Beer Making Kit

A 7- to 10-gallon polyethylene pail will do the job nicely, but brewers should make certain the vessel is food grade. It should also have a very tight-fitting lid and must have an opening at the top through which a fermentation lock can be inserted. These pails can be purchased at an online brew making equipment site or found at home improvement centers.

Bottles And Caps

Remember not to use non-returnable bottles because in most instances they will prove too fragile. Bottles are usually 12- to 16-ounces in volume and are nearly always sold with the appropriate caps. Home brewers will also need a bottle capper; these are usually sold at food supply stores, as are the bottles themselves.

Fermentation Lock For Brewing
This device allows carbon dioxide to escape during the fermentation process. It contains two separate bulbs that are connected to a tube. When inserted into the brewing vessel, the fermentation lock acts much like a sink trap. The carbon dioxide bubbles are allowed to escape, but outside air cannot get in.

Brewing Saccharometer
This simple device tests the sugar content of the fermenting beer. It is used after the malted barley and hops are mixed with boiled water and sugar, even before the brewer’s yeast is added. For beer that is to have an alcohol content of 6 percent, the saccharometer reading at this time should be twice this, or 12 percent. The saccharometer will not give an accurate reading unless it is twirled to release any bubbles that may be clinging to it.

The saccharometer is also used as a measuring tool during fermentation. When the sugar level drops below about 5 percent, the beer is siphoned into a second polyethylene pail.

After a few more weeks the sugar level will fall to about 1 percent, and fermentation is complete.

Saccharometers are usually sold by beer making supply distributors, but can often be found at specialty food stores or restaurant supply outlets.

Thermometer
This should be the immersible type and accurately show temperatures from about 50°F to somewhat above the boiling point of water. These can be purchased at a restaurant supply store or through most beer making supply distributors.

Siphon Hose
The same one used for the home aquarium will do just fine, but make sure that it is long enough for the job. Practicing using water will give beginners a good idea of where to place the pails when the real brewing is done.

Remember that all equipment used in home brewing must be clean and sanitized prior to use to eliminate the possibility of contamination during the fermentation process. All of the above equipment can be acquired for a very modest cost, and can be used repeatedly.