Getting started in Homebrewing

As the first article in brewing I thought it may be valuable for the beginner in homebrewing to get some pointers of where to start and where to purchase some simple equipment and ingredients.
But before doing that it may be valuable to get some background information on this ancient art of brewing.
Beer is a food that has been part of a staple diet for thousands of years. It is commonly made from grain seeds, typically barley which has been germinated in a malting process. What this means is that the seed has been “modified” to some extent lending itself to the brewing process. The extent of modification and “cooking” process, known as kilning or roasting, that the grain undergoes determines the type of malt produced leading to various colours and flavours.
In essence the brewing process involves supplying an amount of fermentable sugars that brewers yeast can utilize as food for growth and reproduction. The benefits for us are that the yeast produces certain beer flavours, alcohol, and makes the beer spritzy (carbon dioxide) by carbonating the beverage.
For the novice brewer it is suggested that he/she starts off with the simplest of procedures which involves using a malt extract of some sort along with some “adjunct” or other source of fermentable sugars.
A good homebrew shop should be able to help in this regard and will also supply brewing equipment. They can offer advice and service required to get you properly set up.
Equipment

• The simplest equipment needed consists of a 30 Litre Fermenter and

a. Air Lock and Sealing Grommet
b. Crown Hand Capper
c. 100 Bottle Caps
d. Sterilizing Agent (sodium metabisulphite)
e. Bottle Brush with tip
f. Tap with Sediment Reducer
g. Priming Measuring scoop
h. Bottler-Filler with gravity foot
i. Thermometer self-adhesive
j. 1kg Dextrose Brewing Sugar

You will need to measure the sugar level in the brew , called “wort”. To do this you will need a hydrometer to measure the sugar and a container to hold the brew to measure.

Now all you need is a can of extract such as the 1.7kg Coopers or Morgans extract can (there are many others) and 1 kg of dextrose.
Follow the instructions shown on the underlid of the can. You will also be provided with a sachet of yeast.

If you are brewing for the first time it’s a good idea to ask at your local brew shop.
Courses to help you get started are also available such as those run at the Home Make it stores located at 4/158 Wellington Road, Clayton VIC., (03) 9574 8222 and 265 Spring Street, Resevoir VIC., (03) 9460 2777. Or you can send me an Email at vince@costanzobrewing.com

You can also see demonstrations on Utube of what to do in your homebrew using Coopers brew kits.

Next time we will go into the equipment needed for bottling and sanitising. So stay tuned.

Cheers and good drinking.

Vincent Costanzo (B.Sc., M.Sc.)
Brew Master