Is it Healthier to Brew Your Own Beer? Four Factors to Consider

Brewing your own beer is an art form that offers various benefits. For instance, it allows you to tap into your creativity, experiment with different combinations of ingredients and flavors, and create something truly unique. 

By brewing at home, you can also practice sustainability by reducing waste associated with commercial processing and packaging. Furthermore, if you follow certain brewing methods and ideas, it can be healthier to brew your own beer than to drink commercially produced beer. So, here are four factors to consider.

1. You Can Have Control Over the Ingredients

One of the primary reasons why brewing your own beer can be healthier is the control you have over what goes into it. When buying commercially produced beer, you often do not truly know all the ingredients and brewing methods used, whereas, with homebrewing, you will know every ingredient that goes into your beer crafting.

For example, you could avoid certain preservatives or additives that are commonly found in store-bought beers to make yours healthier. Home brewing also gives you an opportunity to include healthful ingredients that would not typically be found in commercially produced beers. 

For instance, you could add fruit purees to your brews. By crafting beers using fruit purees, you can create unique and flavorsome beverages that are packed with additional vitamins and antioxidants from fruits like blueberries or strawberries.

Plus, such beers will pair nicely with delicious foods like blueberry, kale, and quinoa salad and strawberry pretzel dessert parfaits. 

2. You Can Reduce the Alcohol Content 

If you are looking for a beer with less alcohol content in order to be healthier, there are now beers on the market that range considerably from low to high alcohol content.

But by brewing your own, you have the ability to reduce the alcohol content to precisely suit your strength requirements. For instance, you could brew a lighter beer by reducing fermentation times or using a mix of grains. 

3. You Can Ensure Quality and Freshness 

Another health advantage of home brewing is freshness. You decide how quickly you consume your beer once it has been brewed, which means there are no potential worries about degradation in quality that can happen post-production with commercial beers. Plus, using fresh ingredients can potentially improve the nutritional value.

4. You Can Have More Control Over Serving Size 

Homebrewers also have an advantage when it comes to controlling serving size. Commercial beers come in standard sizes, which makes it harder to regulate consumption and stay healthy. 

But when you brew at home, you can easily limit yourself to smaller servings if desired to help control your alcohol intake.

Healthy Brewing Tips

Now that you are excited to start brewing your own healthier beer at home, here are some great tips to help you become a seasoned brewmaster.

• Experiment with less malt: To reduce the alcohol content in your brews, use less malt. This is known as a session beer, which is less alcoholic yet full of flavor.
• Limit fermentation: The longer beer ferments, the higher its final alcohol content will be. If you are focused on keeping things light, try shorter fermentation times.
• Choose healthy ingredients: Try incorporating fresh fruit purees or whole grains for an added health boost. Your beers will not only taste great but also provide additional nutrients.
• Cleanliness is crucial: A clean brewing space prevents contamination and ensures a quality final product. Always properly sanitize your equipment before starting, ultimately promoting better health and safety.
• Monitor temperature carefully: The brewing and fermentation process relies heavily on the correct temperature. Too hot or too cold can have a significant impact on both the taste and alcohol content of your brew. So, always keep an eye on it to ensure optimal results.