How to Brew Beer at Home (Step-by-Step)
Use a simple extract recipe for your first batch. Follow the steps and you’ll pour a drinkable beer in a few weeks.
Before You Begin
Gear
Kettle (5–8 gal), fermenter (6–6.5 gal) + airlock, thermometer, sanitizer, autosiphon + tubing, bottling bucket + wand, capper + caps, bottles.
Ingredients (Example)
6.6 lb light malt extract, 2 oz Cascade hops, clean ale yeast (US-05), 4.5 oz corn sugar for bottling, water to 5.0 gal.
Step-by-Step Brewing
- Clean & sanitize. Wash gear, then sanitize anything that will touch cooled wort/beer (fermenter, airlock, siphon, tubing, spoon).
- Heat water. Add ~3.0 gal (11.4 L) to the kettle. Bring near a boil. Kill heat and fully dissolve the malt extract (prevents scorching).
- Start the boil (60 min). Return to a rolling boil and begin a 60-minute timer. Watch for foam in the first few minutes.
- Add hops. 0 min: 1.0 oz Cascade (bittering). 50 min: 0.5 oz (flavor). 58 min: 0.5 oz (aroma).
- Chill quickly. End boil at 60 min. Cool to ≤75°F / 24°C using an ice bath or chiller.
- Transfer & top up. Pour into sanitized fermenter and top up with cool water to exactly 5.0 gal. Stir gently to mix.
- Aerate & pitch yeast. Shake/splash for 60–90 sec. Sprinkle dry yeast (or rehydrate per packet). Seal with airlock.
- Ferment steady. Place somewhere dark at 65–70°F / 18–21°C. First 48 hrs may be vigorous—use a blow-off tube if needed.
- Wait ~10–12 days. When bubbling slows and gravity is stable (if measured), you’re ready to package.
- Bottle & prime. Dissolve 4.5 oz dextrose in 16 oz water; cool; add to bottling bucket. Siphon beer gently, fill bottles, cap.
- Condition & enjoy. Store bottles warm (65–70°F) for ~2 weeks. Chill 24 hrs, then pour gently into a glass.
Sanitation Rule: Once the wort is cool, treat everything like it’s touching food. Clean first, then sanitize, and avoid touching inside surfaces.
Free Download: Home Brewer’s Quickstart Guide (PDF)
Get a printable brew-day checklist, the exact hop timing, and bottling steps—so your first batch is smooth.
Troubleshooting Quick Fixes
No bubbling on Day 1? Check lid/airlock seal; give it 24 more hours. Sulfur smell? Often normal early—fades with time. Flat beer? Warm bottles to ~70°F and wait another week.