Home BrewingIf you're a beer lover who has graduated from mass-produced beers to micro brews, then perhaps it's time you took the next step and started brewing beer in your own home. It can be a bit like taking a small microbrewery and sticking it in your kitchen, and it's a growing hobby that offers not only fun and personal satisfaction, but a delicious potable product to share with friends.
Beer expert Michael Brown is a former assistant manager at the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, which specializes in imported and microbrewed beers. Brown is now employed by Central Market HEB, a Texas gourmet grocery chain, where he serves as a wine steward and teaches a class about beer. Here he offers tips for those hoping to brew beer at home: - Local shops. The first step in home brewing, says Brown, is finding a local brewing supply shop with a friendly and knowledgeable staff. Be sure to ask lots of questions when you visit, and let them know your beer preference, your budget, and how much time and space you want to devote to brewing.
- Initial investment. A typical initial investment for a small homebrew setup is around $100 for equipment and enough supplies to produce one batch of beer.
- Buy glass. Brown recommends buying fermentation equipment made of glass, as it's easier to clean than equipment made of other materials, and cleanliness is always important when you're working out of your home.
- Brews and batches. When brewing your own beer, you're the company owner, brew master and customer all rolled into one, so make whatever you like. A five-gallon batch will usually get you two and a half to three cases of beer, so you'll have enough to store away or to serve to friends at a homebrew party.
- Results. Brown thinks that there's nothing quite like handing your pals some of your home brewed beer and hearing that it's the best beer that they've ever tasted. And the pride of making something yourself will taste almost as good as the beer you've created, so get brewing!
For more information on home brewing, check out the following organizations and websites:
Beer, Beer, and More Beer
www.morebeer.com
Homebrew Headquarters
www.homebrewhq.com
Brew Your Own Magazine
byo.com
The Association of Brewers: Beer Town
www.aob.org | 
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