Beer Draft Kits

Brewing Pumpkin Beer

If you haven’t started your pumpkin beer brew by now, you won’t make it by Halloween.  But, it doesn’t matter.  Pumpkin beer is good all year around.  You can definitely have a batch of pumpkin beer ready by Thanksgiving.  So, let’s get started!

This set of steps is from my first batch of pumpkin ever.  It’s a fairly new concept for me, so I had to really do some research to find the right stuff. It was a little difficult at first to decide on what types of extracts, malts and hops would go best with pumpkin flavor.  Also, I have heard that some pumpkin ales have come out with a slight pumpkin taste while others come out syrupy oozing with pumpkin flavor.  I prefer more toward the former.

So, the recipe I finally decided to use would combine cinnamon and nutmeg with an actual pumpkin. I had some other ideas, but I kept going back and forth…Continue Reading at the Learning Center  

Happy Thanksgiving Beer

This year when we’re drinking your home brew for Thanksgiving…

What?  You’re not making beer for Thanksgiving?  You don’t have a home brew that you make special for Thanksgiving?

Well, how weird is that?

It must not be a tradition everyone shares.  But, see if you can relate to any of these:

• Sitting on the couch and eating Thanksgiving while watching football.
• Same thing…sitting on the recliner with a food tray.
• Saying, “It’s not worth it.  We’re going to a restaurant.”
• I ordered Pizza and Wings one year…

That was the year I had just finished my home bar and I made my first home brew for our New Happy Thanksgiving Tradition. 

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and enjoys their own traditions, whatever they may be!

American Home Brewing As We Know It Today

American home brewing adapts to the changes in the political and economic climates of the country. Back in the 90s, America had been the top producer of beer. However, with the global recession that is happening now, many companies are closing. Although of course, some argue that as the economy worsens, beer sells more – many get depressed and thus forget their economic woes through the messy route of drinking. Some people, instead of wasting precious money by raking the bars every night, adapt to the situation – and that is by turning towards home made beer.

As was mentioned, American home brewing has been very flexible through time. Back in the old America, home brewing was already a part of colonial lives. Even famous personalities such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were home brew aficionados.

During the prohibition, no one was allowed to brew their own drinks at home. A penalty of one thousand dollars was imposed on those who were caught – and back then one thousand dollars went a long way. Either that or they were sentenced one year imprisonment. Everybody had to content with a watered down lifeless beer – well not really beer but something which was a very poor substitute for it. Nothing substantially alcoholic was allowed and few took efforts in making their drinks less alcoholic but tasty. Thirsty daring beer lovers stealthily bought ingredients and beer brewing equipment. Some very enterprising shop owners found ways of selling them without associating them with beer making or anything about beer at all. Beer ingredients, after all, are as normal as other ingredients – grains, yeast, etcetera, and the equipment – buckets, vats, what really is there to question when they are put up for sale? The situation varied from state to state. In some states, only those selling home brews were caught while in some, brewing for personal consumption also meant facing legal charges. And since ingredients and materials had to be sold and bought discreetly, there really was nothing much to experiment on. Those years could probably be considered the dark ages for home brewing.

Before beer was allowed to be brewed at home, a change in law allowed people to make their own wine at home, but now people had to obtain a permit to brew beer at home… strange but true. Even though there were strict regulations, this breath of fresh air was welcomed by the home beer brewing community. One off this first home beer brewers was Charlie Papazian, and he took it to himself to start teaching others how to brew their own beer at home… it was tough going as for those that didn’t have a permit it was illegal, but Charlie kept the dream alive.

Over time, all the ridiculous rules about brewing beer at home were fully relaxed with Jimmy Carter signing an amendment in 1978 to allow home brewers the opportunity to brew up to 200 gallons of beer a year without any permits or other silly nuances. This then sparked interest far and wide for the American Home Brewer and really led the emergence of a beer nation like no other.

American Home Brewing is happening and booming today, so of-course it’s time to sit down, relax, and have a home brew. For those still not up to scratch with home brewing beer, follow the link to discover more!

Save Money By Brewing Your Own Beer

A nice cold beer on a hot day – there are few things in life that are more pleasurable, and the best way to round off a hard days work is, in many peoples mind, a trip to their favorite bar to partake of a couple of glasses of their chosen brew.

Unfortunately though, the rising cost of beer over the years has resulted in lots of people having to think twice before indulging. The reason for these prices rises are well documented – taxes and the increased price of the raw materials, and though we understand that prices for everything rise over time, the speed at which it is has risen for beer has led many of us to think that maybe it just isn’t worth it.

People have been aware of the benefits of having a home brewery for some time now. Still, there is a sense that it’s not the same as bought beer – that it somehow isn’t as good. With well-stocked stores and bars all around them, some people simply think “Why should I bother to brew my own?”. However, as prices at the liquor store and the local bar climb ever higher, it is now more than ever an option to be considered. A home brewery allows you to have a few beers when you want at a price that suits your pocket.

