Is Homebrewing safe?

Thinking about brewing your own beer at home? Sounds awesome, right? It really is!

But when you start thinking about it, you might wonder -

• Is it safe?

• What if my batch doesn't turn out right? Could it cause any serious health issues?

I had the same questions when I first started brewing.

The simple answer is - Homebrewing is safe !

(Just a heads up, home distilling is a different story, but we'll touch on that later)

So, let's dive into some details.

What Exactly is Brewing?

Brewing has a long history, with wine production dating back to 6000BC, and mead being enjoyed by Greeks and Vikings around 1500BC.

The process of brewing involves the conversion of a mixture of water and sugars or carbohydrates into alcohol and carbon dioxide through the process of fermentation, facilitated by the addition of yeast.

During fermentation, yeast metabolizes the sugars or carbohydrates, producing alcohol. Different beverages utilize various sources of sugars.

• Wine is made from grapes

• Mead is crafted from honey

• Beer is brewed using cereals such as barley

The alcohol content of a beverage post-fermentation is directly proportional to its sugar content, typically resulting in an alcohol by volume (ABV) range of 4% to 20%.

Alcohol serves as an effective sanitizer, eliminating harmful microorganisms, making the brewing process inherently safe.

While the worst-case scenario may be an unpleasant taste, the likelihood of serious health repercussions is minimal.

Does that mean, making any alcoholic drink at home is same?

NO!

Fermentation vs Distillation

The process of fermentation involves the conversion of sugars into alcohol, while distillation enhances this process by creating beverages with higher alcohol by volume (ABV) from already fermented solutions.

For example, whiskey is produced by distilling beer wort, and brandy is made by distilling wine.

Distillation operates on the principle that alcohol evaporates before water when heated. This vapour is then collected and transformed back into a liquid, resulting in an increased alcohol content in the final product.

Although fermentation primarily yields ethanol, it also produces small amounts of methanol, which can be harmful in excessive quantities.

The whole process of distillation aims at creating a beverage with high alcohol content. If special care is not taken to treat these byproducts like Methanol, the distilled beverage can be harmful. Given these dangers, the practice of home distillation is prohibited in many regions, unlike home brewing by fermentation.

Conclusion

It is essential to recognize the distinctions between fermentation and distillation. While distillation presents risks and legal implications, fermentation remains a safe method for home brewing. Remember to prioritize basic hygiene practices:

1. Thoroughly sanitize all equipment in contact with your brew

2. Minimize the use of chemical additives

3. Select high-quality ingredients

4. Prefer glass containers over plastic for heating and storing beverages

Just adhere to these basic standards and start your brewing journey. You'll have a beautiful cold brew in your hands in no time!

Cheers!