I've taken up homebrewing (making my own beer) as a hobby.
Since the start of the year, I've brewed three batches of beer. The first batch
was a Scotch Ale (medium-bodied). The second batch was an Extra Special Bitter
or E.S.B. (heavy on the hops). The third batch is a Pale
Ale (my favorite kind of beer to drink). Each batch was 5 gallons, which makes
about forty pint-sized bottles (20oz., as compared to a "typical"
bottle of beer, which is 12oz.).
Here's a few photos from the process so far:
Sludge at the bottom of the secondary fermenter (glass "carboy"):
this sludge consists mostly of dead yeast cells, after they have nobly given
their lives in the pursuit of making beer. A similar layer of sediment is
found at the bottom of each bottle, but it's much less: only 1mm or so in
thickness.
A video of the fermentation process, as observed from outside.
Bubbles of carbon dioxide gas are produced as the yeast do their good work
inside the fermenter. Sugar is converted to alcohol, and in the process,
CO2 is produced as a waste product. A happy sight
for the homebrewer.
I only have one clear glass bottle, so I took a photo of it
to show what the Pale Ale looks like in color. Gorgeous, eh?
A closet full of beer. E.S.B. (back
row) and Pale Ale (everything else) await willing beer drinkers.
A pint of E.S.B. showing beautiful
color and a decent head.
