Brewing has always been a strong playstyle in the Stardew Valley universe. Once you get the hang of it, other gameplay elements become a cakewalk. While there are multiple guides on the brewing process, some players find it difficult to keep up with the step-by-step walkthroughs. This guide aims to provide a summarized overview of all the prerequisites needed for effective brewing, so you can jump in at your own pace.
Farming Level: Your First Step
Kegs, the cornerstone of brewing, can be crafted once you’ve reached Farming Level 8. Do not confuse this with Preserves Jars, which unlock at Level 4. Preserves Jars are less efficient when it comes to brewing, so conserve your resources for Kegs.
The Artisan profession, unlocked at Farming Level 10, increases the sell price of your brews by 40%. Naturally, the higher your Farming Level, the better off you’ll be in your brewing endeavors.
Quick Leveling Tips
- Crop Selection: High XP crops like Strawberries in spring, Hops and Starfruit in summer, and Pumpkins in fall can level you up fast.
- Efficiency: Hops, Starfruit, and Pumpkins are also excellent for brewing, making them a dual-purpose crop.
Watering and Irrigation
To be efficient and grow high XP crops, you’ll need to invest in Sprinklers. Sprinklers come in three types: Basic, Quality, and Iridium, each with their respective unlocking Farming Levels. The general idea is to start with Basic Sprinklers in spring and upgrade them as you go.
Efficient Pathways
- Manual to Quality: Manually water your plants until you hit Farming Level 6, then craft a large number of Quality Sprinklers.
- