Mike Reyes, of Elmwood Park, adds a package of hops to the boiling wort during the Elmwood Park Homebrewing Club's first brewing day at the Elmwood Park Public Library. | Michael Jarecki~for Sun-Times Media

Luisa Vercillo of Elmwood Park smells a package of hops during the Elmwood Park Homebrewing Club's first brewing day. | Michael Jarecki~for Sun-Times Media

A pot of boiling wort sits on a stove during the Elmwood Park Homebrewing Club's first brewing day. | Michael Jarecki~for Sun-Times Media

Reference librarian and brewmaster Dan Beringhele (right) checks the gravity reading of a sample of wort Nov. 25. | Michael Jarecki~for Sun-Times Media

Reference librarian and brewmaster Dan Beringhele pours a pot of wort into a brewing bucket during the Elmwood Park Homebrewing Club's first brewing day. | Michael Jarecki~for Sun-Times Media

A gravity reading gauge sits in a sample of wort. | Michael Jarecki~for Sun-Times Media