This post briefly outlines the main steps in homebrewing and basic processes to follow to get up and running with your first batch.
Step 1: Gather Your Equipment and Ingredients
To get started with extract brewing you will need the some basic homebrewing equipment. The equipment required is outlined here.
Make sure all of your equipment is clean and sanitized before you start brewing.
Step 2: Boil the Wort
Fill your brew kettle with water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, turn off the heat and add the malt extract, stirring constantly to dissolve it completely. Return the mixture to a boil, then add your hops according to the recipe instructions.
Step 3: Cool the Wort and Transfer to the Fermenter
Once your boil is complete, you'll need to cool the wort down to a temperature that's safe for your yeast. You can do this by placing your brew kettle in an ice bath, or by using a wort chiller if you have one. Once the wort has cooled, transfer it to your fermenter and top it off with enough water to reach the desired volume. Make sure to leave enough headspace for the krausen (foam that develops during fermentation).
Step 4: Pitch the Yeast
Once your wort is in the fermenter, it's time to pitch the yeast. Follow the instructions on the yeast package to rehydrate or activate the yeast, then add it to the fermenter. Seal the fermenter with an airlock and store it in a cool, dark place where the temperature is consistent.
Step 5: Monitor the Fermentation
Over the next few days, you'll notice that your wort is starting to ferment as the yeast consumes the sugars and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. Check the airlock to make sure it's bubbling regularly, and monitor the temperature to make sure it stays within the recommended range for your yeast strain.
Step 6: Bottle and Carbonate the Beer
Once your beer has finished fermenting, it's time to bottle and carbonate it. Use your auto-siphon and tubing to transfer the beer from the fermenter to a clean and sanitized bottling bucket. Add your priming sugar (according to the recipe instructions) and stir gently to mix it in. Then, fill your bottles using your bottle capper, making sure to leave a little bit of headspace at the top.
Step 7: Enjoy Your Homebrew!
Store your bottles in a cool, dark place for a week or two to allow the beer to carbonate. Then, chill and serve your homebrew, and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
In summary, extract brewing is a great way to get started with homebrewing. Follow these steps and you'll be on your way to brewing delicious beer in no time!