Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Finding The Right Beer Making Supplies

By Jeffrey Howard


A lot of people decide they want to brew their own beer at home as a hobby. Many types of brew can be easily created with a little knowledge and practice and it can be an affordable way of enjoying a nice bottle of ale. When you brew in your home you will need to look for beer making supplies and there are a few options open to you when searching.

The starting point for the majority of home brewers is the stores located on the high street that now specialize in selling brewing equipment and ingredients. These shops will have everything you need from the smallest items of essential kit to special ingredients and other useful accessories. One plus point of buying from stores is that you will be able to ask the advice of the staff that work there who will be happy to help with your selection of equipment.

The other main place to source supplies from is an online retailer that specializes in home brewing equipment. The web sites will have a list of their stock for you to browse including special tools and ingredients. If you are ordering any products online be aware that a separate postage cost will be added to your final invoice total.

The type of equipment you will need depends on how much beer you want to produce and what quantity. Any brew can be made at home including ales, stouts and lagers. Most people will use a kit when they first start due to the fact that only the sugar and water needs adding to get a batch going. The kits are very reasonably priced and are a good way to start out when making your own ale.

Many brewers with more experience may choose to experiment and try and create beers from scratch using their own recipes. Items that are needed include brewing malts, hops and yeast and these can found at most suppliers. Other special additives that can enhance your brews such as chocolate flavors and brewing sugar are also commonly offered for sale. Books with classic beer recipes are also available for the more adventurous enthusiasts.

Other equipment that you will need to purchase includes a brewing kettle, bottles and metal caps, cleaning equipment and hydrometers. All equipment will need to be properly sterilized each time it is used so cleaning products are essential. Bottle cleaning brushes, filters and specialist fluids will all help to keep things sterile and free from any bacteria.

Other helpful items can also be found at the online retailers and on shelves in the brew shops. Instructional videos, guide books and monthly hobby magazines are all useful for the home brewing enthusiast. There are a large number of recipe books available to buy which are particularly useful for those wanting to make a batch of ale without using a kit.

In many areas there are now home brew clubs that can be joined for a small monthly fee. These are very useful as they will sell all items you need for brewing and they often work out less costly than stores due to members receiving discounts. As well buying supplies it allows the members to meet on social basis and discuss recipes, tips and helpful techniques.




About the Author: