How many of your husbands drink beer? Well mine does and since he's Mexican beer is more like soda to him, not that he's a drunk or anything but his view of beer is different. So I thought we would try something different and attempt to home brew. After doing some research, I found Monster Brew who agreed to work with me. So now we are brewing some beer.
Monster Brew sent us their Gold Homebrew with 6 Gallon Glass Carboy Kit to test out. Let me tell if you all thought I was nervous about making the soda, I was terrified with this. There is a lot of equipment in this kit. I found, however that if you just read the instructions and take it step by step it doesn't seem as overwhelming as it looks. Getting ready to brew is easy, Monster Brew sent a great little book called The True Brew Handbook, which is a beginner's guide to brewing. It is full of tips and conversion tables. All the information you would need.
So we set up the kit and went through the steps. Steps 1 and 2 were fairly basic, things like putting the thermometer on the carboy, attaching the spigot. Step 3 is simple but ended up tickling us. You are told to try out the lid on the bucket. Make sure it goes on and off easily but gives a secure fit. We it went on and then I was determined to get it back off alone. I broke the camera trying to get that thing off. and take pictures at the same time Don't worry, there are instructions for fixing that and once we got it off and the bits of camera cleaned up it was smooth sailing.
Once you go through the five steps in the Gold kit you are ready to begin brewing. Monster Brew sent us a True Brew Amber Ale Ingredient Kit. This kit has all the ingredients you need to brew your beer. Which is good because honestly I don't think I would have been able to manage if I had to figure out what hops really was. yes I know it's a grain, but I wouldn't even begin to know where you buy that at. There are four steps to brewing. It takes 48-72 hours for the fermentation to be complete then you can bottle it up (bottles are no included. You need fifty brown colored long neck bottles without screw tops.) We did our brewing on Sunday night and now have it bottled. It will take a week for it to condition and another 3 weeks to aged.
All in all I was very pleased with the entire process. I will let you know how the beer tastes once it has aged properly. I will also get a new camera and provide some pictures. Monster Brew is one of those companies that provides something a little different so trust when I say if you are looking for a gift for dad.......this is it or even better get one now and have some home made beer on the 4th of July. My best advice would be that when you order your brewing kit order your ingredient kit from Monster Brew as well.
{PROS} fun, easy,super helpful staff, lots of choices including wine kits!
{CONS} When you get your kit and see everything it can be overwhelming. DON'T panic. Just take it one step at a time.
{SHOP} Shop Monster Brew
{WIN} Monster Brew is giving 1 lucky reader a $25 gift certificate of their own. Enter below to win.
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