How to Make Organic Beer

By Charlie Reese

Going Organic When Making Beer At Home

Organic foods are extremely popular, especially as a result of the recent health craze. Many people feel that organic foods are much healthier for you than regular foods, because they eliminate the possibility of accidentally consuming pesticides and chemicals which can be harmful to the body. Farmers have managed to grow organic produce, and in grocery stores you will find organic bread, meat, and rice. Another organic product that is growing in popularity is organic beer and wine. You can buy organic beer from the store, or you can make organic beer at home. Whatever you choose, your result will be one that is healthier than the original!

A Similar Process

The processes involved in making organic beer at home are similar to making other beers at home. The first step is to boil the water, hops, and malt for a fairly long period of time. Then the mixture, which is called wort, is poured into a fermenter and given time to cool. Next, the yeast is added to the mixture, and the fermenter is sealed so that it is air tight. The yeast consumes all sugar contained in the mixture, and after about 10 days the yeast will fall to the bottom of the fermenter. Lastly, the beer is bottled and allowed to sit for a few weeks so that it becomes mature.

Ingredients Are Important

If the process for making organic beer at home is the same as making any other type of beer, then you might be wondering where the differences come in. It's all in the ingredients! In order for a beer to be considered organic, it must be made with ingredients that meet with the standards set by the USDA. Right now, these standards state that in order to be considered organic, only 5% of a beer's ingredients can be non-organic, and they must fall on a list of approved non-organic ingredients. Usually, this means that the ingredients needed for making organic beer at home will be more expensive than they would be if you were not making organic beer.

One of the main ingredients that must be organic when you are making organic beer at home is the grain. This ingredient makes up a majority of beer, so it is important that it is organic. However, other ingredients, like the hops, are very difficult to find organically grown. Most of the time, the organic version has to be imported from another country. Luckily for organic beer makers, hops is currently on the list of approved non-organic ingredients.

Drink To Your Health!

Despite the extra expense, making your own organic beer at home will be well worth your while. For a taste that is similar to the original and a health value you won't find elsewhere, brew organic beer in your own home.

About the Author:

Charlie Reese likes drinking beer and he knows a lot about beer making in many regards. Charlie likes educating others as well.