Brewing Instructions: Start Here
Welcome to the Brewing Instructions section of Monkey’s Brewing — the place where beginners, hobbyists, experimenters, and confused dogs gather to learn how to make great beer at home.
How It All Started
When I first decided I wanted to become a homebrewer, my wife reached out to Curt — a very accomplished homebrewer and the kind of guy who has forgotten more about brewing than most of us will ever learn. (You’ll hear a lot more about him later.)
He helped her choose a rock-solid beginner-friendly kit, the same one I still recommend today. I unwrapped it that Christmas, and before New Year’s I was brewing my first batch.
Terror, Excitement, and Foam Samplers
To be honest, I was terrified. I was convinced I was going to mess it up. Monkey, my original brew dog, wasn’t sure why I was heating up perfectly good water or why he couldn’t have the specialty grains — but I’m pretty sure he’d say the foam samples were worth the wait.
If you’re brand new to brewing, don’t worry. Everyone starts somewhere, and most of us started with too little equipment, too much ambition, and at least one question we were afraid to Google. You’re in good company.
The Brew Dog Legacy
Monkey supervised my earliest batches with a mixture of curiosity and disappointment. Freyja, my current brew assistant, contributes even less — but both have been here for every win, every failure, and every questionable experimental beer I’ve ever created.
Their supervision is… inconsistent. But it keeps the process fun.
What You’ll Find in This Section
This section is where I break brewing down into simple, clear, step-by-step guides that anyone can follow.
Over time, this category will include:
- Brewing basics for first-time brewers
- Step-by-step brew day walkthroughs
- Equipment recommendations
- Fermentation guides
- Troubleshooting tips
- And the techniques I wish I’d learned sooner
If you’ve ever wanted to make your own beer but weren’t sure where to start, you’re in exactly the right place.
Recommended Beginner Kit
If you want to know the exact kit I started with — the same one Curt recommended — I’ve added a link at the bottom of this post. It’s not sponsored, just solid. If you’re new and want something dependable, it’s a great place to begin.
(Add your kit link here when you’re ready.)
Ready to Brew?
Now that you’re here, feel free to explore the rest of the site:
- Brewing Instructions
- Equipment Reviews
- Beer Reviews
- Recipes
And of course, Monkey and Freyja insist that all homebrewing sessions begin with snacks.
🍺 Cheers, and welcome to the journey.
— Monkey’s Brewing