form of brewing, but it requires more equipment and space (and therefore a larger financial investment), more time, and in-depth knowledge of the brewing process. No extracts are used in this method, so all the sugars needed must be extracted from the grain, which allows complete freedom in brewing. In turn, this can also create more room for error. Full-grain mashing is for experienced brewers who have a clear understanding of the brewing process.

What is the best way to store beer?

Most homebrew recipes don’t involve oak aging. However professional brewers prefer to use wood to improve the flavor of their beverages.

Specialists age their future spirits in oak barrels that previously housed hard liquor. These are predominantly bourbon and whiskey. This way, the persistent aroma of hops is lost. It harmonizes the taste. And the wood gives the drink extra flavor. It is tannins and wood. It is not uncommon to put wood chips in the tank. The wood makes the beer more tasteful by saturating it with different microelements. The alcohol becomes like amber. Notes of toffee, almond, and vanilla can be traced. The taste becomes slightly tart.