2008 Woodie Awards
Getting started in home brewing
Michael Mason-D'Croz
Issue date: 2/6/08 Section: Features
Beer - just the word invokes certain thoughts. But one thought that doesn't cross most people's minds is brewing beer at home.
Kirk Weidner, owner of Kirk's Brew and Gifts, said there are three great reasons to brew at home: It's a great hobby, it yields quality beer, and brewers can enjoy a wide variety of beers.
Kirk's is one of a handful of stores in Lincoln to get supplies and learn more about home brewing.
"The best thing you can do if you have no knowledge about any of the science behind [brewing], is to go to Kirk's Brew," said Eric Newgard, a student pursuing a doctorate in biological systems engineering. "He has all the information you'd need."
Newgard has been brewing at home for nine years and has tried to brew many different styles of beer. However, he recommends people begin with ales instead of trying to tackle a lager.
"As a beginner, you probably won't be able to make a lager, but ales are doable," he said. "You can make stouts, porters, pale ales, IPAs or nut browns. And out of the 26 official styles of beer, 18 or so are ales."
The main reason to stick with ales is because of the temperature needed to ferment certain types of yeast. The yeast that ferments beer is classified as either ale yeast or lager yeast.
For ale, the yeast is top fermenting and ferments at temperatures around 68 degrees. For lager, the yeast is bottom fermenting and needs much lower temperatures, and the home-brewer needs more intricate equipment.
One of the best ways to pick up the craft is from watching and listening to someone who already has gone through the trials and errors. There is a lot of science that goes into making beer.
Stores such as Kirk's can help you purchase anything needed to become a novice brewer. The first step is to acquire a starter set.
These sets cost around $100 and, except for bottles, include everything needed to brew five gallon batches.
When it comes time to make a second or third batch, pre-boxed packages are available, or home brewers can find recipes on the Internet.
The most important thing is having the right tools to brew. Brewing beer is a complicated process, and anyone who gets involved should be dedicated from start to finish.
Luckily, wort, the basis of beer, is easy to make. First, one must boil the ingredients to make the beer base, then put the substance in an airtight five-gallon bucket.
This bucket needs to have a one-way air hole, allowing carbon dioxide to escape without letting air in. Once the wort is in the bucket, the yeast is added to start fermentation.
Fermenting beer typically sits for a week or two before bottling. The type of beer changes the length of the fermentation time. Brewers must keep in mind that dark bottles make sure there is no light damage to the brew.
Once bottled, the beer must be kept in a cool, dark place to finish its fermenting process and carbonate. It will take another couple of weeks before a full-fledged beer will be finished.
Yes, there is a decent investment up front, but the subsequent five gallon brews will cost somewhere between $20 and $30.
Weidner summed up the world of possibility that home brewing opens: "If you can drink it, you can make it."
michaelmason-dcroz@dailynebraskan.com
Kirk Weidner, owner of Kirk's Brew and Gifts, said there are three great reasons to brew at home: It's a great hobby, it yields quality beer, and brewers can enjoy a wide variety of beers.
Kirk's is one of a handful of stores in Lincoln to get supplies and learn more about home brewing.
"The best thing you can do if you have no knowledge about any of the science behind [brewing], is to go to Kirk's Brew," said Eric Newgard, a student pursuing a doctorate in biological systems engineering. "He has all the information you'd need."
Newgard has been brewing at home for nine years and has tried to brew many different styles of beer. However, he recommends people begin with ales instead of trying to tackle a lager.
"As a beginner, you probably won't be able to make a lager, but ales are doable," he said. "You can make stouts, porters, pale ales, IPAs or nut browns. And out of the 26 official styles of beer, 18 or so are ales."
The main reason to stick with ales is because of the temperature needed to ferment certain types of yeast. The yeast that ferments beer is classified as either ale yeast or lager yeast.
For ale, the yeast is top fermenting and ferments at temperatures around 68 degrees. For lager, the yeast is bottom fermenting and needs much lower temperatures, and the home-brewer needs more intricate equipment.
One of the best ways to pick up the craft is from watching and listening to someone who already has gone through the trials and errors. There is a lot of science that goes into making beer.
Stores such as Kirk's can help you purchase anything needed to become a novice brewer. The first step is to acquire a starter set.
These sets cost around $100 and, except for bottles, include everything needed to brew five gallon batches.
When it comes time to make a second or third batch, pre-boxed packages are available, or home brewers can find recipes on the Internet.
The most important thing is having the right tools to brew. Brewing beer is a complicated process, and anyone who gets involved should be dedicated from start to finish.
Luckily, wort, the basis of beer, is easy to make. First, one must boil the ingredients to make the beer base, then put the substance in an airtight five-gallon bucket.
This bucket needs to have a one-way air hole, allowing carbon dioxide to escape without letting air in. Once the wort is in the bucket, the yeast is added to start fermentation.
Fermenting beer typically sits for a week or two before bottling. The type of beer changes the length of the fermentation time. Brewers must keep in mind that dark bottles make sure there is no light damage to the brew.
Once bottled, the beer must be kept in a cool, dark place to finish its fermenting process and carbonate. It will take another couple of weeks before a full-fledged beer will be finished.
Yes, there is a decent investment up front, but the subsequent five gallon brews will cost somewhere between $20 and $30.
Weidner summed up the world of possibility that home brewing opens: "If you can drink it, you can make it."
michaelmason-dcroz@dailynebraskan.com
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