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  

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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, the more you think about it, the better an idea it becomes. OK, so the cost is a little bit more than a few crates, but once you’ve got the kit you can keep using it, and when you find your supplier, beer brewing supplies can make more quantity for your spending than you would be able to buy for the same amount.

As well as the initial costs, some people are put off home brewing because it sounds like a lot of effort. It must be better to just let the breweries take care of all of the behind the scenes stuff for us, right? 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.

As for the supplies you need, these can be found easily enough. 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.

Once you have bought the necessary equipment and supplies, you will just need to follow the instructions that come with them. It is simple enough, just remember not to miss out any of the steps. Hands on learning and regular practice is the best way to make progress. Once you have the basics learnt, you can then start deviating from the standard processes in order to make your own special recipes. Brewing your own beer may sound like too much hassle but its really worth the effort.

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!

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If you are just starting to brew, if you are curious, or if you are a brewer looking for an A-Z guide, this is the one to get. Home Beer Brewing Secrets gives you a solid foundation of knowledge that will serve you well in your brewing pursuits. Everything is presented in a simple-to-understand format that answers all your questions from the most basic, to as technical as you could possibly want!

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Here’s just some of what you’ll discover:

• - Learn the 10 crucial steps to an irresistibly refreshing home brew
• - Learn about the ingredients of all forms of beer
• - How to prevent your precious brew from getting spoiled… using one simple, inexpensive tool
• - Which beer bottle you must use to prevent beer being spoiled during storage
• - Simple formula that lets you adjust alcohol content up or down (I suggest UP!)
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Home Beer Brewing Secrets

5 Home Brewing Tips to Avoid the Dreaded Bottle Bomb

by Brad Smith in Homebrewing

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1. Use High Quality Ingredients

The quality of brewing ingredients in the 1980s was nowhere near the quality home brewers have access to today.  However, you still need to be careful when purchasing ingredients – particularly those that look like they have been on the shelf for a while.  First, always use fresh malts and malt extract.  Older liquid and dried malt extract in particular will ferment much more slowly than comparable all-grain wort.   Yeast also has a limited shelf life.  Liquid yeast is generally of higher quality than dried packets, but it must be stored under refrigeration and must be used in the recommended shelf life.  Liquid yeasts are typically dated – so pay attention to the date when you purchase and use the yeast.  Old, expired yeast will ferment slowly or possibly incompletely contributing to exploding bottles.

2. Allow the Beer to Ferment Completely

One of the chief causes of exploding homebrew bottles is beer that has not been fully fermented before bottling.  Many home brewers are anxious to drink their newest brew and rush it into the bottle too early.  The beer then completes its fermentation in the bottle, producing extra CO2 pressure that can cause bottles to fail.  Malt extract based beer will ferment more slowly than a comparable all grain beer, so malt extract brewers are at higher risk.  Finally, many extract brewers use plastic buckets with covers that seal poorly.  As a result, gas may leak out the edge of the bucket rather than through your airlock.  A beginner will interpret the lack of airlock activity as an indicator that fermentation is complete, never realizing that the CO2 from active fermentation is leaking from the cover.  I usually allow a minimum of two weeks for an average beer to ferment before bottling, and wait a longer period if brewing a high gravity beer.

3. Use Good Bottles, and Inspect Them

A poor quality bottle is a recipe for disaster.  Even under normal carbonation, a beer bottle at room temperature can reach 30+ psi.  Never use a twist off bottle – they are too thin and your caps will not properly seal.  Select the thickest bottles you can find, clean them thoroughly and inspect each of them by holding them up to a light source each time you use them.   Immediately toss any cracked, chipped or thin bottles.  Consider purchasing high quality reusable bottles from your homebrew store – these are generally better than disposable commercial bottles.  If you use them several times, the cost is quite reasonable.

4. Calculate and Weigh the Right Amount of Priming Sugar

Sugar density varies tremendously depending on who made the sugar – one cup of corn sugar from one manufacturer weigh dramatically more than another.   Weigh your priming sugar – don’t just measure it by volume.  You can calculate the exact weight of priming sugar needed using a spreadsheet, online calculator or BeerSmith.

5. Store your Beer in a Cool Dark Place

Light and heat are natural enemies of finished beer.  Light and heat break down critical flavor compounds, promote additional fermentation and increase the CO2 pressure in the bottle.  As you heat a bottle of beer, it also dramatically increases the pressure in the bottle itself.  Store your beer in a cool dark place to avoid bottle bombs and preserve its natural flavor.