On Tap

Want to Make

Your Own Beer? Mastering your own brew at home has never been easier

by Sara Coleman

November 7th is National Learn to Home Brew Day. Residents of Lake Norman love their local breweries, but why not try to learn the art of brewing for yourself? If you’re new to the home brewing process, you’ll need a few essential items before you can call yourself an official brew master. But don’t worry—with the right supplies and a little patience, you’ll have a delicious homemade blend in no time.

Gather Do you want to invent a home brew that rivals your favorite local brewery? The first step is to gather your supplies. • To start you must have a brewing kettle, fermenter, sanitizer, auto-siphon, and a stir spoon. • You can save time by purchasing a brewing kit. • Don’t forget to gather the ingredients for the beer recipe you’d like to try. • Later in the process, you’ll need bottles to store your concoction. Start Brewing Brewing is the essential step in the entire beermaking process. • You need to steep your grains in your kettle. • Once you bring your grains and water to a boil, add your hops. Refer to your beer recipe for the best time to add. • Create a wort. While it may not sound too appealing, a wort is simply your boiled water. You must cool your wort in either an ice bath or wort chiller.

Fermentation The fermentation process requires you to pour your cooled wort into your fermenter. After you add water to your wort, add your yeast. • Don’t forget to seal your fermenter! • Store your fermented wort in a cool, dry place. Bottle After two weeks, it’s time to bottle your creation. • Make sure to cleanse your bottles. • You’ll add priming sugar to your beer at this point. • Fill your bottles using your bottling supplies. • The fun part comes next – refrigerate and enjoy!

••••••••••••••••••••••• Shop and Socialize!

Supplies

The Brew Store of the Carolinas 19801 South Main St., Suite 6, Cornelius www.thebrewstoreotc.com

Crafty Beer Guys

114 South Old Statesville Road, Huntersville www.craftybeerguys.com

Home Brew Clubs

Lake Norman Brew Club Cabarrus Homebrewers Society (CABREW) Iredell Brewers United (IBU) Carolina Brewmasters (Charlotte)