Everything You Need For Your First Homebrew

Everything You Need For Your First Homebrew

In this article I break down everything you need for your first homebrew, a big emphasis on the word need. While this list will get you started, and is everything I used to start, it will definitely not be the best process. There are a lot of different options for equipment out there and some will make the process a lot easier, while also improving the quality of your beer. If home brewing is something you are really passionate about, but you don’t have a ton of extra money, I suggest you start here and get better equipment as you get the money.

Equipment:

1. 1. Recipe – unless you’ve read a ton of books on how to make beer and how different grains, hops, and yeast affect your brew; I suggest you start with a recipe. These can be purchased online or in homebrewing stores, complete with all pre measured ingredients and step by step instructions. The recipe will contain the following ingredients:
      • • Grains, malt extract, or both
      • • Hops
      • • Yeast
      • Sugar

1. 1. Brewpot – If you’re brewing a five-gallon batch, the minimum size I would recommend is three gallons (you can brew a concentrated version and water it to the correct concentration after brewing). The bigger, the better for this. Nothing is worse than having to clean up sticky wort! Trust me!

1. 1. Stirring Spoon – Make sure this is large enough to stir the wort without sticking your hand in it

1. 1. Fermenter with lid– this is where the magic happens! A six-gallon food-grade plastic fermenter is recommended for your first brew
      

      The Northern Brewer 6.5 Gallon Fermenting Bucket I use

1. 1. Airlock – This goes on your fermenter; without this releasing built up gas, your beer will explode all over you

1. 1. Bottle Capper – once your beer is ready to be bottled, you’ll need something to push the caps on tight

1. 1. Bottle Caps – A five-gallon batch will yield 54 12oz. bottles or you can use this calculator here.

1. 1. Bottles – You can purchase some empty bottles at a store, or just reuse your empties (be sure to clean them thoroughly) – be sure these are pop tops and not twist tops.

1. Food grade Sanitizer – The most important aspects of brewing good beer is making sure it’s clean and safe to drink. I’ve lost a batch due to sanitation reasons and losing all that beer is heart breaking… Make sure to clean and sanitize well.
   

   The food grade sanitizing solution I use.

Like this article? Think something’s missing? Let me know in the comments below! Be sure to follow my social media accounts and sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on my adventures!