Strange Passions lightning talk on the fermenting arts from Strange Loop 2010

1. strange passions
how to win friends and intoxicate people
a hacker’s guide to home brewing
eleanor mchugh
Friday, 15 October 2010 1

2. a little background
fermentation is a natural process
it’s powered by yeast and sugar
like most biology it also needs water
yeast eats sugar and excretes alcohol
carbon dioxide waste adds bubbles
and together they kill harmful bacteria
Friday, 15 October 2010 2

3. motivation
cheaper than commercial alcohol
no odious alcohol taxes
experiment with new flavours
bucket chemistry is fun
satisfaction of a job well done
being self-sufficient
Friday, 15 October 2010 3

4. bucket
should be sealable
a tap will help with getting
your precious brew out later
Friday, 15 October 2010 4

5. steriliser
never use dirty equipment
as methanol poisoning will
send you blind
Friday, 15 October 2010 5

6. kettle
brewing requires a lot of hot
water so a good kettle helps
this poor kettle gave it’s life
to make this presentation
Friday, 15 October 2010 6

7. airlock
brewing generates a lot of
carbon dioxide so you need a
lid that takes a bung and
airlock if you want to avoid
messy accidents
Friday, 15 October 2010 7

8. sugar
good old granulated sucrose,
a brewer’s second-best friend
Friday, 15 October 2010 8

9. yeast
without yeast there’ll be no
fermentation and no alcohol
you probably also want some
thiamine to act as a nutrient
Friday, 15 October 2010 9

10. the wine kit
contains fruit concentrate,
yeast, various wine-making
chemicals (bentonite,
pectolase, etc.) and is a good
way to start your adventures
three weeks to brew
one month to mature
Friday, 15 October 2010 10

11. wine
beloved drink of poets and sinners
can be made with any fruit or legume
grapes are a particular favourite
wine yields 11+% alcohol content
and is available in handy kit form
Friday, 15 October 2010 11

12. Friday, 15 October 2010 12

13. homebrew
beer can be made by mixing
malt extract (maltose) with
sugar and fermenting at
room temperature
ten days to ferment
two weeks or more to mature
Friday, 15 October 2010 13

14. beer
beer is made by fermenting cereals
it yields up to 12% alcohol content
3 lb maltose + 6 lb sucrose = 5 gallons
add hop extract for a crisp flavour
add molasses for richness
add milk protein for creaminess
Friday, 15 October 2010 14

15. Friday, 15 October 2010 15

16. cider
mix enough apple squash
concentrate to make five
gallons with 6 lb of sugar and
a teaspoon of lemon juice
one week to ferment
two weeks or more to mature
Friday, 15 October 2010 16

17. other options
ginger beer
lemonade
fig wine
cola wine
if it’s got sugar it will probably ferment
Friday, 15 October 2010 17