Brewing Craft Beers and Ales at Home

Brewing your own craft beers and ales at home is a rewarding hobby that combines art and science.

It allows you to create unique flavours tailored to your taste, and it’s a great way to impress your friends at gatherings. Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started on your home-brewing journey.

Equipment You'll Need

Brew Kettle: A large pot (at least 19 litres) for boiling the wort.

Fermenter: A vessel, usually with an airlock, where the beer will ferment. A 25-litre food-grade plastic bucket with a lid works well.

Airlock and Bung: To allow CO2 to escape without letting contaminants in.

Siphon Tubing and Racking Cane: For transferring beer between containers.

Hydrometer: To measure the specific gravity of the wort and track fermentation progress.

Thermometer: An accurate one to monitor the temperature of your brew.

Bottles and Caps: Glass bottles and a capper to store your finished beer.

Sanitiser: To keep all your equipment clean and free from bacteria.

Ingredients

Malted Barley: The primary grain used to produce fermentable sugars.

Hops: For bitterness, flavour, and aroma.

Yeast: To ferment the sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.

Water: Good quality water is crucial for good beer.

The Brewing Process

1. Preparation

Before you begin, ensure all your equipment is clean and sanitised. This step is critical to prevent infections that can spoil your beer.

2. Mashing

In this step, you'll convert the starches in the malted barley into fermentable sugars.

Heat water in your brew kettle to about 68°C.

Add the malted barley and maintain the temperature at 65-68°C for 60 minutes. Stir occasionally.

After mashing, raise the temperature to 75°C for 10 minutes to stop the enzymatic activity.

3. Sparging

This process involves rinsing the grains to extract more sugars.

Slowly pour hot water (around 75°C) over the grains and collect the run-off in the brew kettle until you have your desired volume of wort (around 19 litres).

4. Boiling

Boil the wort and add hops at various stages for bitterness, flavour, and aroma.

Bring the wort to a vigorous boil.

Add the first portion of hops (bittering hops) at the start of the boil.

After 45 minutes, add more hops (flavour hops).

In the last 10 minutes of the boil, add the final hops (aroma hops).

5. Cooling

Cool the wort quickly to prevent contamination and prepare for fermentation.

Place the kettle in an ice bath or use a wort chiller to bring the temperature down to around 20°C.

6. Fermentation

Transfer the cooled wort to the fermenter and add yeast.

Pour the wort into the fermenter and sprinkle the yeast on top.

Seal the fermenter with the airlock and bung.

Store it in a cool, dark place (18-22°C) for about 1-2 weeks until fermentation is complete.

7. Bottling

Once fermentation is complete, it's time to bottle your beer.

Siphon the beer into bottles, leaving behind any sediment.

Add a small amount of sugar to each bottle (about half a teaspoon) to carbonate the beer.

Cap the bottles and store them at room temperature for about 2 weeks.

8. Enjoying Your Brew

After two weeks, chill a bottle, pour it into a glass, and enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Tips for Success

Take Notes: Keep detailed records of your brewing process, ingredients, and observations. This will help you replicate successes and learn from any mistakes.

Experiment: Try different types of malt, hops, and yeast to create unique flavours.

Join a Community: Home-brewing clubs and online forums can offer invaluable advice and support.

Conclusion

Brewing craft beer and ale at home is a fantastic way to explore your creativity and enjoy a delightful beverage tailored to your taste. With the right equipment, ingredients, and a bit of patience, you'll be on your way to becoming a home-brewing expert. Cheers!

As a side note, we have several craft ales working at the moment, including a barley wine style beer which is maturing for Christmas!

Crafting Your Own Delicious Soda at Home: A Guide

Making your own craft soda at home is not only a fun and creative endeavour but also a healthier alternative to store-bought fizzy drinks. 

With a few simple ingredients and some basic equipment, you can concoct a variety of refreshing sodas tailored to your taste. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started on your soda-making adventure.

Ingredients You'll Need

Fruit Juice or Puree: Freshly squeezed fruit juice or puree is the heart of your soda. Popular choices include lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, and ginger.

Water: Filtered water works best for a clean, crisp taste.

Sugar: Granulated sugar, cane sugar, or simple syrup can be used. Adjust the sweetness to your preference. You can ensure that people who have allergies to artificial sweeteners, which are often found in commercially available soda drinks. 

Carbonated Water: You can either buy pre-carbonated water or carbonate your own using a soda syphon or carbonation machine, of which several makes are available including the Sodastream make.

Additional Flavourings: Herbs (such as mint or basil), spices (like cinnamon or ginger), and extracts (such as vanilla or almond) can add a unique twist to your soda.

Equipment

Large Jug or Bowl: For mixing your ingredients.

Spoon or Whisk: For stirring your mixture.

