Home Brewing Beer and Cider in England: A Nostalgic Yet Dwindling Hobby

While home brewing has always held a special place in the hearts of many in England, this once-popular activity has seen a significant decline over the past few decades. In this article, we explore the reasons behind this trend and highlight the advantages and challenges of home brewing in today’s modern and often busier lifestyle.

The Decline of Home Brewing

According to many sources, home brewing has become far less common than it was 30 or 40 years ago. One major reason for this decline is the shift in societal attitudes towards leisure and expenditure. Modern people tend to prioritize instant gratification, leading to a decrease in the time and effort many are willing to put into brewing beer themselves. Additionally, the typical family household in contemporary England is often smaller, and airing cupboards - crucial for the brewing process - are now harder to come by.

Modern Home Brewing

While the traditional methods of home brewing may have declined, many enthusiasts still occasionally turn to this hobby. Popularity remains for those who enjoy producing beer for special events or high days and holidays. Brewing can be an enjoyable and cost-effective pursuit, especially when using quality brewing kits. For instance, a basic setup can cost around ￡25–30 for a 3-5 gallon run. These kits often include pre-made hopped and malted barley wort in a tin or bag, as well as dried yeast and hops for the finishing process.

Advantages and Challenges of Home Brewing

Although more challenging, some enthusiasts choose to brew beer from scratch. This process, also known as all-grain brewing, requires a boiler to mash and sparge the grains. Those with a bit of extra time and skill might enjoy this approach, but it also comes with its challenges, such as determining the proper mashing temperature and timing.

Another drawback is the increasing availability of high-quality beer from craft breweries. Many regions in England are now home to a multitude of micro-breweries that produce consistently superior beer. Within a 50-mile radius, there could be up to 20 such breweries, all capable of crafting better and more consistently good beer than many homebrewers can. However, home brewing still has its advantages. Brewing a session beer (typically 3.5% ABV) and ensuring the beer keeps for months are just two of the benefits that can be derived from this hobby.

Cider Making: A Traditional English Delight

While home brewing beer may be declining, the tradition of making cider remains strong and significant. Cider involves a much more hands-on process, which includes selecting apples, cleaning them, and handling bruising and damage. The process of scrapping the apples to prepare for pressing and fermenting further highlights the physical and labor-intensive nature of cider making.

There are different methods of fermentation, one allowing natural fermentation, which results in a rough and dry cider, while another involves using a lighter beer yeast to produce a sweeter and less intense version. This process is not only integral to the production of cider but also serves as the foundation for annual events where friends and relatives gather to eat, drink, sing, dance, and generally enjoy themselves.

However, it's worth noting the potential risks associated with home-made cider, particularly scrumpy cider, which is known for its strong potency and can lead to impaired judgment. As one might imagine, this is a topic that even makes its way into local songs, such as the reference in the line, "Cider that will cloud your brain and make your knees go weak."

Conclusion

Home brewing and cider making in England are activities that have a rich history and cultural significance. Although they may not be as common as they once were, these hobbies continue to captivate those who appreciate the slow art of creating refreshing beverages. Whether it's the satisfaction of crafting a bespoke beer or the joy of cider-making's intricate process, these traditional crafts remain an important part of English heritage and continue to offer unique and valued experiences to enthusiasts.