The Complete Guide to

Brewing Your Own Beer at Home

Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply

by Richard Helweg

The Complete Guide to Brewing Your Own Beer at Home: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply

Copyright © 2013 by Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Helweg, Richard, 1956-

The complete guide to brewing your own beer at home : everything you need to know explained simply / by Richard Helweg.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60138-601-4 (alk. paper)

ISBN-10: 1-60138-601-X (alk. paper)

1. Beer. 2. Brewing. 3. Brewing--Microbiology. I. Title.

TP577.H4534 2011

641.87’3--dc23

2011033260

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A few years back we lost our beloved pet dog Bear, who was not only our best and dearest friend but also the “Vice President of Sunshine” here at Atlantic Publishing. He did not receive a salary but worked tirelessly 24 hours a day to please his parents.

Bear was a rescue dog who turned around and showered myself, my wife, Sherri, his grandparents Jean, Bob, and Nancy, and every person and animal he met (well, maybe not rabbits) with friendship and love. He made a lot of people smile every day.

We wanted you to know a portion of the profits of this book will be donated in Bear’s memory to local animal shelters, parks, conservation organizations, and other individuals and nonprofit organizations in need of assistance.

– Douglas and Sherri Brown

PS: We have since adopted two more rescue dogs: first Scout, and the following year, Ginger. They were both mixed golden retrievers who needed a home.

Author Dedication

Thanks to Karen, Aedan, and Rory for putting up with all of my projects, no matter how much space they take and how “stinky” they are.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: The History of Brewing and Beer

Chapter 2: An Overview of Brewing and Beer

Chapter 3: The Necessary Ingredients

Chapter 4: The Necessary Equipment

Chapter 5: Brewing for Beginners

Chapter 6: Extract Recipes

Chapter 7: Intermediate Brewing

Chapter 8: Partial Mash Recipes

Chapter 9: Advanced Brewing: All-Grain

Chapter 10: All-Grain Recipes

Conclusion

Resource Directory

Glossary of Terms

Bibliography

Author Biography

Introduction

I’ve always wanted to do that.” This is a statement often expressed when the subject of home brewing beer comes up. This statement is usually followed by, “… but it seems so involved. I don’t have the equipment or the space. I really don’t even know where to start.” This book is here to say, “You can do it.” Brewing your own beer at home is fun, not as difficult as you may think, and economical, especially if you enjoy a variety of craft beers, or beers brewed using traditional brewing techniques and in small batches as compared to the popular beers brewed by the major industrial brewers.

According to the New York Times, a grassroots phenomenon has fueled the revival of craft beers in America over the past 30 years — so challenge yourself to create the best beers around for you and your friends. Whether you are into lagers or ales, the craft of home brewing beer is within your reach. Grab your beer stein and prepare to make this art form your next hobby.

You might have tried a great beer recently and want to know how to create something similar. With the various innovative methods outlined in this book, brewing like the pros is now easier than ever before. You will be able to start small and gradually learn to make more complex ales, lagers, and stouts over time, all while having a fun experience. This book will guide any prospective brewmaster through the process of making a unique brew — from inception to first pour. There are many advantages to making your own beer, starting with the low cost and the control you have over the maturity, strength, types, and volume of your creation. All of the rules and guidelines for home brewing have been laid out for you, along with the fascinating history of this popular beverage.

This book has been arranged to guide you from the basics about beer and brewing, to intermediate brewing processes, and then to more advanced brewing procedures. As the book guides you step-by-step through the process, you will first explore the history of beer followed by an overview of beer and the brewing process. The book will then expand on the information offered in the overview to guide you through brewing for beginners. Here you will learn more about the basic ingredients of brewing, detailed descriptions of basic brewing equipment, and basic brewing procedures. Once you have a handle on basic brewing, the book will explore intermediate and advanced brewing procedures. The book also includes a number of recipes for a variety of beers you may enjoy brewing at home.

Once you have gotten past the historical recipes offered in the first chapter, you will find a limited number of basic recipe types. For the sake of instruction, a number of recipe types are repeated as extract recipes (for beginners), partial mash recipes (for intermediate brewing), and all-grain recipes (for advanced brewing). That said, it is not meant to imply that advanced brewers do not do extract brewing. Many home brewers that are quite experienced and have been brewing for years only engage in extract brewing. You will see that the leap in the volume of ingredients needed to brew all-grain recipes may be a deciding factor in many a decision to stick to extract and/or partial mash brewing practices. By the end of your journey, you will have a tasty creation to call your own.

Beer experts from professional brewmasters to backyard microbrewers have been interviewed and asked how to best use these methods. Their tips have been provided to help get you through the complex process of beer brewing and production. Top homegrown recipes for beer are provided here that will allow you to create and enjoy your very own brews in the comfort of your home.

Enjoy your brewing adventure. If you are new to brewing, take this adventure step-by-step to ensure that you understand the ingredients, tools, and processes. Talk to people you might know who have taken this journey before you. You will be surprised how eager most brewers are to share their experiences, opinions, and knowledge. Finally, do not forget to share your beer with friends. You know that everyone is eager to taste the brew of your labor.

Have fun!

Table of Contents