2008 Woodie Awards
'The wonderful world of beer'
Locals discuss the perks of home brewing
Arielle Napp
Issue date: 9/28/07 Section: Mosaic
Keg stands. Beer pong. Flip cup. For many students, drinking beer is more than an activity - it's a way to compete with friends or a chance to blow off steam after a long week of classes, exams and homework. For the most part, these students don't care what kind of beer they drink, as long as they're drinking it. Some people, however, take pleasure in the production of beer, in addition to the consumption.
Joe Gallo, owner of How Do You Brew, a store that specializes in the equipment and ingredients for home brewing, says there are numerous advantages to brewing beer.
"Money is a big one," Gallo says. "With store-bought beer, the most expensive thing you're paying for is the bottle or can that it comes in."
Despite this obvious draw for college students living on tight budgets, Gallo says the majority of his business doesn't come from university students.
"It seems to me that students right now are more interested in drinking beer than making it," he says.
Other advantages to brewing beer include better flavor, more control over ingredients and color and access to flavors and techniques from around the world, Gallo says.
"We cover the whole gamut of beer recipes," he says. "There's a lot more regional territory to beer than people realize, and when they brew themselves, they have the chance to experiment with a lot more."
Different recipes include those from different areas in America, as well as throughout Germany, Belgium and the rest of Europe, among others.
Justin Sproul, head brewer at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant in Newark, cites another advantage to home-brewed beers.
"My biggest thing is the freshness factor," Sproul says. "My beers are not nearly as old as store-bought beer is off the shelf."
He also says at Iron Hill, he doesn't include any preservatives, animal products or stabilizers. One or all of these additives are generally found in store-bought beers.
One reason students may be less than enthusiastic to brew their own beer is the inconvenience. The process can require sizable equipment and space.
Joe Gallo, owner of How Do You Brew, a store that specializes in the equipment and ingredients for home brewing, says there are numerous advantages to brewing beer.
"Money is a big one," Gallo says. "With store-bought beer, the most expensive thing you're paying for is the bottle or can that it comes in."
Despite this obvious draw for college students living on tight budgets, Gallo says the majority of his business doesn't come from university students.
"It seems to me that students right now are more interested in drinking beer than making it," he says.
Other advantages to brewing beer include better flavor, more control over ingredients and color and access to flavors and techniques from around the world, Gallo says.
"We cover the whole gamut of beer recipes," he says. "There's a lot more regional territory to beer than people realize, and when they brew themselves, they have the chance to experiment with a lot more."
Different recipes include those from different areas in America, as well as throughout Germany, Belgium and the rest of Europe, among others.
Justin Sproul, head brewer at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant in Newark, cites another advantage to home-brewed beers.
"My biggest thing is the freshness factor," Sproul says. "My beers are not nearly as old as store-bought beer is off the shelf."
He also says at Iron Hill, he doesn't include any preservatives, animal products or stabilizers. One or all of these additives are generally found in store-bought beers.
One reason students may be less than enthusiastic to brew their own beer is the inconvenience. The process can require sizable equipment and space.
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