Home Brew Hotspot

For a state so small, we certainly have an embarrassment of craft beer riches. As our palates become more attuned to hoppy and malty varieties, it makes sense that home brewing is gaining in popularity. Enter Brew It Yourself New England, your friendly neighborhood home brewing supplier. Brewing entrepreneur Brian Buongiovanni is an avid homebrewer who received a starter brewing kit three years ago and hasn’t stopped since.

“I think one of the misconceptions about homebrewing is that it's difficult, which couldn't be further from the truth,” explains Brian. “Thanks to major advances in equipment and ingredients it can be as easy or as advanced as you'd like it to be.” So if you’re thinking of taking the plunge and are looking for a simple recipe, an amber ale or pale ale is a great place to start. According to Brian, both styles are simple and tasty.

If you’re thinking you’d rather dabble in wine making, he suggests attempting a robust red like a Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec. If hard cider is more up your alley, you’re in luck because apparently ciders are very easy and fun to make. “I just brought in a special yeast strain specifically designed for cider making,” he says. “Up until now, cider makers have relied mostly on champagne yeast, but this market is constantly changing and there's always a company out there working to meet the needs of customers and releasing products tailored to the home fermentation field.”

In addition to producing a tasty treat for you and for friends (or just you, who are we kidding?), you can fulfill your dream of playing mad scientist and bringing something to life. “I have customers that regularly email me with special orders and entire recipes that they need filled,” Brian explains. “I'm always happy to help.” Available at Brickyard Wine and Spirits, 1 Waseca Avenue, Barrington. 401-289-2140 & Nikki's Liquors, 32 Branch Avenue, Providence. 401-861-9006