How to Make Beer an Illustrated Guide

Learn how to make beer in your home. View these free illustrated and instructional guides and learn how to properly prepare your materials, utensils and equipment to homebrew beer. Check out these free online instructional videos on how to home brew beer.

Beer is one of the world's oldest beverages, possibly dating back to 6000 BC.

The basic ingredients of beer are water, a starch source, such as malted barley, able to be fermented, a brewer's yeast to produce the fermentation, and a flavouring such as hops.

Also a mixture of starch sources may be used, which includes a secondary starch source, such as corn, sugar or rice, especially when used as a lower-cost substitute for malted barley.

Modern beers, including ales, are typically flavored with the flowers of the hop plant. Use of the hop plant to flavor beer began in Europe. The bitter acids in the hops help flavor the beverage and also help extend shelf life. Hops will vary widely in flavor and acid levels depending on the hop variety and environmental conditions.