Funnel: To pour your soda into bottles.

Glass Bottles or Jars: For storing your finished soda.

Soda Siphon or Carbonation Machine (Optional): If you prefer to carbonate your own water.

Basic Soda Recipe

Ingredients:

240 ml fruit juice or puree

120 ml simple syrup (made by dissolving 200 grams of sugar in 240 ml of water)

720 ml carbonated water

Ice cubes (optional)

Fresh fruit or herbs for garnish

Method:

Prepare the Simple Syrup:

In a small saucepan, combine 200 grams of sugar and 240 ml of water.

Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is fully dissolved.

Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.

Mix the Base:

In a large jug or bowl, combine the fruit juice or puree with the simple syrup.

Stir well to ensure the mixture is thoroughly combined.

Add the Carbonation:

Slowly add the carbonated water to the fruit mixture. Pouring slowly helps to maintain the carbonation.

Stir gently to mix.

Bottle Your Soda:

Using a funnel, carefully pour your soda into glass bottles or jars.

Seal tightly and refrigerate for at least an hour to chill.

Serve and Enjoy:

Pour your homemade soda over ice cubes if desired.

Garnish with fresh fruit slices or herbs for an extra touch of flair.

Flavour Variations

1. Lemon-Basil Soda:

Replace the fruit juice with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Add a handful of fresh basil leaves to the simple syrup while it’s heating.

Strain out the basil leaves before mixing the syrup with the lemon juice.

2. Ginger-Lime Soda:

Replace the fruit juice with freshly squeezed lime juice.

Add a few slices of fresh ginger to the simple syrup while it’s heating.

Strain out the ginger slices before mixing the syrup with the lime juice.

3. Raspberry-Mint Soda:

Use raspberry puree in place of the fruit juice.

Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the simple syrup while it’s heating.

Strain out the mint leaves before mixing the syrup with the raspberry puree.

Tips for Perfect Soda

Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different combinations of fruits, herbs, and spices. The possibilities are endless.

Adjust Sweetness: Taste your soda mixture before adding the carbonated water. Adjust the sweetness by adding more syrup or water as needed.

Keep It Cold: Homemade soda tastes best when chilled, so always serve it cold.

Crafting your own soda at home is a delightful way to explore new flavours and enjoy a refreshing beverage that's customised to your liking. With a bit of experimentation and creativity, you’ll be sipping on delicious, homemade sodas in no time. Cheers to your new favourite drink!

Crafting Cocktails at Home: A Guide to Mixology Mastery

Welcome to the world of home mixology! Creating craft cocktails at home is not only a delightful hobby but also a fantastic way to impress your friends and family. 

Whether you’re a novice or have some experience, this guide will help you hone your skills and enjoy the art of cocktail making. 

Here’s how you can get started on your journey to becoming a home bartender.

1. Start with the Basics

Before you dive into crafting complex cocktails, it’s essential to familiarise yourself with the basics. Here are some foundational steps:

Essential Tools

Shaker: A Boston shaker or a Cobbler shaker will do. The Boston shaker consists of two tins, while the Cobbler shaker has three parts, including a built-in strainer.

Jigger: A measuring tool to ensure precise quantities. Most jiggers have two sides, typically 25ml and 50ml.

Bar Spoon: For stirring and layering drinks.

Strainer: A Hawthorne strainer for shaking and a fine-mesh strainer for double straining.

Muddler: For crushing ingredients like herbs and fruits.

Basic Ingredients

Spirits: Stock up on the essentials – gin, vodka, rum, tequila, and whisky.

Liqueurs: Triple sec, vermouth, and amaretto are versatile choices.

Mixers: Tonic water, soda water, and cola.

Fresh Ingredients: Lemons, limes, oranges, mint, and seasonal fruits.

2. Master Classic Cocktails

Starting with classic cocktails is a great way to learn the fundamentals. Here are a few recipes to get you started:

Gin and Tonic

Ingredients:

50ml gin

150ml tonic water

Ice cubes

Lime wedge

Method: Fill a highball glass with ice, pour over the gin, top with tonic water, and garnish with a lime wedge.

Whisky Sour

Ingredients:

50ml whisky

25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

12.5ml sugar syrup

Ice cubes

Lemon twist

Method: Shake the whisky, lemon juice, and sugar syrup with ice in a shaker. Strain into a glass filled with ice and garnish with a lemon twist.

Mojito

Ingredients:

50ml white rum

1 lime (cut into wedges)

2 teaspoons sugar

Mint leaves

Soda water

Ice cubes

Method: Muddle the lime wedges and sugar in a glass. Add mint leaves and gently muddle again. Fill the glass with ice, pour over the rum, and top with soda water. Stir and garnish with a mint sprig.

3. Experiment with Flavours

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, start experimenting with different flavours and ingredients. Try infusing your spirits with herbs or spices, or making your own syrups.

