Using a beer kit, you can craft a personalised batch just in time for Christmastime.
Beer kits offer an approachable, fairly easy, way for beginners to get into the art of brewing, and with a bit of patience and planning, you’ll have your own flavourful ale to share with friends and family.
Here’s a detailed, easy-to-follow guide to get you started.
Step 1: Choose Your Beer Kit
To make things easy, start with a pre-assembled beer kit, which typically includes a can of malt extract (the base for the beer), hops, and yeast. The type of kit you select will determine the style and flavour of your beer, so think about what will complement your Christmas feast!
Popular Kit Styles for Christmas:
Porter or Stout: Dark, rich, and often with notes of chocolate or coffee, these heavier beers pair well with colder weather.
IPA or Pale Ale: Bright and hoppy, these can cut through rich dishes and add a refreshing counterpoint.
Winter Warmer or Spiced Ale: Some kits may even have hints of nutmeg, cinnamon, or orange peel, making for a truly festive experience.
Step 2: Gather Your Equipment
You’ll need a few extra tools to brew at home with a beer kit. Some essential equipment includes:
Fermentation bucket (25-litre capacity recommended)
Hydrometer: To measure alcohol content
Sterilising solution: Essential for cleanliness
Bottles and caps: 40-50 bottles for a standard kit
Siphon and bottling wand: For transferring and bottling
You can usually find complete starter kits online or at home-brewing shops, which have all the equipment bundled together.
Step 3: Sterilise Everything
Proper sterilisation is critical to ensure that your beer doesn’t develop any off-flavours or become contaminated. Use a sterilising solution to clean all your equipment, including the fermentation bucket, stirring spoon, siphon, and bottles. Follow the instructions on the steriliser, usually letting it sit for at least 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with warm water.
Step 4: Mix and Boil the Ingredients
Follow these steps to begin brewing:
Heat the malt extract: Place the can of malt extract in hot water for 5-10 minutes to make it easier to pour.
Add water and malt to the bucket: Pour the malt extract into the sterilised fermentation bucket and add hot water (about 5 litres) to dissolve it. Stir until well combined.
Top up with cold water: Fill the bucket with enough cold water to bring it to the recommended volume (usually around 23 litres). This should bring the temperature down to the range needed for fermentation (around 18-24°C, depending on your yeast).
Step 5: Pitch the Yeast
Once your wort (unfermented beer) is at the right temperature, it’s time to “pitch” the yeast. Sprinkle the yeast on top of the wort, then cover the fermentation bucket with its lid, making sure to fit the airlock. The airlock allows gas to escape during fermentation without letting contaminants in. Place your bucket somewhere cool, dark, and steady – ideally around 18-22°C, as extreme temperatures can kill the yeast or affect fermentation.
Step 6: Let It Ferment
For most beer kits, fermentation will take about 7-10 days. You’ll know fermentation has started when bubbles begin to escape through the airlock after about 24 hours. To ensure fermentation is complete, take a reading with your hydrometer on day 7 and again on day 10. If the readings are the same, fermentation is finished.
Step 7: Bottling Your Beer
Once fermentation is complete, it’s time to bottle:
Priming sugar: Add a small amount of priming sugar (about 5 grams per litre) to each bottle to carbonate the beer. This sugar will ferment in the bottle, creating fizz.
Siphoning: Use the siphon to transfer beer from the fermentation bucket into the bottles, avoiding any sediment at the bottom. Fill each bottle up, leaving a little space at the top.
Cap and store: Cap each bottle securely and store them in a cool, dark place for around two weeks. This will allow the beer to carbonate.
Here's a tip: For safety reasons only ever use pressurised bottles.
Step 8: Age and Enjoy!
While your beer will be drinkable after two weeks in the bottle, giving it a few more weeks to mature will enhance the flavour. Brew your beer in early November, and it will be ready to pour by Christmas.
Tips for a Festive Twist
For an added Christmas touch, you can add a few spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, or even orange peel to the fermentation bucket. Just be sparing – a small amount can go a long way!
Final Thoughts
Homebrewing is a brilliant way to add a personal touch to your holiday festivities. With a bit of time and patience, you’ll have a homemade beer ready for sharing (or gifting) come Christmas day. Cheers to a merry and malty Christmas!
An online supplier of homebrew products is Brew Genie:- https://www.brewgenie.co.uk