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Homebrewing 101 with Darren Hollett Copyright 2009 - Just Here For The Beer .Com

What Is Your Inspiration?

As is the case for most of you reading this, long have I enjoyed all that is Beer. From porters, to wheat beers, to lambics, I have ventured far and wide for a good brew. Whilst on my pursuit for a quality pint, I became curious as to how such beers were brewed. I knew the essential ingredients - water, yeast, hops and barley - yet knew not how they worked together to create my drink of choice. So I set out to learn more, and thanks to the advice of a friend began what has now turned into a full-time hobby and passion - homebrewing.

Many famous brewers started first in their basement, experimenting with different malts, hops, yeast and other ingredients to create the beers we have come to love today. Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head Brewing is one such example, and is a driving force behind the "extreme brewing" movement taking place in North America; due largely to his experience as a homebrewer. Therefore I believe it to be the best place to start for the aspiring brewmaster or anyone wanting to work in the field of beer.

In the homebrewing of beer, there are essentially three stages of complexity. The first and most basic, is the homebrew kit. This, as with most other homebrewers , is where I began. Available at any homebrewing store or wine/beer u-brews, it is a great place to start. In the kit, you will find all the necessities for brewing beer. Malt extract, dry yeast, and hop pellets. Only ingredient missing is water.

The second level of homebrewing, one I have just recently moved on from, is half-grain brewing; the difference is all in the name. Where homebrew kits use only malt extract - a syrup-like substance created from malted barley - half grain brewing uses half malt extract, and half malted grains. From the malted grains, the brewer essentially steeps them, drawing from them a sugary water which makes up for the missing extract. Not only increasing the amount of fermentable sugars, this steeping of grains also contributes more to the taste and aroma of the finished brew.

The third and final stage of complexity for homebrewing is all-grain brewing. Essentially the exact same process as a professional brewery, except on a far smaller scale, all-grain brewing can be very complex. Through such complexity though, the brewer has far more control over his/her end product. Adjustments in temperature, the pH of the water, more advanced ingredients, and exact time periods for different stages are just some of the fine-tuning the brewer must tend to.

This is amongst the most basic of overviews of the three stages of homebrewing, as I believe there to be no better source for knowledge than hands-on practice and a good instruction booklet. If you are interested in brewing, I urge you to give it a try. Just grab a handbook from a local bookstore, and visit your nearest homebrew store. The homebrew shop which I personally frequent is located on Hastings street in Vancouver - Dan's Homebrewing - and it has everything you need, including a very knowledgeable shop owner. I think it is a great hobby, and there could not be a better reward when you are all done. Plus it is cheaper than buying beer from the store!

Join me as I continue my adventures in the realm of brewing. My name is Darren, and I am a homebrewer.

If you have a question or comment for Darren, email us at:

info(at)justhereforthebeer.com - Keep on Brewing!

Oktoberfest 2010
(October 1st & 2nd)

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Canada Cup of Beer
2 GREAT DAYS!

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@ Edgewater Casino!

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BC Craft Beer Tasting Saturday May 15th!