Infused Spirits

Example: Infuse gin with cucumber and rosemary for a refreshing twist. Simply add sliced cucumber and a sprig of rosemary to a bottle of gin and let it sit for a few days.

Homemade Syrups

Example: Create a simple syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat. For added flavour, infuse with lavender, ginger, or berries.

4. Perfect Your Presentation

The way a cocktail looks is almost as important as how it tastes. Here are some tips for stunning presentation:

Glassware: Use appropriate glassware for each cocktail. A martini glass for a martini, a coupe for a daiquiri, and so on.

Garnishes: Fresh herbs, citrus peels, edible flowers, and even unique ice cubes can elevate the appearance of your cocktails.

Rim Decoration: For certain cocktails, rimming the glass with sugar or salt adds an extra touch. Use a citrus wedge to moisten the rim and dip it into the desired garnish.

5. Continue Learning and Enjoying

Cocktail making is a vast field with endless possibilities. Continue expanding your knowledge by exploring new recipes, attending workshops, and even visiting local cocktail bars for inspiration. Most importantly, enjoy the process and the delicious results.

By following these steps and embracing your creativity, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of making craft cocktails at home. Cheers to your new mixology journey!

Exploring the World of Craft Beer: Styles and Flavours

Craft beer has undergone a renaissance in recent years, captivating the taste buds of enthusiasts worldwide. 

From the hoppy bitterness of an IPA to the smooth richness of a stout, the world of craft beer offers an extensive array of styles and flavours to explore. Let's embark on a journey through this diverse and fascinating landscape.

The Rise of Craft Beer

Craft beer, unlike mass-produced commercial brews, is typically produced by small, independent breweries. These breweries prioritise quality, innovation, and flavour over mass production. This dedication has led to an explosion of creativity within the craft beer industry, with brewers experimenting with unique ingredients, brewing techniques, and flavour profiles.

Understanding Beer Styles

One of the most intriguing aspects of craft beer is its diversity of styles. Each style offers its own distinctive characteristics, from colour and aroma to taste and mouthfeel. Here are some popular craft beer styles you might encounter:

India Pale Ale (IPA): Renowned for its hop-forward bitterness, IPAs often feature prominent citrus, pine, and floral notes. Variations include American IPA, English IPA, Double IPA (DIPA), and New England IPA (NEIPA).

Stout: Dark, robust, and full-bodied, stouts are characterized by their rich flavours of roasted malt, coffee, chocolate, and sometimes hints of caramel or toffee. Examples include Irish Dry Stout, Imperial Stout, and Milk Stout.

Pale Ale: Pale ales strike a balance between malt sweetness and hop bitterness, with a focus on showcasing the flavours of the hops. They come in various iterations such as American Pale Ale, English Bitter, and Belgian Pale Ale.

Sour Ale: Known for their tartness and acidity, sour ales encompass a broad spectrum of styles, including Berliner Weisse, Gose, Lambic, and Flanders Red Ale. They often feature fruity, funky, or complex flavours derived from wild yeast or bacteria.

Wheat Beer: Brewed with a significant proportion of wheat in addition to barley, wheat beers are typically light-bodied and refreshing, with flavours ranging from citrus and spice to banana and clove. Examples include Hefeweizen, Witbier, and Berliner Weisse.

Exploring Flavours

Craft brewers are constantly pushing the boundaries of flavour, incorporating a diverse range of ingredients to create unique and memorable brews. Whether it's adding fruits, spices, herbs, or even coffee and chocolate, there's no shortage of experimentation in the world of craft beer.

Some breweries specialise in barrel-aged beers, which are aged in wooden barrels previously used for aging spirits such as whiskey, rum, or wine. This process imparts complex flavours and aromas, often with notes of oak, vanilla, and the spirit itself.

Conclusion

The world of craft beer is a vibrant tapestry of styles, flavours, and experiences waiting to be explored. Whether you're a seasoned beer aficionado or just beginning your journey, there's something for everyone to enjoy. So, raise a glass to the creativity and passion of craft brewers everywhere, and embark on a delicious adventure through the world of craft beer. Cheers!

Welcome To Squires Kitchen Bake School, a new publication!

SKMP, publishers of Cakes & Sugarcraft, Wedding Cakes - A Design Source, and Inspired by Food, are launching a new title for budding bakers and cake decorators: Squires Kitchen Bake School.

This title is a unique new concept which presents a whole host of baking inspiration from expert tutors at the esteemed International School, based in Farnham, Surrey as well as other top names in the industry.

