Beer has a rich, fascinating, and delicious history. The earliest known records of the liquids date back to Jiahu, China in 7000 BCE. Since then, it has continuously developed its styles and flavors.
It has also hit many stumbling blocks, most notoriously during the Prohibition era. During this period, consuming, distributing, importing, and transporting alcoholic beverages was illegal. However, plenty of people were brewing beer under the government’s noses.
If you want to be like these pioneers, you have come to the right place. Below, you can uncover how to brew beer at home without a kit!
Beer Ingredients and Equipment
There is a range of beer ingredients and equipment you can choose from. Since this is a guide without a beer-making kit, you will find the simplest and most basic things to make beer.
After some time, you can adapt the recipes or upgrade your tools.
- Water
- Alcohol yeast
- Hops
- Malt extract
- Large pot
- Fermentation vessel
- Airlock
- Siphoning tubes or hoses
- Bottles
- Bottle capper and caps
- Sanitizer
Process for Making Beer
Contrary to popular belief, making beer is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is learn the basics and stick to the close guidelines.
These are the steps to make your first homebrew with limited supplies.
1. Sanitize Everything
No matter how experienced you are, always begin with sanitizing your tools. If you fail to do so, you may have already destroyed your beer.
Even a tiny amount of bacteria can stop your brew from fermenting. Or it can affect the taste.
2. Creating a Mash
To create a mash, gather 5 ounces of water, a large pot that holds at least 8 ounces, and your malt extract. Begin by putting your pot on a stove until it reaches between 145°F and 156°F.
Next, add 6-7 pounds of malt extract to the water and mix. You must steep the mixture for 45 minutes within the desired temperature. After this time you have your wort.
3. Boiling the Wort
Bring the wort to a boil to kill any existing bacteria and extract flavors. Once it’s boiled, add your hops or substitutes such as rosemary, juniper berries, or ginger. This is what gives the beer its bitter quality.
You can boil for up to an hour, but the longer you wait, the more bitter your beer will be.
4. Fermenting Your Wort
After you cool your wort to room temperature, you can ferment the liquid. This is when you create alcohol in the liquid.
Transfer the wort to your fermenter and sprinkle the yeast on top. Remember to seal the bucket with an airlock so no air can enter, but carbon dioxide can leave.
If you don’t have an airlock, you can use a balloon. When it fills with air, poke a hole with a pin so the CO2 can leave.
5. Primary Fermentation
Store your fermenter in a dark room between 56°F and 68°F.
Depending on the temperature and your yeast, fermentation can take between 5-10 days. You will know it is finished once the airlock stops bubbling or all the yeast falls to the bottom.
6. Bottling Beer
Once the fermentation is complete, add your beer to the sanitized bottles.
A siphon or hose pipe is vital for transferring liquid. It stops it from splashing and coming into contact with the air. Add a teaspoon of sugar per 500ml so it can carbonize.
Finally, cap your bottles or flip-top glasses and leave for at least two more weeks for secondary fermentation. In the meantime, check out these koozies to enjoy with your homemade beer!
You Know How to Brew Beer at Home Without a Kit
Homebrewing is a fun activity you can enjoy with little equipment and supplies. Not only is it enjoyable, but you get fantastic rewards at the end of your work. After learning how to brew beer at home without a kit, you know the process can take up to a month. So don’t waste more time, and start making unique types of beer today!