How to become a Long Island home beer brewer
Kevin McKenna is president of the Handgrenades Homebrew and Craft Beer Club. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
When Kevin McKenna sipped his first homemade beer, it was an intoxicating feat, tasting just like his favorite Samuel Adams brew.
Now, 30 years later, the beerista concocts in his Wantagh garage with novel ingredients like rosemary, and keeps as many as eight home brews on tap. In a favorite twist, a beer made with iced tea and lemon zest copied the Arnold Palmer brand iced tea and lemonade. During the Kentucky Derby, his “mint julep ale” was a winner, made with mint and oak chips he had soaked in bourbon.
“The thing I love about home brewing is it’s equal parts science and art,” said McKenna, 54, director of planning for an apparel company and president of the Handgrenades Homebrew and Craft Beer Club. “You can go as easy and as complex as you want.”
Whether beer crafting newcomers buy a brew in a box or start from scratch by crushing grain, they need not fear because other Long Island devotees are quick to lend support.
At least three clubs meet regularly, often holding contests requiring members to use specified ingredients — cereal, Oreo cookies and chocolate have been in beers — or mimic certain tastes, like that of a Mai Tai. Craft breweries have made batches of contestants’ winning beers for sale. Clubs host fundraisers for nonprofits.
Nick Cimorelli, whose brewing bug led to the opening of South Shore Craft Brewery in Oceanside, said the hobby does not have to be expensive. Most equipment is likely already in the home, such as multi-gallon pots. The resourceful can repurpose coolers for part of the process, he said, and even brown bags can be put over fermenting containers to keep out light.
He noted a local brewing advantage: “Our water on Long Island is actually pretty good for brewing beer. It has a lower mineral content.”
The many YouTube videos on brewing can be invaluable to beginners, said Ken Windt, whose family owns the Kedco beer making supplier in Farmingdale. He is also half of the team behind their “Brews Brothers” kit.
A newer option, the all-in-one machine, costs hundreds of dollars but consolidates several steps, he said.
For McKenna, the excitement comes in tweaking this and that in his recipes.
“You’re always chasing that perfect beer,” he said. “I haven’t gotten there yet.”
Home brewers clubs
Handgrenades Homebrew and Craft Beer Club, Nassau County-based, started the Iron Brewer contest, where members are mailed a list of ingredients that must all be used to make a batch of beer; hhcbc.org
Long Island Beer and Malt Enthusiasts, during their Steinbrew event members dress up like Vikings to make beer the old way, using hot rocks heated up in a fire pit; libme.org
Brewers East End Revival (BEER), touts itself as Long Island’s oldest beer club and hosts the annual Beer and Mead Brew Off; beerhbc.org
Thirsty for more info?
Long Island Beer Guide lists events and where to find great beer; libeerguide.com
American Homebrewers Association, a club with tutorials, a magazine and recipes; homebrewersassociation.org
Brewer’s Friend, an online forum and education site with recipes; brewersfriend.com
The Complete Joy of Home Brewing, book by Charlie Papazian
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