How to Make a Mocktail Version of Beer at Home

Beer enthusiasts who are looking for a non-alcoholic alternative can now indulge their love for beer without the alcoholic content. Whether you're cutting down on alcohol, abstaining from alcohol altogether, or simply want a unique home-brewed experience, making a mocktail version of beer is a fun and rewarding hobby. This guide will walk you through the process and highlight the differences between brewing traditional beer and creating a non-alcoholic beer.

The Process of Creating a Mocktail Beer

For those with a background in home brewing, the difference between creating traditional beer and a mocktail version is significant. While both processes start with similar ingredients and initial steps, the finish is far apart. Here’s a detailed look at how to create a mocktail beer:

Ingredients and Initial Steps

Start by gathering your ingredients just as you would for brewing beer:

Water: Ensure it's clean and purified. Malt: This can be from an extract or from malted grain. Hops (optional): For that classic beer flavor.

Begin by heating water in a kettle. Once it comes to a boil, add malt. If using malted grain, cook it and strain out the grain to leave the sugar behind. If you’re using malt extract, simply mix it with the hot water.

Boiling and Bottling – The Key Differences

The crucial difference occurs during bottling:

Traditional Beer Brewing: After cooling, yeast is added to initiate fermentation. This process takes time for the flavors to develop. Mocktail Beer: Once the mixture is boiling, it is poured into heated bottles. Bottling is done while the mixture is still close to boiling to ensure sterility and prevent fermentation.

This method is more challenging and requires careful handling, especially with hot liquids. Using machinery is recommended to prevent burning your hands. Once bottled, simply allow it to cool.

Removing Most Alcohol: An Alternative Method

If the aforementioned method seems too challenging, there is another straightforward technique to achieve a similar result:

Temperature Control Method

This process involves warming the beer to a specific temperature without reaching a boil. Follow these steps:

Warm the beer to 75 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes. Check the alcohol content using a hydrometer to see the change in gravity, indicating the removal of alcohol. After this step, the beer can be kegged and carbonated with CO2.

Note: For bottling, it may be a challenge to carbonate as yeast may have been killed by warming the beer. Adding sugar for carbonation may not result in the desired outcome.

Summary: Creating a mocktail version of beer is a rewarding hobby for beer enthusiasts looking for a non-alcoholic alternative. The key is in the careful handling and control of temperature to prevent fermentation and preserve the intended taste.

Conclusion

For those with a passion for home brewing, making a non-alcoholic beer is a delightful challenge that ensures a refreshing and authentic taste. With the right approach and a bit of creativity, you can enjoy a crafty and non-alcoholic beer that honours the tradition of beer brewing. Cheers!