MY BREWING LIFE

Brewing at The Addison Arms: My Journey into Home Brewing

July 17, 2023

Like many people during the COVID lockdown, I found myself with extra time on my hands and a need for a new hobby—something I could do from home, that would offer both a creative outlet and a sense of accomplishment. Little did I know that my casual interest in craft beer would evolve into a full-blown passion for homebrewing.

Fast forward a few years, and I’m still brewing, but what started as a way to pass the time has turned into a scientific experiment that I’ve come to love. These days, it’s the science behind the brew that really fascinates me. Sure, the end product is enjoyable, but for me, the real magic happens in the details—the careful balance of ingredients, the perfect fermentation conditions, and the satisfaction of tweaking recipes to see what works best.

The Setup: Welcome to "The Addison Arms"

My garage, affectionately dubbed "The Addison Arms," is where all the magic happens. It’s not just any garage; it’s my own personal brewery, complete with a Braumeister 20L all-in-one brewing system. This little piece of kit has become the heart of my brewing operation. The Braumeister makes it easy to control every aspect of the brewing process, from mashing to boiling, giving me the precision I need to fine-tune my recipes.

One of the best upgrades I made came in 2022, when I switched from bottling to kegging. Let me tell you, kegging was a game-changer. It’s infinitely easier to clean and fill one giant keg than to wrestle with 35 individual bottles. It’s also a lot quicker when it comes to serving my creations to friends, who have become quite the fans of my brews. While it’s fun to share the finished product, what I enjoy even more is explaining the process behind each batch—though I’m not sure everyone appreciates my enthusiastic breakdowns of yeast strains and hop varieties!

Science Over Sipping

While my friends enjoy the fruits of my labour, my real interest has shifted towards the science behind brewing. There’s something deeply satisfying about understanding how yeast interacts with sugars or how the different stages of fermentation can affect the flavour profile. I’ve always been someone who likes to know the ‘why’ behind things, and brewing provides endless opportunities to dive into the technical side. Each brew becomes an experiment—tweaking variables like grain choice or water chemistry to see how they influence the end result.

That said, this hobby is definitely more of a passion project than a cost-saving venture. If I had any illusions about saving money by brewing my own beer, those were quickly dispelled. Between the equipment costs and sourcing high-quality ingredients (my go-to supplier is The Malt Miller), I joke that I won’t pay back the initial investment until I’m about 90! But for me, it’s not about saving money—it’s about the joy of the craft.

The Future of Brewing at The Addison Arms

Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep experimenting with different styles and techniques. I’ve tackled everything from IPAs to Pilsners, but the beauty of brewing is that there’s always something new to learn or try. Whether it’s delving deeper into water chemistry or experimenting with more unusual yeast strains, there’s no shortage of ways to push the boundaries of what I can create.

And who knows? Maybe one day, “The Addison Arms” will host more than just a few friends—it could become a full-fledged microbrewery. For now, though, I’m happy to keep brewing, learning, and sharing my creations with the people who appreciate both the beer and the stories behind it.

So, if you ever find yourself at The Addison Arms, don’t just ask for a pint—ask about the science that went into making it. You might get more than you bargained for!