Why You Should Brew 

Homebrewing is a challenging and rewarding hobby

Few things are as rewarding as a hobby. A hobby can fill idle time with pleasant activity. It can take our minds off the daily rat race while we focus on something that we enjoy doing. When a hobby results in a product that we can enjoy later and share with friends, it is particularly fulfilling. Brewing beer at home is just such a hobby.

In October of 1978, President Carter signed into law a bill making it legal to make beer and wine in the home. Since that time, the number of Americans who enjoy homebrewing has grown to nearly one and a half million. Homebrewing has become a very well established hobby. According to the Association of Brewers, there are now approximately 1,500 retail outlets selling equipment and ingredients for homebrewing and more than 700 local homebrew clubs serving homebrewers in the United States.

People brew beer at home for a number of reasons that reflect as much upon the process of brewing as on the beer itself. Some people enjoy the ability to control the flavor and quality of the beer. For others, the satisfaction of brewing a beer that tastes like a good imported beer is most important. For most, the enjoyment of sharing home made beer with friends and family is important. Nothing stirs the soul like applause, and good beer finds an appreciative audience

Brewing beer at home is easier than you may imagine. It requires only a modest outlay of those hard-earned dollars for equipment and materials and around an hour and a half of your time. When you enjoy a cold glass of beer that you made yourself, you will discover that the reward is well worth the effort.

If you wish to try brewing your own beer, a number of useful resources are available:

(don't forget to check out the Bookshelf on this site)