Home Brewery, Equipment, and Kettle
"From man's sweat and God's love, beer came into the world"
--Saint Arnold of Metz, Patron Saint of Brewers
For thousands of years, beer has been a part of the human experience, having permeated nearly every culture on the planet, past and present. It has been both praised and vilified for its intoxicating effects and is arguably the most popular beverage ever devised. And while the majority of the world's beer drinkers satiate their thirst by simply picking up a case at the store or visiting a local pub, for the true connoisseur, a home brewery is the only way to go.
At AeroBrewing.com, we love beer, and we love making it at home. Small-scale brewing systems have seen a dramatic rise in popularity over the last decade or so, as more and more people find that making their own beer can be a very rewarding experience. We have therefore created our website with the needs of the novice brewmeister in mind. It has been designed to be used as an informational resource for anyone that wants to try their hand at brewing but do not know where to start. The information we provide is intentionally non-biased, and we do not recommend or endorse any one manufacturer, retailer, or product.
The history of beer goes back nearly 7000 years, if not further. Evidence from locations throughout the Middle East suggests that the ancient Mesopotamians were brewing beer around 5000 B.C., and similarly, other ancient cultures such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome were all well known as beer enthusiasts. Most of the beer produced during these early periods of human history, and really, up to the Middle Ages, the vast majority of beer was created via a home brewery. Mass-produced beer first came into being thanks to Christian monasteries throughout Europe, but even then, most beer was still made at home.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, macro-brewed beer became the norm in most countries around the world. Large-scale breweries were able to produce a product that was not only tasty, but inexpensive as well. However, over the last twenty or so years, home brewing systems have started to become a popular alternative to these macro brews. Home brewing equipment can be purchased for very little money, and with a little bit of practice, one can create custom beer recipes that are as good, if not better, than what one could get at a store or pub.
Home brewing systems can be purchased locally in most major cities throughout the country. Local brewing supply outlets are preferred because they are not only a good source of materials and equipment, but they are also an excellent source of information for the novice brewer. Many of these stores are staffed with employees who are home brewing enthusiasts, and these employees can often help to answer any questions you might have when getting started. However, if you do not have access to a local brewing supply house, there are a host of online suppliers that can help you find what you need.