Homebrewing Made Easy

You're out at your favorite bar, throwing a few cold ones back. You stop for a moment and wonder why you're giving all your money away. You ask yourself, why can't I just make my own beer? Well, you can, and it's pretty simple. With a little knowhow and some coin, you'll be brewing beer like the masters in no time.

But before you start telling everyone you're going to start the next MGD or Budweiser, you have to plan ahead. Homebrewing is fun and worthwhile, but it can also be time consuming and expensive.

Our experienced homebrewers came up with some guidelines to help you get started -

-Research the many types of beers that are out there. Decide what is right for you. Do you want an Ale, a Stout, or a Lager? You have about nine different styles to choose from.

-Visit your local brewing store and ask questions. Find out what's involved in the process and what you need to get started. Their employees know beer and beer brewing well. They'll give you good advice and start you on the right path.

-Find someone to brew with. It's a lot more fun and it's always good to have an extra set of hands, and brains, there with you. They can also provide some financial help.

-Figure out your budget. This can get expensive. The equipment alone can cost over $150. And each beer kit costs around $25.

-Decide on where you're going to make the mess. Be sure to have plenty of room and lots of windows nearby. Brewing can make your whole place smell for quite a while.

-Do it while you're sober! We can't stress this enough. If you are drinking, you're bound to screw something up.

We at Blog-zine TBNL speak from personal experience. Remember, if you follow these guidelines, you'll be well on your way to brewing like the pros. Just be sure to send samples of your work to Blog-zine TBNL.