Making beer at home can be
both a fascinating and rewarding hobby, but for me it’s always a struggle. I
never get it right.
Even today I’m still
struggling to make ‘umqombothi’, which is traditional beer made from maize,
maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water. It is a long process which many
things go wrong.
So, speaking to master brewer
of the Standeaven Brewery, Shaun Standeaven about home brewing mistakes most of
us beginners usually make, this is what he said:
"Don’t get stuck in the box of making beers that are big high
alcohol beers
...Think about the beers you drank mostly before starting to brew
and don’t be afraid to try create something like them, a standard alcohol easy
drinking beer isn’t the worst thing in the world, especially when you arrive
home to a fridge full or them. Get involved with your local home-brew club."
"Start off slow
... Take it one step at a time don’t go crazy
and by the biggest set up or system in the world, something as simple as a pot
on the stove also does the trick.
"Not every beer will turn out perfect
... Learn from your
mistakes. I doubt there is any brewer out there that hasn’t had a bad batch or
a bad beer before, don’t get discouraged learn form it and solider on. Trust me
all your friends will love your beer because who doesn’t love free beer. Beware
brewing is addictive.