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Information provided here is meant to be a basic guide
to home fermentation, both in brewing beer and in
wine-making. There are several similarities between
the two. Some of the equipment you purchase can be
used for both applications. The process for converting
sugar to alcohol is the same for beer and wine.
Therefore the basic technique you use is transferable.
Home fermentation is meant to be a hobby and pursued
as such, so be creative and have fun.
BREWING - Basically brewing (fermentation) has
been going on since the beginning of time. It is a
simple process of mixing water, grains, yeast and at
some point, an alcohol type liquid can be extracted.
Since berries and grains were early man’s diet, most
likely someone let the rain get to the grain or
berries stored for the winter and guess what they had
come spring? We have refined the procedure a little
since then and now follow these basic steps. Barley is
sprouted and then roasted under certain conditions to
convert the starch portion of the grain to sugar. The
grain is cracked or milled coarsely and hot water
(approximately 152°F) is added or steeped over the top
to produce a sweet liquid called wort. The extraction
of this wort is called mashing. This wort is simply
unfermented beer. The wort is then boiled to convert
protein and unfermentable sugar to fermentable sugars
and also to clarify the beer and keep it from turning
cloudy or having off flavors. During this boiling
process, hops are added at different times to produce
bittering or aromatic enhancement. Keep in mind, this
is a short version of beer making and as you advance,
so will your quest for additional information.
CLEANING AND STERILIZATION - First you must
clean and sterilize. It is absolutely necessary to set
enough time aside to clean up after every phase of
home fermentation. Not only will this save you money
and time in the long run, but it will probably keep
the people in your immediate surrounding happier as
well. Cleaning and sterilization, in beer making, is
the key to good beer. With the use of cleanser and
sterilizer, etc., you will eliminate the possibility
of spoilage. Beer making, and the process of, are a
perfect environment for bacterial growth and the
spread of infections, which cause off flavor and
molding of the brew. Bacteria is spread two ways,
either through the air or by transfer meaning liquid
movement (touch), so thoroughly wash, clean and
sterilize every kettle, fermenter, bottles, syphon
system, etc. you use.
Visit our website and store for product information
and supplies. All beer kits available from our website
or catalog require less than an hour to make (Our
Brewery Equipment System work great with these “one
hour” kits) with the exception of Barkingbier
Ingredient Kits-Great tasting kits you can brew in
your kitchen. The following is a list of items you may
need to brew a batch of our very own popular
Barkingbier kits: Stainless Steel or Enamel Pot (min.
3 & 4 gal. capacity unless otherwise specified), 6" -
10" Mesh Strainer, Rubber Spatula, 8"-12" Funnel (if
fermenting in carboy), min. 6 gallons capacity Fermenter, Airlock, Syphon System, Hydrometer,
Thermometer, Bottle Brush, Cleanser/Sterilizer, 5
gallon Bottling Bucket or Fermenter, 48-53 Beer
Bottles, Crown Caps and Bottle Capper.
*Product information is courtesy of their respective
manufacturers and suppliers.
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