My first attempt at homebrewing was around 10 years ago, while at University. At this stage it wasn’t just beer. However, I quickly came to realize that the UK has some great conditions for producing cereals and hops, and to say that I became engrossed by the craft beer scene at that time would be an understatement. Thus, I became more interested in brewing beer. I studied molecular biology during my degree and PhD studies, and thought I could apply some of the science I was using in the labs to make alcohol!
I started brewing with kits and extracts, just with a plastic fermenter and glass bottles. During the lockdown, I decided to upgrade to use kegs and the all-in-one microbrewery Brewzilla (35L). This has been the hardest part for me - I’m OK with the science; however, it has been a steep learning curve understanding the equipment and tech needed.
I am very much a seasonal drinker. I like a fresh crisp beer on a hot summer’s day and darker beers during the winter evenings. Nothing too strong - I prefer the lower ABVs, so that I can enjoy the flavours of more beer, for longer.
Homebrewing is great for family time too. I regularly involve my 3-year-old daughter, teaching her the basics. Of course, her favourite part is the mashing in – we like to make a mess and make the garage smell great!
Top homebrewing tip
Don’t forget to allow enough time for the clean-up. A good clean-up pays its dividends on your next brew day. I find the amount of time needed for clean-up is approximately the same amount needed to get your wort into your fermenter (whether you are kit brewing or all grain).
Epic homebrew fail?
Rushing the clean-up, I swung open the kitchen door knocking over the fermenter (after bottling, thankfully), and the yeast trub went all over the kitchen floor and under the units – still smells now!
The love of brewing
When I have brew day, I really don’t think about much else. I have the music on and a strong coffee in hand.
The day seems to fly by without a care in the world – so it helps me relax and switch off.
