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| The Double Luck Brewing Process |
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URL: http://www.doubleluck.com/things/brewery/process/index.php
Last modified: Wed, 27 May 2009 13:22:58 -0600
Copyright © 1999-2010 Larry Bristol - All rights reserved.
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The process of homebrewing can be classified into three distinct techniques, ranging from the very simple to
the complex.
Each of the techniques shares certain steps in common with the others.
In reality, regardless of the technique used by the homebrewer, all of the steps in making beer are exactly the
same.
The differences among the homebrewing techniques concern only who it is that actually performs which of the
steps.
In the most complex technique, the homebrewer performs most or all the steps himself.
In order to simplify the process that the homebrewer follows, he can allow experts to perform some of the steps
for him.
As more and more of the steps are performed by others, of course, the homebrewer gives up more and more control
over the finished product.
Beer Kits
The simplest of these techniques involves the use of a beer kit.
A kit consists of a beer concentrate, a thick liquid closely resembling honey or molasses.
This concentrate has been formulated by the manufacturer to produce a specific style of beer, such as a pale
ale or stout.
To make a beer using a kit, the homebrewer merely dissolves the concentrate into water, creating a liquid known
as wort.
This liquid is normally cooked (boiled) for a short time, more to insure that the concentrate has been
thoroughly dissolved than anything else, and then cooled to room temperature.
It is not necessary to cook the full volume of the target batch size.
Simply boil the amount of liquid you can readily handle, and then add clean tap water as needed to bring the
volume up to size.
The homebrewer essentially starts at step 8, Fermentation, and continues with
step 9, Conditioning, the only step remaining in the overall process.
Steps 1 through 7 are done by the experts who manufacture the beer kit.
While none of the Double Luck brews are made using this technique, this simple process will
produce very acceptable results, assuming that you can find a kit matching the style of beer desired.
Practically all homebrewers, regardless of their willingness to move on to the more advanced brewing
techniques, will get their start using beer kits.
Malt Extract Brewing
A slightly more complicated brewing technique involves the use of a basic malt extract,
available in either a liquid form (thick and sticky like honey or molasses), or as a dry powder.
The most significant difference between malt extract brewing and beer kits is that the basic malt extract does
not already contain the specialty grains and hops needed to make a specific style of beer.
(Note that while malt extracts already containing specialty grains and/or hops are available, all such products
are considered to be beer kits for the purpose of this discussion.
These products are useful in that they provide an easy transition path from beer kits into extract brewing.)
Whether he is brewing a light ale, a stout, or something in between, the homebrewer starts with the same basic
malt extract, and adds the specialty grains and hops to create the style of beer desired.
Determination of the quantity and type of specialty grains and hops to use, or recipe formulation, is the art
that the brewer brings to this level of homebrewing.
To make a beer using malt extract, the homebrewer dissolves the malt extract into water, creating
sweet wort.
Specialty grains (that do not require mashing) may be added to change the color and
flavor characteristics of the beer, and hops will be added during the boil
to complete the recipe.
The homebrewer starts with step 5, Boiling, and continues with the remaining steps in
the process.
As with beer kits, it is not necessary to boil the full volume of the target batch size.
Simply boil the amount of liquid you can readily handle, and then add clean tap water as needed to bring the
volume up to size.
Steps 1 through 4 are done by the experts who manufactured the malt extract.
A few of the Double Luck brews are made using this relatively simple technique.
While taking even more control of the brewing process gives the homebrewer more flexibility in brewing a
particular style of beer, this simplified technique will produce very good results.
It is common for homebrewers to advance to this level after making a few kits.
Perhaps they begin this change by modifying beer kits through the use of additional specialty grains and hops.
All Grain Brewing
In some cases, the homebrewer will decide to take full control over his brews by advancing to the
all grain brewing technique.
Most of the recipes made at the Double Luck Brewery use this
technique.
The homebrewer acquires the ingredients, and starts the brewing process with step 2,
Milling.
Only step 1, Malting, is done by experts, although some homebrewers are even
performing this complicated process themselves.
The following pages provide details about the entire brewing process.
Friendly Brewing ProcessSubmenu
