The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homebrewers Make

Good morning. The European adventure is over and we are back in the United States. The best way to come back from vacation is to a fully fermented keg of homebrew, ready to be carbonated. Better yet, this particular beer may have been the best I’ve ever brewed, which means it will be tapped all too quickly.

-Brandon Copeland

The 5 Most Common Mistakes Homebrewers Make

There are simple ways to avoid brewing a beer with off flavors, and sometimes it’s necessary to get back to basics, even for experienced homebrewers. It’s tempting to cut corners on long brew days, but these 5 tips will help you avoid a spoiled batch.

1. Skipping Sanitation

Cleanliness is critical. Contamination from bacteria or wild yeast can ruin a batch. Make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize all equipment that comes into contact with your beer, from fermenters to spoons. Don’t rush this step; it’s essential. Even though it’s the least fun part about homebrewing, it’s likely the most critical.

2. Poor Temperature Control

Yeast thrives within a specific temperature range, and fermenting outside of this can lead to off-flavors. During fermentation, pay close attention to the recommended temperature for your yeast strain. If possible, use a temperature-controlled fridge or fermentation chamber to maintain consistency, like a KOMOS kegerator.

3. Inaccurate Measurements

Brewing is part science, part art. Precise measurements of ingredients like hops, malt, and water make a big difference. Invest in a good digital scale and use it to measure everything accurately. This also applies to water volume, as too much or too little water can throw off your recipe.

4. Rushing the Process

Patience is key in brewing. Cutting corners or rushing any part of the process, especially fermentation, can lead to poor results. Give your beer time to ferment fully and condition. A few extra days (or weeks) can improve the final product significantly. Also, resist the temptation of cracking it open every couple days to take a hydrometer reading (we’ve all been there).

5. Not Taking Notes

Documenting your process allows you to learn from mistakes and replicate successes. Keep track of every step, including the recipe, temperatures, times, and any issues encountered. This practice will make troubleshooting easier and help you refine your brews over time. If you’re looking for a digital way of tracking your recipes and brew sessions, Brewgr is a great solution.

Avoiding these common mistakes can dramatically improve the quality of your homebrew. With careful attention to detail and patience, you’ll be well on your way to creating consistently great beers.

Sponsored By 1440 Media

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

• We scour 100+ sources daily

• Read by CEOs, scientists, business owners and more

• 3.5 million subscribers

Sign up today!

Beer Trivia Question

🍺 What ingredient do you add to beer that acts as a natural preservative?

Read to the end to find out if you're right!

Brewgr Recipe of the Week

Bourdon

We are not yet at the perfect season for an Irish Stout (although I’d argue any season is a great time for an Irish Stout) however it is the perfect time for an Irish Red Ale. This would be a great recipe to start with to explore this style - I would likely bump the boil time to 60 and put the hops in a little earlier, but otherwise solid foundation for a great beer.

Credit: Ytubier

Poll Results: Have You Ever Traveled to Germany?

The majority of our homebrewing crowd who took the survey have visited the beer mecca of Germany at one point of another, which isn’t altogether surprising. So many styles that we love are from Germany, and while you can get many famous beers in bottles in the US, it’s nothing like enjoying the beer at the source.

And the Answer Is...

🍺 Hops of course! While hops play pivotal roles in the flavor and aroma of beer, they also preserve beer due to their antibacterial properties. This is how the India Pale Ale was originally born - more hops were added to the beer on long journeys from England to India to help preserve the beer for the fully journey.