What is Kit Brewing?
Homebrew for beginners, what does that really mean? It means brewing from a kit! Kit Brewing is an accessible entry point for aspiring homebrewers, allowing you to craft delicious beer without the extensive requirements of all-grain brewing (more on that another day!). It involves using malt extract as the primary ingredient, simplifying the brewing process while still delivering quality results. With minimal equipment and a budget-friendly approach, extract brewing is the ideal method for beginners to explore the world of homebrewing. Every homebrewer started out this way and it is a great introduction to the hobby.
Need to Know
- Batch Size – Almost all homebrewing is done in multiples of 5 US gallons. That is 19 liters in the UK and about 33 pints.
- Sanitisation vs Cleaning – In homebrewing, cleaning involves removing visible dirt and residue from your equipment with a dedicated cleaner, like PBW (Powdered Brewery Wash). Sanitizing, done after cleaning, uses a chemical sanitizer like Star San to kill the invisible microbes that could spoil your beer. PBW and Star San are both brand names, many homebrew shops sell own brand alternatives, the important knowledge is the difference between cleaning and sanitising.
- Wort vs Beer – Wort is the sugary liquid extracted from grains before fermentation, essentially unfermented beer. Beer is the final product after yeast has consumed the sugars in the wort, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- RDWHAHB. Relax, don’t worry, have a homebrew!
Essential Equipment and Ingredients
Starting out, you’ll only need a few essential tools to kick off your brewing journey. This includes a fermenter, a thermometer and basic sanitation supplies. When sourcing your brewing equipment, aim for budget-friendly alternatives such as second-hand purchases or DIY tools (Occasionally Facebook Marketplace can be your friend). For ingredients, focus on beginner-friendly malt extracts, hops, and yeast varieties available at economical prices. Online homebrew shops sell extract kits at very reasonable prices. This will ensure that your costs remain low, enabling you to produce a batch of craft beer for under £50.
Once you have the basics you can continue buying the extract kits to bring your average price-per-beer down even lower. A homebrew shop will generally sell a start kit containing a fermenter (with airlock and tap), bottling stick, hydrometer, stick-on thermometer, bottle capper and caps, sanitiser and plastic paddle for stirring for around £40. Add that to your birthday or Christmas list!
Plastic or Glass Bottles?
Both plastic and glass will do the job but plastic will be less susceptible to breakage and are more forgiving if you get a bottle rocket! The plastic twist caps can also be reused making them cheaper in the long-run. The brown plastic PET bottles would be the recommendation.
The Step-by-Step Brewing Process
On brewing day, proper sanitisation techniques are crucial. Begin by preparing your equipment, then mix your malt extract and add hops as needed. Once yeast is introduced, patience is key, allowing it to ferment appropriately. Finally, bottling your beer is a rewarding process—simply follow the guidelines provided in this guide to ensure the best results. With time investment and attention to detail, you’ll successfully create your first batch of beer!
Before you begin
- Read the instructions: Every beer kit is a little different. Familiarise yourself with the specific instructions for your kit.
- Gather your equipment: You’ll need your fermenter, airlock, sanitiser, large spoon or paddle, and a bottling bucket (optional) with a spigot (for later).
- Clean and sanitise everything: Thoroughly clean and sanitize all your equipment that will come into contact with the beer. This is crucial to prevent infection and off-flavors.
Brewing
- Prepare the wort:
- Most kits contain a can of concentrated malt extract. Tip: Warm this in a hot water bath to make it easier to pour.
- Open the can and pour the contents into your sanitised fermenter.
- Add the required amount of sugar (usually specified in the kit instructions). Some kits may use malt extract instead of sugar.
- Top up the fermenter with cold water to the 5-gallon mark. Stir vigorously to ensure everything is well mixed.
- Check the temperature: Ensure the wort is at the temperature recommended by your yeast packet (usually around 65-75°F or 18-24°C).
- Pitch the yeast: Sprinkle the yeast packet into the wort. Seal the fermenter with the lid and attach the airlock filled with sanitiser solution.
Fermentation
- Fermentation:
- Place the fermenter in a location with a stable temperature, away from direct sunlight. An airing cupboard is usually your best bet in the UK, or failing that whichever room is warmest in the house.
- Fermentation will usually start within 24-48 hours. You’ll see bubbles in the airlock.
- Fermentation can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks, depending on the yeast and beer style.
- After Fermentation:
- Bottling (or kegging):
- Once fermentation is complete, you’ll need to bottle or keg your beer.
- This involves adding priming sugar to the beer to create carbonation.
- Sanitize your bottles and bottling equipment.
- Siphon the beer from the fermenter to the bottling bucket, add priming sugar, and fill the bottles.
- Finally, If you are not using a bottling bucket you can carefully transfer the beer to the bottles direct from the fermenter and add priming sugar (not too much!) or bottle drops direct to each bottle.
- Conditioning:
- Store the bottles at room temperature for 2-3 weeks to allow carbonation to develop.
- After conditioning, chill the beer and enjoy!
- Bottling (or kegging):
Important Notes
- Sanitation is key: Keep everything clean and sanitized throughout the process.
- Temperature control: Maintain a consistent temperature during fermentation.
- Patience: Brewing takes time. Be patient and let the yeast do its work.
- Have fun! Relax and enjoy the process of creating your own homebrew.
Conclusion
Extract brewing is your ticket to affordable, delicious homebrewing. With minimal investment and a straightforward process, you can transform your kitchen into a craft brewery! Check out the next post in our series about setting up your dream brewery!