Have you ever thought about homebrewing? If the answer is yes, now is the right time to get started. This has become a very popular activity in Australia and a lot of Aussies enjoy this hobby in the comfort of their own home. Homebrewing isn't difficult. If you're interested enough, you'll learn the basics and as you get more experienced, you'll try new things and even experiment with the brew. But to get you going, you'll need to have the proper gear and ingredients.
Equipment You’ll Need
Vessel
You'll need a vessel to hold all of the ingredients before you can start brewing. This doesn’t have to be anything special, but it sure helps if it’s a specialised brewing vessel. One of the best ones on the market is the all-in-one Grainfather system for homebrewing. It has the capacity to brew up to 40 pints in just one brew. One thing that makes this system so special is the app integration.
Through it, you get awesome features, an intuitive design and a machine suitable for both experienced and beginner brewers. The smart controls allow you to manage the brew no matter where you are. You simply connect your phone to the controller and adjust the settings as you want.
This system is made of stainless steel which is a very durable, rust-resistant, strong material. Manufacturers integrated a magnetic drive pump to make brewing more efficient. It also has a perforated grain basket which eliminates the need for a top plate and more pipework. Overall, this is a great set, the perfect vessel for your beginner brewing adventures.
If you want to start big, Grainfather has bigger 122–pint vessels, such as the Grainfather G70. It has a conical base that maximises wort transfer and a PID heating control so you have a more accurate insight of the temperature. If all of this sounds too complicated, you can go with a simple food-grade bucket with a tap, a bubbler and a seal.
Whichever vessel you pick, make sure that the opening at the top is large enough to allow you to properly mix the ingredients when it's time. You can use a long spoon or a paddle to do this. You can also use the brewing vessel as the fermenter as well. Just make sure the material is easy to clean and helps you transfer the worth smoothly.
Fermenter
The fermenting vessel you get should be customised to your needs. A lot of beginners like the smaller 22l version. If you decide to get this one, make sure you don’t fill it up all the way. Brew around 18l so there’s room for the foam to rise. Extra features like the airlock and stopper will come in handy to get the carbon dioxide safely out of the fermenter.
The Grainfather system has more of these features that make fermentation easier and simpler for beginners. Every fermenter has a tap at the bottom to make the transfer of the liquid easy.
Bottles
Once the fermentation is over, you’ll need to store the beer in bottles. This is where the second fermentation will happen. Bottles are a cost-effective and eco-friendly way to package beer. You can use them as many times as you want and recycle them later.
You'll also need bottle caps and a capper. This is a cheap investment that makes bottling much easier. Always clean and sanitise the bottles before using them to prevent bacteria from coming in contact with the beer and ruining it. Experts advise using dark-coloured bottles because of a possible light struck.
Thermometer
What every full home brew kit needs to have, is a thermometer. During the entire procedure, you have to keep an eye on and regulate the beer's temperature. Otherwise, overheating can damage the beer and a drop in temperature won’t let the yeast ferment. Keeping the temperature balanced between 16-22 degrees Celsius will give you the perfect brew in Grainfather system.
Jug Set
A jug set is a very practical thing to have because you’ll be using it many times. To pour sugar, to measure the water, to take samples, for steeping hops, to mix the sanitiser and detergent etc. These sets come with several jugs in different sizes. They're usually made of plastic and have measuring marks.
Hydrometer
A hydrometer will tell you whether the beer has finished its brewing and fermenting. It's easy to use and by knowing when the beer is done, you’ll prevent spoiling and potential bottle explosions.
Spoon & Measuring Cylinder
A long spoon is pretty helpful to stir the ingredients and contents. A 53cm one is usually enough to get the job done. Make sure the spoon is metal so it doesn’t bend or wear down like plastic one can. The measuring cylinder is used to check the clarity of the beer and take the specific gravity measurement.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Hops
Hops are the main ingredient for brewing beer. Did you know that breweries use only the female part of the plant because it has the alpha acids the beer needs? They’re the ones that will determine the beer’s bitterness. These alpha acids take time to break down in water, so you should boil the hops for at least an hour. Every batch of hops will be different so don’t expect the same level of bitterness with every brew.
Grains
Before buying grain, make sure you are familiar with the suppliers. They ought to be fresh every time. If they are, there will be a pleasant scent, amazing flavour, solid body, and pleasing colour to your beer. You can always get a mill to grind them for you if you are unable to do it yourself. Use them right away because the stale ones aren't good.
Malt Extract
Malt extract has improved a lot over the years. It's great for beginners because it helps them get the best out of the beer. It brings amazing flavours and scents and it comes in 2 forms, liquid and dry. Don't replace one with the other with the exact measurements. You'll need to calculate the exact dosage for each.
Yeast & Water
The single-celled fungus known as yeast produces CO2 and alcohol by eating the sugar in malt. Brewers did not use yeast in the early days of beer production because they were unaware of its benefits. Nowadays, it's available in two forms: dry and liquid. Both work well and produce the same outcome. 90% of beer is water so it’s a big part of the drink. Make sure the water isn’t too hard because it can change the beer’s flavour and scent.
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