Are you sick of paying an arm and a leg for a schooner at your local? Why not try your hand at brewing your own! Many blokes like to get a little crafty when it comes to beer; it’s not just for mad scientists working out of roller door garages. We’ve put together a little list of resources to help you get started.
Disclaimer: we recommend getting a mate who was a big ol’ nerd in chemistry in high school on board. A ‘she’ll be right’ attitude will go a long way, but won’t stop you from puking your guts up when you get the measurements and combinations wrong.
How-To-Guides
First things first, how the heck do you go about doing this? We found Clever Brewing a good, no frills guide that’ll tell it like it is. They acknowledge that they do use a little bit of homebrew jargon when they get into the nitty gritty. But they also provide a useful glossary of terms so that you can look up any words that are making you scratch your head in confusion. You could even try dropping these words into your own conversations, and sound like you really know what you’re doing!
The Right Tools for the Job
So you have the know-how, now what about the tools to get the job done? We recommend a starter kit for first-timers. The main reason for this is that they’re relatively inexpensive (less than $100) and realistically, you could find yourself up shit creek without a paddle, and penniless, if it goes wrong.
BrewSmith have a great selection of starter kits targeted at brewers of different tastes. From pale ale to dark brews and even one with a hint of honey for the sweet tooths, you’re pretty much spoilt for choice. There’s even a cider starter kit for the (scoff) non-beer drinkers.
Ideas and Inspiration
Now we’re going to make a suggestion that may seem a little dubious, but hear us out. Pinterest is a great way to find tips, hints, ideas and visual cues for brewing beer. We know you’re thinking, ‘isn’t Pinterest that app chicks use to plan their weddings?’ Well sit tight, because that very app is about to offload a truckload of information your way, and – spoiler alert – it isn’t about table settings and floral arrangements! So sit your Missus down, get her to show you the ropes, and get researching! You may even find a Pin of gold like the one we stumbled across on the right.
Warning: Pinterest is highly addictive, and we will not be held responsible for the amount of time you spend on there.
Word of Advice
Some of the best projects started with a good old yarn over a pint. The best advice comes from those who have succeeded (and failed a lot in the process). So grab your nerdy mate (the one who laundered his lab coat), and head down to the nearest brewhouse, micro brewery or brewing supply shop to pick the guy behind the bar’s brains. Places where the beer is brewed onsite are best, for more reliable knowledge. A few joints to suss out around Brisbane include Newstead Brewing Co. and Brewhouse Brisbane. Even if the advice ends up being worthless, the beer’s still cold!
Workshops
If you’re more of a ‘dip your toes in the water first’ kind of bloke, there are plenty of ways to try out home brewing without investing in all the gear. Brews Brothers Microbrewery in Woolloongabba conduct a two-hour beer making workshops that includes a tour of their brewery so you can really get a feel for the whole shebang. If you’re looking for something a bit more hands-on, Costanzo Brewing Consultants offer four-day ‘Masterbrew’ brewing courses. If you take this course and feel like it’s your only calling in life (making and drinking beer; the dream job!), they carry out an annual ‘start your own microbrewery’ course that could have you on the road to success in no time!
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