There’s no doubt about it; America is a melting pot of people different several different ethnicities, nationalities, religious groups, belief systems, customs, and cultures. But rather than having these factors divide the good people of America, it brings them together in unique ways that are still distinctly American. Funny how that works, isn’t, that a country created from so many different cultures can be so cohesive? And within the United States and even around the world, there are plenty of examples that are easily recognized as to what being American is; what it looks like, what it smells like, what it feels, what it sounds like, and even what it tastes like.

And what looks, feels, smells, sounds, and tastes more American than an ice cold beer, especially if that beer is homebrewed. Home beer brewing combines two of the best principles of the American spirit that define what it truly means to be an American; an ingenious, entrepreneurial, do it yourself spirit combined with an adult beverage that’s as American as apple pie. And although the origins of beer (and many other things that are quintessentially “American”) aren’t tied to North America, home brewing has been a large part of American history since settlers first sit foot on the land that would later become the United States of America.

Why home brewing? Well, why not?

Although home brewing for has been around for a quite some time — as in hundreds of years — it’s only begun to gain a resurgence in popularity in recent years. There are plenty of great manufacturers of beers in the United States, and many of these brands have become staples in American households across the country. But nothing beats the taste of a home brew, and that’s a major part of why this art is gaining popularity all over again. As Americans change their eating habits to include more whole, minimally processed, and organic ingredients, it only makes sense that they would do the same in terms of what they drink and enjoy responsibly.

The benefits of home brewing

Whether you’re an avid beer drinker or an amateur that is just graduating from their college budget beer of choice, there are plenty of reasons to brew at home. Here are just a few.

You don’t need a lot of equipment to get started

Taking the plunge into home brewing your own beer requires less equipment than you probably think, with the bulk being beer pump accessories such as chemical pumps, a stock pot, a sanitizing solution, and a fermenter. Yep, that’s it. Although your set up won’t look like Walter White’s just yet, having even just the basics such as chemical pumps and other beer brewing pumps (fancy name for beer pumps) and sanitizing solution is a good start.

It save’s a lot of money

Everyone knows that do it yourself projects save a lot of money, and that sure beats the expense of hiring a professional. This is especially true when it comes to home brewing, where the initial investment of buying chemical pumps, a stock pot, a fermenter, and sanitizing solution will quickly pay for themselves in the amount of money you’ll save on not having to buy beer. So year, it’s possible to have a “champagne” or high end home brew beer taste on a store bought beer budget. Oh, not to mention the fact that beer brewing equipment such as chemical pumps aren’t even that expensive.

It’s a lot better for you…so there Mom

Your mother may have told you that beer was bad for you she was right…kind of. Many brand name, store bought beer brands contain high amounts of genetically modified ingredients, which have been linked to a whole host of health issues and chronic illness. Brewing your own beer allows you control exactly what goes into your brew. Not only does this yield better quality and taste, but your raw, unpasteurized home brew is rich in live yeasts and vitamin B.