How To Brew - Getting Started
So you want to learn to make your own brew? Well, this is a common question asked at BrewingKB via email and in the forums.
This Home Brewing Guide is intended to help speed the learning process and help you brew your own beer. Remember, learning to brew is like learning how to do anything, read and absorb all you can and be prepared to make some mistakes -- everyone does!
Getting Started
To get started, first you really need to know about the brewing resources available to you and on the website.
We have done our best to compile a great book list in our home brewing books section. Be sure to check it out. Keep in mind, a very commonly recommended book for beginners is "How To Brew" by John J. Palmer, so you can start there. As a brewer you'll probably end up owning a few in the future :)
In addition, there is a great video ebook available which many people have found to be really useful to speed learning -- Beer Easy Home Brewing Training
Created by an experienced brewer Justin Sieglaff, the video ebook comes with a money back guarentee if you don't like it.
It's quick to buy, download and read at your own pace. Click here to learn more!
There is also an ebook called The Beer Brewing Book. I recommend learning as much as you can from as many sources you can and using a good book to solidify what your learning.
The guides and books will give you an idea of the processes involved and help you persue the hobby further.
Also, my first batch of beer was from the Mr Beer kit, which got me started. Click here to learn more about the easy to use kit for your first batch.
Don't miss our brewing articles and brewing blogs sections as well which have some articles geared towards beginners.
What Are Some Good Forum Threads For The Beginner?
Here are a few useful forum threads I found for the beginner. Don't forget to use the sites search engine to find more information. These threads will give you some information on what beginners ask and worry about!
What is the best beginners beer kit to get started.
First Beginner Kit question: Yeast
Beginner looking for small batch suggestions
Expected Trajectory of the Beginning Homebrewer?
Mr. beer
Help me im new to brewing
Buying my first home brewing kit...help?
Just starting out.
First Time Home Brewer
Newbie - open call for advice and whatnot...
Suggestions for a Brewing Newbie
A Newbie Shopping for equipment.
Newbie Keg Questions
Newbie worries
newbie bottling question
Stuck fermentation and other newbie questions
Newbie question
newbie Q How long to rapid fermentaion?
Newbie in beer land!
What About Beer Kits?
Beer kits provide the ingredients and instructions for various brews but it's recommend you learn about the process and equipment needed first. Beer Kits are a great way to get started and for brewing speciality beers. We recommend them for those just getting started. As you become more experienced you will find that you'll want to try recipes not generally available as kits or perhaps experiment to create your own recipes.
There are some complete equipment and ingredient kits available, homebrewing.org has a nice selection of complete beginner home brewing equipment kits -- click here.
Also, check out our home brewing kits page for a large selection of great ingredient kits available from homebrewing.org.
Brewing Equipment
A common question is "What equipment do I need?". Again, the most common response is to learn more about the process by reading. Using this approach you learn what the equipment is for and how and why it's working.
But if your trying to gauge a setup, here is an example of what a beginner kit includes, to give you an idea:
- 6.5 Gallon "Ale Pail" Primary Fermenter with Drilled & Grommeted Lid
- 6.5 Gallon "Ale Pail" Bottling Bucket with Bottling Spigot
- Airlock
- Siphon & Bottling Set-up
- Hydrometer
- Bottle Brush
- Twin Lever Capper
- Liquid Crystal Thermometer
- Bucket Clip
Don't miss homebrewing.org's selection of beginner home brewing kits -- click here!
Have a look at our home brewing supplies section to see whats out there. There is a larger selection when you click over to see product information.
It's great if you can find a local store with an expert who can provide beginner advice as well, to reduce your beginner mistakes. Supporting local business and knowledge is great if possible -- but is not always an option for everyone!
Brewing Recipes
Once you've done a few brews, you might want to lower the cost of your brewing and increase the variety of what you can do and this is where brewing recipes come in. Perhaps your even interested in inventing your own recipes or recreating your favorite beers.
BrewingKB has a beer recipe ebook which you can purchase and download by clicking here. Again there are ideas on our home brewing books section as well.
Our forums also have a section dedicated to the discussion and creation of beer recipes, click here! Be sure to use the search features on the site as well as there is alot of information here.
Whats Next?
Now that you have read a few books and resources, perhaps bought a kit or setup, you should be ready to move forward creating your own brew. Be sure to drop by the brewing forums to learn, discuss techniques and take your brewing to a whole new level and let us know how it goes!
Thanks for visiting the site and enjoy!