So, here’s the situation: I’m back in Canada after spending some much-needed time in Japan. It was a whirlwind trip filled with family, unexpected challenges, and reflections. But now that I’m back, My husband is heading to Japan just as I return. It’s not just a short trip—his timeline for coming back is completely up in the air. He’s waiting on a positive assessment of his sponsoring company from the Canadian government. If you’ve ever dealt with government processes, you know how painfully slow they can be. No updates, no timelines—just an endless wait. It’s tough, especially because I went through the same thing not too long ago.

So, this holiday season, I’ll be flying solo. Now, spending the holidays alone doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. I’ve decided to make the most of this time by diving into something I’ve always wanted to try—home brewing! Yes, I’m making my own beer at home, and I couldn’t be more excited.

For those who don’t know, home brewing is illegal in Japan, so this is one of those cool opportunities that living in Canada has opened up for me. It’s like a little rebellious dream come true. I’ve already invested in a starter kit—it set me back $149, but I know it’s worth every penny.

If you’re curious about home brewing, here’s a quick overview. First, you’ll need some basic equipment:

A fermentation vessel—think of it as the magical container where your beer transforms.

An airlock, which keeps the beer safe while letting gases escape.

A large pot for boiling your ingredients.

Bottles for storing your masterpiece once it’s ready.

When it comes to ingredients, you’ll need:

Malt extract for the body of your beer.

Hops for that bitterness and aroma.

Yeast to work its magic.

Good-quality water, because beer is mostly water, after all!

Next, I am going to talk about the process. The process itself is pretty straightforward. You start by creating something called wort, a sugary liquid made from malt extract. You boil it, add hops at different stages to build flavor, and then cool it down. Once it’s cool, you transfer it to your fermentation vessel, add yeast, and wait.

Fermentation takes about one to two weeks. After that, you bottle your beer, add a bit of sugar for carbonation, and let it sit for another couple of weeks. And then—it’s time to taste your very own beer!

So, that’s my winter plan—making beer and making the best of it. If you’ve ever brewed beer at home, I’d love to hear your tips or stories. And if you’re thinking about trying it, let’s learn together!

Thanks for tuning in to this episode. Until next time, take care and cheers to new beginnings!