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Dominion LenDing CentreS OUR HOUSE Spring 2017 >> 17 fouNDaTioN Beyond basement brew in regina, Coty raketti has been brewing his own beer out of his townhouse basement for six years. He got into the hobby the same way as Stevens: he was introduced to it by a buddy. "For me, it was something new and different," he says. "there are so many techniques to learn about; you can always find some- thing different that you didn't know before." raketti started out with the smaller kits, but in the last year invested about $3,000 to up his brew-making game. He says his system at home is close to the way he wants it. the beer he brews is mostly for his own consumption, but he shares it with friends and family. raketti, who sits on the executive of the local home brew asso- ciation ALeS (Ale and Lager enthusiasts of Saskatchewan), said the group's membership has consistently floated above 100 each Brewnosers AnnuAL memBerSHip: $0 brewnosers.org Cowtown Yeast Wranglers AnnuAL memBerSHip: $30 yeastwranglers.ca MontreAlers Brewing Club AnnuAL memBerSHip: $25 montrealers.ca oNTario aTlaNTiC CaNaDa QuEBEC year. He notes that a handful of members have even opened up their own microbreweries after starting out at home. the craft brew industry has exploded in certain parts of the country, with craft beers making up 12 per cent of all beer sales nationally. those doing home-brewing feel the craft-beer craze has been a boon to their own associations. in Hammonds plains, n.S., a suburb of Halifax, business is brisk at everwood Ave Brew Shop. Dave gillett opened his one-man home-brewing equipment store four years ago, after brewing beer in his house for nearly two decades. He says that 20 or 30 years ago the perception was that a batch of home ale couldn't stand up to the big breweries. that isn't the case anymore. "i think the biggest driver of home brew in the last 10 years is the quality of ingredients and kits available to the average brewer has increased significantly," he says, adding the surge in the popularity of craft brewing has opened people's minds to what is possible. A page from the pros gillett says the interest in brewing that perfect beer at home has grown so much, he deals with a lot of prospective home buyers who want to set up a bar and professional draught system in their house. one of his biggest sellers is something called a kegerator, which converts a fridge into a draught-beer machine. the small business owner has even dealt with contractors buying brewing kits at their clients' request. But gillett is quick to point out that a small kit is all it takes to get started in the hobby. "Don't worry about getting the most advanced equipment set up; you can start small and it's very easy to upgrade." it's very attainable to get a starter kit at a local home-brew supply store, he adds. And all the brewers offered similar advice if you find yourself in the kitchen or garage cooking the first batch. "Don't worry: it's going to turn out," says gillett. "Don't be intimidated. if you're interested in trying it, by all means, you're going to have fun, you're going to produce a good product and it's something you made." raketti echoes the sentiment. the regina resident is visually impaired, having lost his sight after he started home brewing. raketti says he's had to adjust, but it hasn't stopped him from brewing at home."you just have to jump in and try it," he says. "it's something fun to do and you get to enjoy it twice." BREwing 101 THE ToolS * » 1 white, food-grade bucket » Plastic tubing » A spoon *Beer-making kits can start as low as $60.

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