For anyone who enjoys beer or ale, setting up a home brewery can be both satisfying and economical. Satisfying, because you will be able to develop a beverage that suits your particular taste buds, and economical because, after a small initial investment in your home brewery kit, your concoctions will cost less to make than you would typically spend on buying your favorite brew at the store or bar.

Basically, you need four ingredients to make beer; water, malt, hops and yeast. As one becomes more expert, other ingredients are often added. The growth in the number of people who are brewing beers or ale with their own brewery kits has naturally resulted in many brewers' supply stores sprouting up around the country. Also, a healthy number of websites dedicated to the art of home brewing has also appeared, making the purchase of the ingredients and hardware for your kit an easy task.

You can get a home brewery starter kit for less than $50. The kit will include everything you need to make your first batch of brew and should yield about two gallons. As you develop your talent you can adjust the recipes in the kit, using different malts or hops. You may also develop try special brewing techniques to help you reach the perfect flavor.

If the starter kit works well for you and you enjoy the brewing experience, you can always upgrade your home brewery with higher quality hardware. Some more advanced home brewery kits include:

1. Cooper's Brewery Micro-Brew Beer Kit - $119.99
2. Gold Complete Beer Equipment Kit - $81.99
3. New Brewers Complete Homebrew Beer - $122.45
4. Mr. Beer Brewmaster Select Beer Kit - $74.99
5. Cuisinart SS700 Single Serve Brewery System - $199.00

Equipment and supplies can range from a refractometer for measuring sugar, a wire-coil cooler and even a hat to wear while working in your home brewery.

If home brewing becomes a hobby that rewards you more than simply being a constructive pastime, you should be aware that many state and county fairs conduct home brew competitions and that some commercial beer makers sponsor beer tastings. If you feel that you have reached a level of home brewing that stands out in taste, you can participate in one or more of these events to see how your brew measures up.

Although there is plenty of advice out there to help you design a brew that you'll be proud to share with your friends and family, ultimately it is you who must be satisfied with the final product of your home brewery.

So brew up a storm and cheers to you!

Copyright (c) 2011 Sandra Tiffany