Just brew it
By: Samuel Flow
Issue date: 2/11/09 Section: Other Stories
The art of beer brewing has been around for centuries, and some University of Memphis students will find out firsthand what it takes.
Brewing beer is a growing pastime among beer connoisseurs and beginners alike, according to Mike Lee, member of Bluff City Brewers and owner of Midsouth Malts.
U of M business student Jarod Starnes has brewed beer in the past and found that it was not only cheaper but rewarding on other levels as well.
"I like good beer, and to be able to make your own is more gratifying," he said. "We did get some dog hair in there once, but we strained it out and called it Dog Hair Ale."
Lee's brew shop, Midsouth Malts, specializes in beer-and wine-making supplies, from the barley, hops and other ingredients to make beer to the equipment used to make it.
Lee originally got into brewing beer 25 years ago when his wife bought him a beer brewing kit for Christmas to save money on beer. He said there are a number of reasons to get into home brewing aside from saving money, but in light of the recent economic downturn, Lee says that may be the most relevant.
"We get three to four new people a week," Lee said. "People are dusting off their old brewing equipment instead of buying beer at the store."
In some cases, Lee explained, some store-bought beers, like those made by Anheuser-Busch, may be cheaper than homebrewed beers. The price is lower because they brew with rice, so the product is not of the same quality.
"Anheuser-Busch buys almost all the rice grown in Arkansas and Missouri," Lee said.
Most beers have a three-month shelf life and have been shipped and distributed across the country and from overseas in some cases, so aside from the financial aspect, Lee said with homebrew, you can enjoy a much fresher beer. Lee said brewing beer, in many ways, is comparable to cooking.
"A lot of people that get into brewing beer like to drink beer," he said. "And they like to cook as well. So with brewing beer, you have the fun of making it, and then you have the fun of consuming it."
Founded over 21 years ago, the Bluff City Brewers is one of the oldest brew clubs in the country. Lee and the other members of the club meet once a month to brew beer and share recipes. They also sponsor local events like Art on Tap at the Dixon Gallery and Zoo Brew at the Memphis Zoo. Lee said clubs like the Bluff City Brewers are a good way for people with the common interest of brewing beer to interact and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Brewing beer is a growing pastime among beer connoisseurs and beginners alike, according to Mike Lee, member of Bluff City Brewers and owner of Midsouth Malts.
U of M business student Jarod Starnes has brewed beer in the past and found that it was not only cheaper but rewarding on other levels as well.
"I like good beer, and to be able to make your own is more gratifying," he said. "We did get some dog hair in there once, but we strained it out and called it Dog Hair Ale."
Lee's brew shop, Midsouth Malts, specializes in beer-and wine-making supplies, from the barley, hops and other ingredients to make beer to the equipment used to make it.
Lee originally got into brewing beer 25 years ago when his wife bought him a beer brewing kit for Christmas to save money on beer. He said there are a number of reasons to get into home brewing aside from saving money, but in light of the recent economic downturn, Lee says that may be the most relevant.
"We get three to four new people a week," Lee said. "People are dusting off their old brewing equipment instead of buying beer at the store."
In some cases, Lee explained, some store-bought beers, like those made by Anheuser-Busch, may be cheaper than homebrewed beers. The price is lower because they brew with rice, so the product is not of the same quality.
"Anheuser-Busch buys almost all the rice grown in Arkansas and Missouri," Lee said.
Most beers have a three-month shelf life and have been shipped and distributed across the country and from overseas in some cases, so aside from the financial aspect, Lee said with homebrew, you can enjoy a much fresher beer. Lee said brewing beer, in many ways, is comparable to cooking.
"A lot of people that get into brewing beer like to drink beer," he said. "And they like to cook as well. So with brewing beer, you have the fun of making it, and then you have the fun of consuming it."
Founded over 21 years ago, the Bluff City Brewers is one of the oldest brew clubs in the country. Lee and the other members of the club meet once a month to brew beer and share recipes. They also sponsor local events like Art on Tap at the Dixon Gallery and Zoo Brew at the Memphis Zoo. Lee said clubs like the Bluff City Brewers are a good way for people with the common interest of brewing beer to interact and enjoy the fruits of their labor.