Editing Homebrewing (section)

== Homebrewing kits ==
[[File:Homebrew Kits.jpg|thumb|left|1.7/1.8&nbsp;kg Homebrewing kits]]

Homebrewing kits come in many different types and from many different manufacturers. A local homebrew store may create some of their own kits by packaging materials together. Most kits come with a full set of instructions for brewing. These instructions, sometimes called recipes, may vary widely in the amount of instruction given. For instance, many all-grain kits assume a familiarity with the brewing process and so may give fewer specific instructions on the general process. Many advanced brewers prefer to design and perfect their own recipes rather than buy kits. Kits may or may not include yeast.

===All-grain===
For brewers with equipment and advanced knowledge about the brewing process, all-grain kits include all the ingredients necessary to create homebrew beer. Most kits include grain and hops, some kits may also include yeast that pairs well with the style of beer. A full set of instructions is generally included. What sets these kits apart from others is the inclusion of malted grain which must first undergo a [[Mashing|mash]] to extract the sugars. This combination of liquid and sugars is known as wort (pronounced "wert") and is necessary for fermentation. A full boil of the wort is then required, with one or more hop additions at different times depending on style.<ref>{{cite web |last=Palmer|first=John|title=How to Brew|url=http://www.howtobrew.com/section3/index.html|access-date=7 September 2011}}</ref> A typical brew session using all-grain takes between 4 and 6 hours, not including fermentation.

===Malt extract===
Some kits contain a concentrated malt extract rather than grain. Malt extract can be either dry or in a [[syrup]] form, both used to produce [[fermented syrup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://brewconductor.com/brewing/extract-brewing/your-first-beer-extract-brewing/ |title=Extract Brewing |access-date=18 June 2016}}</ref> A few advanced kits may also come with a small amount of milled, malted grain that must be steeped with the wort before boiling. A grain bag is usually included to facilitate this process. These additional grains help add different character to the beer so that a single extract can be used to brew several varieties of beer. A full boil is required, with hop additions at different times depending on style.<ref>{{cite web |last=Palmer|first=John|title=How to Brew|url=http://www.howtobrew.com/section1/index.html|access-date=7 September 2011}}</ref> A typical brew session using extract typically takes 2 hours, not including fermentation.

===Pre-hopped malt extract===
Sometimes known as beer in a can, no-boil, and hopped wort, these beer kits contain liquid malt extract that has already been boiled with hops to introduce bitterness and flavor. Pre-hopped kits simplify the brewing process by removing the need to add hops at specific times during the boil. Some kits may not require a boil at all, but that may increase the risk of off flavors in the resulting beer from contamination from bacteria and wild yeasts. While some feel the quality of beer from these kits can be on par with commercial beer or homebrew made from other methods,<ref name=Zai>{{cite book |last=Zainasheff|first=Jamil|title=Brewing classic styles: 80 winning recipes anyone can brew|year=2007|publisher=Brewers Publications|location=Boulder, Colo.|isbn=978-0-937381-92-2|author2=Palmer, John J.}}</ref><ref name=palm>{{cite book |last=Palmer|first=John J.|title=How to brew: ingredients, methods, recipes, and equipment for brewing beer at home|year=2001|publisher=Defenestrative Pub. Co.|location=Monrovia, CA|isbn=0-9710579-0-7|edition=2nd}}</ref> others feel that pre-hopped extract provides hop bitterness with little flavor and bouquet.<ref name="ReferenceA" /> A typical brew session using pre-hopped ingredients may take less than an hour, not including fermentation.

===Brew in a bag===
Brew in a bag (BIAB) is a simplified all-grain technique developed in Australia.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=It's In the Bag |url=https://byo.com/article/biab/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Brew Your Own |language=en-US}}</ref> The main pioneer and continuing authority on this method is Patrick Hollingdale.<ref name=":1" /> The hallmarks of BIAB are a single brewing vessel, a fine mesh bag to hold the grist (crushed malt/grain) and a single heat source. The bag, usually made of nylon or fashioned out of a [[voile]] material lines the brewing pot which contains the total volume of water needed for the entire brewing process. The water is then heated to strike temperature and then the grist is added. The traditional brewing technique of sparging (rinsing the grains) is skipped and after the mashing period is complete (typically 60–90 minutes)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://howtobrew.com/book/section-3/how-the-mash-works/the-starch-conversion-saccharification-rest|title=The Starch Conversion/Saccharification Rest - How to Brew|website=howtobrew.com|access-date=7 October 2016}}</ref> the grain bag holding the spent grains is removed (lautering) and the bag is compressed to drain the wort from the grain ball. The all-grain brewing process then proceeds as normal: boiling, cooling, pitching and fermenting. Traditional mashing methods require three vessels and at least two heat sources. Brew in a bag has revolutionised home all-grain brewing as batch sizes of {{convert|9|to|45.5|L|usgal}} of wort into the fermenter are easily employed without any compromising on quality or versatility. A typical brew session using BIAB is typically 3 hours, not including fermentation.

===Ingredients outside the kits===
====Water====
Cold water is preferred for the yeast for its high oxygen content.

====Sucrose====
Some homebrewing kits usually instruct that a tablespoon of [[sucrose]] should be added per bottle.