151 - Making beer

Life is once and what would life be like without attempting to make some beer.

A few weeks ago I was working with a new coworker and she mentioned to me that she makes beer and it really isn’t that difficult. I was intrigued... a few months ago I was browsing beer start kits online but what to buy...

She recommended that I go to Dan’s Home Brewing Supplies located on 692 East Hastings. I dropped by and asked one of the men in charge what I needed...

$130 later... I had a carboy, a big bucket, some tubes, a hydrometer, malt extract, two types of hops and some grains. I was wondering what the hell am I supposed to do with all these things.

Luckily, Dan’s Home Brewing Supplies gave me instructions on how to make my first batch of beer (called Strathcona Pale Ale). I’m a complete beginner to all these new terms and I had to read the instructions three times to comprehend everything.

I had to buy one other thing and that was a strainer that would sit on top of my big pail.

First, you have to let the grains steep (basically another word for soak). Then you have to boil water and put in the malt extract. After that’s done the juice of the grains is added and then the hops. After that the flavoring hops are added... transfer all the stuff to the bucket (I should note that I sanitized the bucket). Add some yeast and cover... I also had to use my hydrometer for the first time and I have a feeling my beer is going to be mighty strong.

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Come to think of it, this first step was pretty simple. I have to wait five to seven days to see whether my beer will taste any good. If it doesn’t... life goes on.

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© Quigley Mark 2013