Our House

16 >> OUR HOUSE Spring 2017 Dominion LenDing CentreS T here might be nothing better than enjoying a cold beer at the end of a hard day. And for the average beer drinker, getting their hands on a great ale has mostly meant buying beer made by big commercial brewers. But that's starting to change, as a growing number of people are literally looking closer to home to enjoy their favourite beer. Hooked on a hobby Andrew Stevens started brewing out of his montreal home a decade ago. He was introduced to the hobby through a friend and has been hooked ever since. "it started with one simple kit and the next thing you know, you have a whole room dedicated to all kinds of equipment," he tells our House magazine. Stevens is the president of the montreAlers Brewing Club, a non- profit home brewing association with some 200 members, and growing, in the montreal area and parts beyond in Quebec. Brewing beer may be a cost- savings measure for some, but many other home brewers take the hobby pretty seriously. Associations, like the montreAlers, have sprung up across the country. they often hold annual competitions, and there's even a national circuit. "people get real serious about it," says Stevens. But the avid home brewer also pointed out it doesn't take much space or money to get started on your first batch of suds. All you need to begin is a white, food-grade bucket, some tubing and a spoon. Beer-making kits can start as low as $60. Stevens also points A new batch of brewers are making serious suds at home By JEREMY DEUTSCH CrafT ConneCtionS Select beer-brewing associations across Canada Ale and Lager Enthusiasts of Saskatchewan (ALES) AnnuAL memBerSHip: $30 alesclub.com Winnipeg Brew Bombers AnnuAL memBerSHip: $35 winnipegbrewbombers.ca Edmonton Home Brewers Guild AnnuAL memBerSHip: $35 ehg.ca VanBrewers AnnuAL memBerSHip: $20 vanbrewers.wildapricot.org BriTish ColumBia alBErTa maNiToBa sasKaTChEWaN out his members have set up brewing sys- tems in garages, on backyard decks and even in apartment kitchens. in his home, he uses a propane burner like the type you'd use at a corn roast, but he added there are intricate electric systems available too. Some home brewing systems are set up to mimic a professional brew pub. And there's a plethora of information both on the internet and from members of the various associations to get started in the hobby. "it's a very open community too, so nobody has any qualms having some stranger come over to their house and brew beer together," Stevens says. Apartment kitchens, garages and base- ments are all prime places to get started in home-brewing. The key to making the best beer? Good ingredients. (2) ALAmy, StoCKSy

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