Ron Grey of St. Charles would like to ask George Washington, Samuel Adams and Patrick Henry a few questions. (Who wouldn’t?) But Grey’s questions wouldn’t be about politics. They’d be about beer.
Grey, like our forefathers, brews his own beer. And at his new shop, The Home Brew, in downtown St. Charles, Grey is sharing his secrets with area residents.
Inside the small, immaculate shop, which opened in October, Grey rings up sales at his grandfather’s massive wooden bar. Siphons, kegs, tubes, hoses, jars, corks, bottle cappers and beer mixes from around the world surround him.
But while Grey, 60, formerly a professional photographer, seems comfortable immersed in his brewing world, customers are often overwhelmed. Grey quickly puts them at ease.
“If you start with a supply kit, a packaged mix and follow the instructions, it’s almost impossible to make bad beer,” he insists.
Grey’s beginner supply kits cost $45.95. Advanced kits run $89.95. Packaged beer mixes cost $10 to $27 and make roughly 5 gallons of beer. Advanced brewers can purchase items such as malts, yeasts and flavorings separately. And everyone receives Grey’s 20-minute brewing lecture with a kit purchase.
But why go to all the trouble of brewing your own beer?
“So you know what’s in it! Commercial beers are allowed to use up to 52 unlisted ingredients,” Grey explained with a grimace.
Taste is another big factor, according to Grey. Even self-proclaimed beer connoisseurs have succumbed to home brews.
“I remember one guy in particular. He’d tasted beers from Japan to Africa. He was convinced home-brewed beer would be inferior,” Grey said.
Grey walked to the back room, returned with a bottle and offered the man a taste.
“It was a customer’s first batch. When I told the man, he called me a liar. It was that good!” Grey said.
Obviously, Grey’s first love is beer. But if it isn’t your favorite drink, Grey can suggest several alternatives.
“I also have ingredients for making homemade wines, cider, vinegars, sodas and liqueurs.”
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The Home Brew, at 307 W. Main St. in St. Charles, is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Call 708-377-1338.
