Henry Ford said, "Chop your own wood and it warms you twice." A similar sentiment can be said with regard to brewing beer. Take the leap, brew your own beer and you will be filled with an effervescent intoxication of pride and self-satisfaction, which far outweighs the buzz you receive from the consumption of the fruits of your labor.
Homebrewing has grown extremely popular over the past few years, and as such microbreweries, brewpubs, and craft brew stores have popped up in many major metropolises across the country. Craft brew stores offer the beer enthusiast hidden gems from around the corner and little know ancient beers from the far reaches of the Earth.
These beer boutiques often offer classes for beginners to learn the art and science of homebrewing, and may even offer the supplies you need to brew your own frothy ambrosia at home. Hop City Craft Beer & Wine in Atlanta offers brewing supplies as well as excellent homebrewing classes every Saturday.
Brewing beer is similar to cooking, except you wait a month to eat dinner. This is where the patient perfectionist will excel. Brewing is essentially boiling water, but make no mistake it’s not easy.
Measurement, timing and temperature are crucial to brewing a successful beer. The length of time will largely depend on your recipe, but it’s not unusual for it to take a couple of hours to properly cook your grains, malts, and hops. Next you’ll chill and ferment your brew. Then you wait.
After a week or so, you bottle your beer. Then you wait some more. After a couple of more weeks, you may taste your masterpiece. What you’ll discover is beer never tasted so good.
You’ll appreciate the richness of the grains, the hints of citrus, and the freshness of the hops. Then you’ll be itching to brew your next batch, and you’ll have properly paired a pastime with a passion.
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