Remember that home-brewed beer is not lesser than paid for beer; it is just a matter of trial and error. It will take a little time to get the end product perfect initially, as there are few if us who are lucky enough to master the art first time around, but even those early batches will still be drinkable; you won’t be wasting your time making something that you can’t enjoy. Then, with some experimentation and a bit of persistence, you’ll be able to create a range of great beers, that are suited to your own particular tastes.

But you’re thinking – home brewery kits must be expensive? Well, not at all. Certainly so, when compared to what you would spend on a months worth of trips to your sports bar to watch a couple of games at a time, you can begin to see big savings very quickly. But you think the atmosphere will be lacking? Not if you invite your friends around to watch the game and enjoy your home brew too. Believe me, by the time you’re producing a quality end product, you’ll have no shortage of people wanting to pay you a visit .

As hobbies go, home brewing is something that can make perfect sense. Rather than having a hobby that goes nowhere, the beer lover can enjoy the feeling of making something themselves, with the added advantage that no beer tastes finer than that which you have brewed to your own recipe. The endless variations that you can come up with will make it more fun than you could imagine, and all for a reasonable price.

Luke Porter is a home brewing beer enthusiast, and an expert author. You are invited to discover the simple secrets of brewing world class beer from the comfort of your home by reading his latest book, “Home Beer Brewing Secrets” available online today!

Like Beer? Brew Your Own!

Home brewing is something which has been popular for many years. Still, many are resolute that convenience is best for them and continue to drink only beer that they have paid for at a liquor store or at a bar. However, the thing about that kind of convenience is that you pay for it every time. It may not be much at the time, but add it up over a years worth of parties, games, dinners and nights out and it starts to amount to a lot.

The issue of paying an upfront sum for beer brewing supplies puts a lot of people off getting involved with it. They calculate that they could have a few nights at their local bar for the same cost and think to themselves that it would be a lot less effort to do so too. However, look at the situation beyond just a few weeks ahead and you’ll see that home brewing is a much better option. After the initial amount that you pay for the kit and supplies, which is little more than the cost of a few crates anyway, you’ll have the potential to make enough beer to see you through the next couple of months.

To some people, the idea of making their own beer is too much like hard work. That’s why we have major breweries to do it for us, is it not? Well, yes, the breweries are there to make your life easier, but think of it this way – it’s like eating out at a restaurant all of time compared to cooking at home yourself. At first restaurant food seems better than anything you could possibly cook yourself, but, with a little practice, you soon develop your own recipes that are superior. It’s exactly the same with beer brewing.

Beer brewing supplies are easily sourced. Most larger towns will have a specialist store that stocks the required equipment and ingredients, but don’t worry if your town doesn’t as there are plenty of suppliers on the internet. In fact, buying via the internet may be the best option anyway as the prices tend to be lower. Do a little online research first to find out what you need. There are various beer brewing forums that are full of like-minded beer lovers who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Beer brewing supplies come with instructions if you have never brewed beer at home before, it is worth following these closely to make sure you do not miss out an important step. The best way to learn how to do something right is to keep doing it and get the technique down. Once you have the basics learnt, you can then start deviating from the standard processes in order to make your own special recipes. You’ll soon be viewing it less like hard work and more like fun!

Luke Porter is a home brewing beer enthusiast, and an expert author. You are invited to discover the simple secrets of brewing world class beer from the comfort of your home by reading his latest book, “Home Beer Brewing Secrets” – available online today!

Fort Worth Examiner Announces Death of Microbrewer and Author Greg Noonan

From Fort Worth Examiner Debbie Cerda

Microbrewer Greg Noonan has been reported to have died in his sleep at home early Sunday morning, according to this Beer Advocate forum. Visitors to the Vermont Pub and Brewery on Sunday found the pub closed, with a sign posted: "Greg Noonan  March — 1951 – Oct. 11th 2009."  What does the death of a craft brewer in Vermont have to do with craft beer in Austin? Plenty.

Greg was one of the best known craft brewers in America, having pioneered the craft beer industry for microbreweries and brewpubs. His books on brewing are mandatory reading for both home and microbrewers, including "New Brewing Lager: The Most Comprehensive Book for Home and Microbrewers" published in 1986 and re-issued in 2003. His sour-mashing techniques were featured in this homebrewing article which appeared in the October 2008 edition of Brew Your Own magazine.

He was a well-known speaker at brewers’ conferences and author of numerous trade journal articles and books. Greg spoke in Texas at the 1998 Bluebonnet Brew-off Homebrew Competition about the beer style he’s authored a book on- Scotch Ales. He provided his expertise by consulting on the startup and design of several pubs and breweries, and helped legalize brewpubs in Vermont by lobbying the legislature for three years to allow pub brewing. His own Vermont Pub and Brewery which opened in 1988 is the third oldest brewpub on the East Coast. Five years later brewpubs became legal in Texas in June of 1993.

