Instructions

1. Pour 1½ gallons of water into the kettle and put it on to boil. While the water starts to boil, place the malt extract syrup or extract in hot water so that it is liquid and easier to pour.

2. Remove the kettle from the heat and stir in two cans of malt extract. Add two cups of brown sugar at the same time. Stir until both the extract and the brown sugar are melted and mixed into the water. Return the kettle to the stove.

3. Boil the mixture. Cornells suggests boiling for at least 30 minutes, though longer boiling times are appropriate as well.

4. Check the fermenter while the malt, water and brown sugar boil. Clean the fermenter with hot water and bleach to sanitize if necessary. Rinse with hot water to remove the bleach and add three gallons of cold water to the fermenter. Cover with the lid. Set it aside.

5. Add about half an ounce of hop pellets to the malt, brown sugar and water mixture about five minutes before the mixture is done. Stir in until the pellets dissolve.

6. Remove the kettle from the heat and pour the mixture into the fermenter and cold water. Replace the lid immediately and allow the mixture to cool.

7. Rehydrate the beer yeast according to the specific instructions of the yeast. Exact methods differ for each yeast and brand. Use the full packet of beer yeast.

8. Add the yeast to the fermenter when the mixture is about room temperature. Remove the lid, pour the yeast into the fermenter and immediately close the lid. Do not stir or allow the lid to remain off for long to minimize exposure to the air.

9. Allow the beer to ferment. Check on the beer within 24 hours to ensure fermenting has started. If it is fermenting, the beer will show a frothy appearance. Allow it to ferment for two weeks in a dark location at room temperature.

10. Pour the beer from the fermenter into the bottling bucket. Avoid agitating the beer as much as possible.

11. Place the bucket on a counter or table as preferred and attach the racking cane, sifting hose and bottle filler according to the specific bucket instructions. The racking cane, sifting hose and bottle filler come with the bucket. Fill up the beer bottles and cap them immediately. Store in a cool place for about two weeks to allow it to age.