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Home Brewing How-To

So, you want to be a home brewer. You’ve been to many a bar, sipped pints a plenty and gained knowledge enough to rival even the snootiest of wine tasters. It’s time to put your knowledge into practice and reach that next level of beer godliness. Here’s a handy guide from us at Adams Gas to get you started.

Beer Taps

The First Steps

Full disclaimer from the outset: your first brew probably won’t be a masterpiece. But, the old words of wisdom, practice makes perfect, are applicable here. Start off with a typical, store bought, brewing kit from one of your high street retailers. These kits typically consist of the following: fermenting container, airlock and stopper, funnel, hose to transfer and a strainer. You will also want to pick up a beer kit, which usually consists of a malt concentrate and yeast; there are multitudes of these and they come in many different variations. Whether you’re a pale ale or a bitter drinker there’s plenty of kits in the sea.

Cooking Your Beer

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a chef for this part (but it probably helps). After first sanitising your equipment you are ready to start the cooking process. Bring two litres of water to the boil; as soon as it boils remove it from the heat and add your beer kit according to the instructions provided. Stir the mixture well and then allow to gently simmer for a further 10-15 minutes. At this point you should add your pot to four gallons of cold water you’ve placed in your primary fermenter. Leave to cool for the next stage.

steam on pot in kitchen

Fermentation

The fermentation process can take anywhere between eight and ten days. The exact time depends upon you, your beer of choice and your process so understandably results may vary. So, finally, attach your funnel and transferring hose to your container to start. You then need to strain your cooled unfermented malt mixture. It’s important that the mixture is at room temperature at this point as you add the yeast. Stir thoroughly, stopper with your air lock and then choose a cool, dark, place to store. A sure fire way to know if your beer is ready for the final step is when the yeast has all settled at the bottom of the fermenter. If you have a clear product then congrats, you’re almost there!

Bottling Your Fears

Once you’ve completed these steps the only thing left to do is preserve your beer. This step can go one of two ways: bottling or storing your beer in a keg. Choose wisely and gather the final ingredient for your masterpiece: sugar. This vital ingredient helps to continue the fermentation process and carbonate your brew. Leave space in your chosen container for fermentation and then seal away, and in about 8 to 15 weeks you should have the tasty beer of your choice. Mission accomplished! At this point, if you have chosen to store your beer in a keg, you may fear your beer going flat once open, but don’t worry with the help of our CO2 canisters you can enjoy your hard work for months to come by maintaining the carbon levels.

Beer bottle caps frame over wooden background

For more information of how we at Adams Gas can get your beer brewing journey off to the right start contact us at 0800 195 4445. We have a team of dedicated specialists who are ready to take your enquiries.