by Kyle Nagle

Created on: April 28, 2009

The question posted is relatively broad and my intention behind this article is to clarify what circumstances home beer brewing kits are practical for. The actual act of brewing beer at home can be as simple as ordering an ingredient kit online and following the provided instructions. Even first time brewers who have limited experience in kitchens or developing recipes should be able to brew a decent batch of beer. Almost anyone with access to a kitchen can brew beer, but now I would like to examine why one would brew beer.

The first and most obvious answer is that people enjoy the act of brewing beer just as they would cook a meal at home. I believe most people would agree that working hard for something you're passionate about creates sentimental value. Well it may sound odd to some, but I develop this sentimental value with every batch of beer I brew. Whether or not the beer is as high of quality from my favorite brewers such as Dogfish Head and Victory is irrelevant. I find I'm highly satisfied with producing a beer that is somewhat comparable to craft breweries. This is why I brew; this is why I have passion for home brewing.

Putting aside personal satisfaction of creating something I truly enjoy, brewing beer at home is often cost efficient for me. Beer connoisseurs who tend to purchase Indian Pale Ales, Porters, Stouts, and various other complex beer styles can vouch for the price tags attached to a case. Though the prices vary greatly by both brand and type of beer, I often find myself spending upwards of $40 per case. Home brewing, in general, can cut the cost of enjoying these extravagant beers by nearly half. Home brewing is a great way to enjoy well crafted beers while watching your budget.

One final practical use to home brewing I would like to cover is the ability to create your own recipe! This should be the most relevant aspect to brewing beer for true beer fanatics. Through trial and error individuals can craft beer that is not obtainable at a national distributor or their local bar. Brewing a beer from an ingredient kit is a first step for home brewers, but the art of creating your own beer is a truly genuine experience.

Though the question from which this article is derived from is relatively vague, I hope I was able to portray some practical uses for home brewing. Individuals who have a strong appreciation for beer and the act of creating it should absolutely consider brewing their own beer. For those beer enthusiasts who consider Coors and Budweiser credible breweries, I would advise finding another hobby other than home brewing. That is of course, unless you can find brewing kits that create a water-like tasting beer.

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