Homebrewing Ingredients

Yeast

There are basically two types of yeast: Ale yeast and Lager yeast. Both yeasts add distinct characteristics to beer and have separate guidelines for usage. Yeasts are cultured commercially and are widely available in many different styles which all change the end product of the beer.

Ale yeast is considered to be a top-fermenting yeast, which ferments from the top down and can be used in warmer temperatures. Ale yeast forms a foamy head while it ferments. Ale yeast is definitely the easiest to deal with when considering the temperatures at which you will be able to sustain in your brewing facility. Normal temperatures for fermenting with ale yeast are typically around 55 to 70 degrees F.

Lager yeast is bottom-fermenting and needs to be fermented in cooler temperatures no higher than around 40 to 50 degrees F. With lager yeast, there is no foamy head during fermentation; in fact, it all sinks to the bottom of the fermenter. The only real exception to the temperature rule for brewing with lager yeasts would be when brewing California Steam beer which can be done at ale temperatures.

Yeast will come in a couple different forms which are either dry yeast or liquid form. For many liquid yeasts, there are “smack-packs” which contain the yeast and an activator to get the yeast going once broken inside the package.

Indredients you will need for your home brew and more:

The home brewing process for beer consists of a small amount of basic ingredients. The ingredients consist of:

Malt

Hops

Yeast

Water

Sugars

Other Adjuncts

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