The most important responsibility in crafting great and consistent beers is perfect sanitary conditions. There are two stages to worry about. First, is the boil. Since boiling at temperature is sanitary, few if any steps are needed to maintain a bacteria free brew desk. However, because small particles and residue can introduce off favors into your beer, please take the time to prepare your brew kettle and tools prior to starting. Second and most critical is the fermentation bucket. Once the boil is over and the beer has cooled, the game begins. Even oxygen can corrupt the beer. Anything set to touch that liquid needs to be sanitized in Starsan or the like.
There are a few sterilization powders and liquids used in this industry that are food grade and safe. Always work with a 5 gallon wash bucket filled with 1-2 gallons of luke warm water mixed with your favorite sterilizer. This method allows you to pick and pull any tool or hose repeatedly from the bucket and remain crystal clean. I chose to wear sanitary gloves all the way to my elbow during the transfer phase from boil kettle to fermenter. This way even an arm hair will not find its way into the beer prior to fermentation.
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