Brews and Blues Beer and Smokin’ Blues

Happy New Year!  2009 is going to be a good year.  I have been out of home brewing long enough that I wasn't even aware that there is a beer and wine brewing supply shop in my town now.  I was stoked when I heard about it, so I went to check it out yesterday afternoon.  I don't have my money lined up to purchase my brewing equipment yet, but I should have it by the end of next week.  This shop has everything I need, so I'll gladly buy it locally to help support this place.  They have been here for three years, so hopefully they will be around a lot longer than that.  I did purchase a copy of The Complete Joy of Home Brewing during my visit yesterday.  I had a previous edition of this book but I think it has been lost in moving, so I picked up another copy.  This is a book that every home brewer should have on the shelf.  It contains information for the first time beginner as well as for the experienced expert brewer.  It's also chocked full of good beer recipes for brewers of all skill levels. 

One of my personal objectives during 2009 to accompany my re-entry into the home brewing hobby is to create a series of lessons accompanied by photos and video.  So, on the first day of the new year, I thought I would start that process by posting a lesson on the hobby.

Home brewing lesson #01:

This first lesson is very simple, but also one of the most important bits of education I can possibly offer to someone who is interested in brewing their own beer for the first time. 

1. Purchase the book shown above.  You can click on the book image and go directly to Amazon's website and order the book for less than $11.  It will be the most productive $11 you spend in your quest for great beer.  When the book arrives, you simply open the cover and start reading from page one.  You should read this book in short sittings rather than lengthy sessions.  Give yourself time to absorb what you have read.  Do not buy your home brewing equipment yet!

2.  Find several people in your local area who already do home brewing.  Hang out with them while they are brewing and spend some time watching the process being performed by an experienced brewer.  I would suggest doing this 4 to 5 times before you decide to brew your own.  Reading instructions in a book does not compare to hands-on experience.  Most home brewers will gladly let you observe and participate in their brewing projects.  I haven't met a home brewer yet who wasn't glad to share information and experience with someone else.  Another benefit of this experience is that you will quickly learn what equipment you will need in your own brewing inventory.  The best part of observing an experienced brewer is that you might just be given some of the equipment you need to get started.  Experienced brewers often have equipment sitting around not being used.  They have often upgraded some of their gear to more advanced models and they might offer you some simple bits and pieces of old home brewing kits that will save you some money when you are ready to get started. 

3.  Find a local home brewing club.  A good place to look for those is here:

http://www.beertown.org/homebrewing/listings.asp

Hopefully you will find a group in your local area.  Visit one of their meetings.  Some home brewing clubs brew beer at their meetings with a large group of hobbyists participating. 

Conclusion:

After you have completed this lesson, you will only have spent $11 and a little time in the hobby of home brewing.  You will also have a really good idea if the hobby suits you before you spend your money.  If you decided home brewing might not be for you, you aren't out of much.  If you decide you want to make your own beer, you have some excellent experience and knowledge under your belt already!

The next lesson will describe the equipment you need to get started in home brewing.  I'll be showing you the basic equipment along with a few extras you might want when you get started...