It was reported in a 2001 All About Beer article by Stan Hieronymus that Greg bought his malt for his two brewpubs in the Northeast from St. Patrick’s of Texas, an Austin homebrew supply store. The original storefront was located next to Billy Forrester’s Waterloo Brewing Company, the first brewpub in Texas. St. Patrick’s began importing undermodified Czech malt from Moravia in 1998, which was also bought by Austin microbrewery Live Oak Brewing for their Live Oak Pilz.

In 2005, Greg was presented with the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing at the Craft Brewers Conference from the Brewers Association (see "Past Winners"). More on Greg Noonan excerpted from an article in Business People-Vermont:

"Noonan was brewing beer as a hobby while working as a manufacturing manager for paper and wood products companies in Massachusetts. Microbreweries were just becoming trendy on the West Coast, and he decided to pursue the commercial possibilities for his craft.

He had managed restaurants in New Hampshire and Boston and wanted his own restaurant to feature his brew. He used the results of his research for Brewing Lager Beer to launch his brewpub in Burlington.

“I specifically sited my brewery in Burlington because it’s where I wanted to live. I admired the politics in Vermont,” says Noonan. “I had $175,000, which is a shoestring budget in the brewing industry; brewing equipment is very expensive.”

He applied to several banks for additional funds, but lenders were skeptical. “The banks all said, ‘What is a brewpub?’ But I plunged on anyway with the money I had.”"

Without craft brewing pioneers like Greg Noonan, the brewpub and microbrew industry in Austin as well as Texas may not exist as it does today. He will be sorely missed by all in the craft beer community everywhere.

Homemade Wine Tips

Making homemade wine can a great hobby and a lot of fun to boot. There is nothing like the feeling of opening your own wine and knowing that what you created surpasses many of the high priced winery wines. However, while making wine may be fun, there is a bit of a learning curve.

Before beginning your wine making endeavor, there are some important things that you need to have a real understanding of. There are plenty of experts, websites and books where you can learn the basics and nuances of wine making. There are a lot of places where you can pick up all the equipment needed at reasonable prices both online and at a brick and mortar.

The easiest way to start making homemade wine is to purchase a wine kit. Beginners will find it much simpler to using a wine kit to start with and then move on and up from there.

While it might be a good idea to use quality equipment for wine making it is more important to use top notch ingredients. The higher the quality of ingredients the better your wine will taste, but fear not, if you are on a budget you can still make wine from juice concentrate!

It can take anywhere from seven to ten weeks to complete the entire wine making process and it varies between wine types. Do not drink your wine early because you will ruin the final product and wine is better the longer it gets to age.

Websites and books are great resources for finding yummy wine recipes from dandelion wine to merlot. You can turn your special homemade wine into a personalized gift for someone, tailoring the taste to that of the receiver. A wine lover will appreciate a gift of wine designed especially for them!

Packaging your homemade wine can be an important aspect of the wine making process. From the bottle to the cork to the wine label, it can all give your wine that special touch. Wine labels are probably the most important aspect for personalizing your wine.

The wine label will give one the overall impression of the wine. Wine labels are used for logos, the name of the wine and putting personal messages on the bottle that is used as a gift. Sounds like so much fun!

George Washington – Beerthusiast

Posted by CarBoy Films

The Father of Our Country loved his beer.  English–style porter was George Washington’s drink of choice and whenever he could he would seek out the product of Robert Hare, a brewer in Philadelphia who was one of the first to make porter in the U.S. Washington was no stranger to homebrew either and this recipe from a personal notebook he kept will make 30 gallons of ale, enough for a large household like Mount Vernon.

"Take a large Sifter full of Bran, Hops to your Taste—Boil these 3 hours.  Then strain out 30 Gallons into a Cooler put in 3 Gallons Molasses while the Beer is scalding hot or rather drain the molasses into the Cooler. Strain the Beer on it while boiling hot let this stand til it is little more than Blood warm. Then put in a quart of Yeast if the weather is very cold cover it over with a Blanket. Let it work in the Cooler 24 hours then put it into the Cask. leave the Bung open til it is almost done working—Bottle it that day Week it was Brewed."

"To Make Small Beer” is the title of this recipe. “Small beer” is normally brew made from the second runnings through the mash for strong ale and the beer that is created has very little alcohol (about 3%).  However, a note on the NPR website says that the above recipe produces a beer with an alcohol content of about 11 %.  If this was George’s “small beer” then consumption of his “large beer” must have somehow disrupted space-time for its imbiber. Compare that ABV to a popular modern American brew, say Sam Adams Boston Lager at 4.9%, and you realize that “Town Destroyer”, as the Iroquois nicknamed Washington, wasn’t effin around.   In fact, I think he might have been trying to kill himself and anyone around him.

So if you try this recipe use caution (or just less molasses) and for God’s sake send us pictures of the aftermath.

Image by cliff1066