As we enter the new year, exploring a new hobby is one of the best ways to beat the January blues. Finding a low-maintenance pastime that fits into your routine can be challenging, especially if you like to be out and about or have a busy schedule.
If you’re a craft beer lover, home brewing is one of the easiest hobbies to fit into your daily life. Slow and steady truly wins the race, with the time from your first brewing day to tasting the final result usually taking at least a month. Of that, only six to ten hours of brewing require your full attention. The rest are spent patiently watching and waiting.
One of the most rewarding parts of brewing is that you can share the finished product with friends and family. Handmade beer makes for an original birthday or Christmas gift . It’s a great conversation starter too, especially if you’re hoping to meet new people in your retirement community. Who knows? You may even find fellow en-brew-siasts to chat about malt, hops and mouthfeel with.
What do you need to start beer brewing from home?
You’ll need to invest in some equipment to get your first batch of beer off the ground, including:
- Brewing kettle
- Fermenter and air lock
- Funnel (optional)
- Sanitizer
- Auto-siphon
- Stir spoon
- Beer recipe kit (or individual ingredients)
If you want to make things as simple as possible, you can buy a pre-assembled home starter kit from brewing specialists like Northern Brewer, Love Brewing or the Home Brew Shop.
Considerations when choosing a beer-making kit
- How much money you want to spend
The price of home brew kits can vary depending on how much beer you want to make, the method of brewing and the ingredients you want to use. It’s important to consider how much you’re willing to spend. Simple setups can start just under £30, while more premium kits can be in the hundreds. If you’re not sure, we recommend trialling one of the less expensive ones to see if you enjoy the process and building up to the premium kits when you feel comfortable.
- The time commitment
Once you’ve got your home brewery up and running, it’s pretty low maintenance. However, you'll need to invest some time into overseeing the process, bottling your product when it’s ready and the first brew day, which takes between two and a half and eight hours, depending on the brewing method you use.
- Length of beer fermentation
While some home brews can be fermented in as little as a week, it’s common for the fermentation process to take two to three weeks. Longer fermentation allows the flavours to mature, but ultimately, it’s up to you to decide when your beer is ready for the next stage.
- Available space in your retirement property
Home brewing a batch of beer typically takes between three to four weeks from start to finish, so you’ll need to make sure you have a spot in your home where the brewing equipment can sit undisturbed.
Why make home brewing your next hobby in retirement?
It’s not just any old beer, it’s your beer
Everything from the ingredients you choose to the brewing method and length of fermentation comes together to create your unique beer. You know you’re serving something you can’t order down at the pub.
Brewing at home is low-maintenance and flexible
Bar your initial brew day, the process of beer brewing is mostly watch, wait and bottle the goods. If you’re looking for a hobby that fits around your schedule rather than dominates it, this could be the one for you.
Less additives, more of the good stuff
You control every ingredient that goes into your beer, so that means more flavour and less of the additives and preservatives that go into some of your store-bought alternatives. Health studies have also shown that, due to the higher yeast percentage and reduced processing, homebrew and craft beers tend to contain higher levels of important vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B, vitamin D and magnesium.
Make savings on your drinks shop
Often, you buy your startup kit by the number of pints or gallons of beer it produces. A small kit typically produces 10-12 bottles of beer, so it’s an ideal size for beginners. Once you’re up and running, the average cost of beer per serving is under £1, which is much cheaper than what you’ll get over the counter.
Connect with other beer lovers in your Churchill community
Head to any British pub on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll see one thing clear as day: good beer brings people together. Talking about flavours, preferences and brewing processes could be how you meet new people in your life. Plus, sharing a pint carries a whole new meaning when you know it's been prepared by a friend from start to finish.
Explore retirement activities you can enjoy from your Churchill Living apartment
Every Churchill Living retirement village has an Owner’s Lounge, where you can enjoy socialising and resident events all year round. Each retirement property is also a totally private space with an independent front door, so you can have people over or come and go as you please.
Wondering whether retirement living with us could be for you? Explore our FAQ page or get in touch with the Churchill team today.