Ask A Chicago Expert: Tips For Brewing Your Own Beer
Chicago Brew Werks
14903 S. Center St., Unit 107
Plainfield, IL 60544
www.chicagobrewwerks.com
Brandon Wright, owner and head brewer of Chicago Brew Werks, noted that home brewing doesn't have to be intimidating. "People come in and worry about brewing; they want to make sure it turns out right. If you can make chili on your stovetop, you can make beer. People should definitely try it. If you love beer, it's an awesome hobby to get into. If you have a creative side to you, this is a cool hobby to explore," he said. Chicago Brew Werks is a home brewing supply store that offers an assortment of equipment and kits for beer, wine and cider, and has a brewery. The shop also has a selection of grains, hops and other equipment, and offers classes that teach the basics of homebrewing.
Chicago Homebrew Alchemists of Sud
chaosbrewclub.net
Homebrewer James Tsai noted one of the mistakes someone new to the hobby might make is not planning enough time for the brewing process. "For your first day, don't plan for four hours. Block out extra time and have patience for the process to flow smoothly," he said. Tsai is a member of Chicago Homebrew Alchemists of Sud (CHAOS). The organization is dedicated to helping homebrewers in the Chicago area learn and perfect the craft, and regularly hosts classes on homebrewing. Other events include cookoffs and tasting parties featuring beer brewed by members.
If you've never brewed beer at home, don't worry. In addition to reading books on the topic or watching videos on YouTube, Wright suggested taking a class. "If you're near a home brew shop, reach out to them and take a class. It really takes away the intimidation factor. A good mentor to walk you through the home brew really helps," he said. He also noted that help might be found within your personal network. "If you talk about home brewing at work or with your friends, there's a good chance you know someone and they'll be happy to help mentor," he said.
According to Wright, home brewers can get creative with process to create a beer that's truly unique. "Start with a basic kit and add to it," he said. "As [brewers] get better in the hobby, they'll add different ingredients at different stages in the brewing process. It depends on what you're looking for in the beer. You can do a cold-brewed coffee, and you can add it to different steps and get different flavors," Wright noted. You don't have to cash out on expensive equipment when you're first getting into the hobby, either. "You can totally start on the basic side of things. A beginner's kit is about $75, and you might need a few cases of bottles. Realistically, you can do it for under $100 for equipment. The ingredients can range up to $60 and depends on the amount of ingredients that go into it," Wright said.
Wright stressed the importance of cleanliness when it comes to home brewing. He noted that one of the biggest mistakes a home brewer can make is not cleaning equipment properly. "You have to make sure everything is clean, and you're always washing your hands. No one likes the taste of beer that's funky or off," he said.
It's one thing to follow directions to making beer, but Tsai noted it's quite another to learn about the process of brewing. "There is a lot of the chemistry involved in brewing beer. If you follow the directions step-by-step, it can be surprising how a lot of the stuff works. Start with a basic recipe, and learning how things happen can be surprising," he said.
When it comes to trends in homebrewing in Chicago, Tsai noted that sour beers are a popular brew style. "Trends in homebrewing tend to follow craft beer. People think 'I drank all these cool sours. Maybe I can make one?' IPAs are popular too," he said.
Related: Best Sour Beers In Chicago
