There is an unavoidable element of light mockery that surrounds the practice of home brewing beer. There will always be the same jokes – that you are so fond of a drink you decided that you couldn’t deal with the trip to the bar, for example. Or that you wanted to drive the price of beer so low that you could be permanently drunk without it costing you so much. Once you get over the impression that this is about being cheap and reinforce the fact that it is more of a hobby, though, there is a lot to recommend home brewing.

Getting off to a good start is important – you should not begin to brew beer at home until you have researched the process a little. What equipment will you need, how much can you make at a time, and how do you get the type of beer that you like? There is little point at all in setting up to brew a dark stout if you prefer lager – and many home brewers find that their early efforts tend towards the darker side of the spectrum.

Research how you should go about brewing the beer you like and what you will need in order to make it. There are plenty of places online where you can find great information – including communities dedicated to home brewing which will be full of people who can give you helpful tips and hints, and will be pleased to share some details of their own innovations. You also need to set aside the space for your equipment. If you are making an alcoholic drink, it should at all times be out of the reach of children.