With home baking and crafting both enjoying a phenomenal resurgence, this brand new title will help satisfy even the most avid bakers and cake decorators. And with cupcakes still leading the way in the fashion stakes, they take centre stage in the first issue. Features include:

• Classic, contemporary and allergen-free recipes for cupcakes and frostings

• Trade secrets and top tips from some of the best-known tutors, writers and bakers in the industry, including Mark Tilling, Fiona Cairns, Ann Skipp, Peggy Porschen, Eddie Spence MBE, Paddi Clark, Susan Griffiths and Jan Clement-May

• Creative and original ideas for dressing up your cupcakes, including quick and easy solutions for the busy baker

• Year-round ideas for every occasion, including Easter, weddings, summer holidays and Christmas.

If this tantalising peek at what's on offer at Squires Kitchen's International school is tempting you to learn more, information about what's on offer is detailed in the magazine. Whether you're making your first wedding cake or you're looking to discover the secret of making perfect sponges or pastry at home, there is a wide range of courses covering all baking and decorating topics for every skill level.

Out 8th March 2012 onwards!

160 pages, RRP £5.99, ISSN 2049-6001

Available from WHSmith, Sainsbury's, selected newsagents or direct from the publishers at www.squires-shop.com.

SKMP and Squires Kitchen's International Cookery School are part of Squires Kitchen, The Grange, Hones Yard, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8BB Tel: 0845 61 71 810 Email: customer@squires-shop.com Online shop: www.squires-shop.com.

Pure, natural beer indulgence with Daas

Daas is a new range of premium, organic & handmade craft beers, lovingly & traditionally brewed in Belgium and strictly follow the same brewing method dating back over 9 centuries.

Daas produce premium & organic beers that strictly follow the Belgian brewing principles & techniques dating back over 900 years. Brewed in Hainaut the Belgian province renowned for fine beer production and part of the agriculturally rich Walloon Region, Daas offer the consumer three very different craft beers. These supreme beverages are organically and ethically made and deliver a unique taste experience to a dense market.

Daas say “Our beers are top Fermented Bottle Conditioned beers’ meaning they undergo a second fermentation in the bottle, similar to Champagne production. Dass continue; “This contributes to the overall quality and flavour of the beer, but also ensures that the liquid remains stable for longer than a pasteurised beer.”

Due to the refined ingredients and brewing process, Daas is being served at the dinner table instead of the usual bottle of wine. Each of the three beers rewards the palette with something special and pair very well with most dishes.

The range consists of:-

Daas Organic Ambre (6.5% ABV)

Daas Ambre is traditional rich and complex Belgian Ambre ale. The deep fragrant aromas with smooth caramel and sweetly mellow malt flavours finish with dry and delicately spiced hops. Great when hooked up with a traditional roast dinner of lamb, chicken or beef.

Daas Organic Blond (6.5% ABV) Daas Blond is an authentic strong Belgium beer, its honey and spice aroma and perfect balance of bittersweet flavours are followed by a classic dry hope finish. Blond is an ideal aperitif and a worthy pairing to spicy foods such as Indian, Vietnamese and Thai.

Daas Organic Witte (5.0% ABV)

Daas Witte is a naturally cloudy Belgian wheat beer. The fruity aroma and refreshing blend of subtle citrus and spice flavors compliment its crisply dry and bitter hop finish. Goes down well with seasonal seafood and sushi.

The three Daas Craft Beers, Witte, Blond and Ambre RRP £2.49

Daas is the only Belgian craft beer to carry the UK Soil Association Organic certification and the Belgian Certisys Organic certification. They grow their own barley in our farms and use locally sourced hops that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilisers which they believe makes Daas beers ultimately more appetising.

The beers are suitable for vegetarian and vegan drinkers and both Blond and Ambre will soon be gluten free. Daas will continue to develop its links with organic and ethical traders with the aim of eventually becoming a carbon neutral beer; it is delivery by road to the UK that allows Daas to wear the Zero Air Miles badge with pride.

Daas guarantee “Each brew is hand crafted by a solo master brewer with two dedicated assistants and we fully intend to keep it that way.” Craft beer is about creating a flavourful, high-quality beer, which in most cases is very different from the mass-produced beer. Like all artisanal craft breweries their approach towards creativity, exploration and sustainability remains second to non.

Since their recent launch Daas has won numerous awards, supporting that both trade and consumer not only appreciate the taste but also the brands ethical standards and the attention paid when making the beers. Their marketing slogan of “The Pure Indulgence” backs up their use of the finest ingredients and the brand’s conscientious ideals.

Daas finish by saying “For many people it is not a question of drowning a few cold beers as possible, it is more a question of finding the right taste, the right beer for the right occasion.”

Daas is available throughout the UK from specialist, luxury and organic retailers. The beers are also on the shelf at selected stores of Waitrose, Able & Cole and can be purchased online at www.daasbeer.com & www.ocado.com

For enquiries outside the UK visit www.daasbeer.com