Wine and beer have been made in the home since time immemorial. A number of shops sell very adequate beer making kits and equipment. Once the initial outlay has been made it is only necessary to purchase the ingredients for any subsequent batches as the equipment can be used over and over. Herbal beer is a term applied to beers made with herbs other than hops. Almost any fruit and herb can be used for wine and beer brewing. After the initial investment in equipment the cost of making beer especially from herbs is very small.

Equipment

You need: 5 liter plastic fermenting vessel with a lid, a strainer, fine cheese cloth, wooden spoons, a large bucket, beer bottles and stoppers. Equipment must be always clean and if possible sterilized.

Nettle Beer

With gloves and a pair of scissors gather the top three pairs of leaves from young green stinging nettles. Just about to fill the brewing bucket but do not press the shoots down. This will make about 4 1/4 liters.

Nettles

Crystal malt, crashed 125g

Malt extract 1kg

Sugar 250g

1 handful of dried hops

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Salt

Ale yeast 1/4 tsp or follow the manufacturer’s instructions

Simmer washed nettles and malt crystal in a large pan for about 45 minutes. Place sugar, lemon juice, salt and malt extract into the fermenting vessel and strain into, (using the strainer covered with cheese cloth), the nettle and crystal mixture. Squeeze nettle well so you gain the full flavor. Stir everything thoroughly. Add in some water to make about 4 1/4 liters but no more. When cool at about 20C stir in yeast according to instructions cover the vessel and maintain this temperature.

Allow to ferment between five and seven days and if it is necessary remove any yeast from the top. When fermentation has finished (liquid is clear and bubbles stop to rise) siphon the beer in to a clean container. Dissolve 50g of sugar in a little hot water and add to beer. Siphon into clean sterilized beer bottles and stopper well. Store in a warm room for two days then transfer into a cool place and store for at least a month before drinking

Herbal Beer

everythyng herbal at herb-garden world

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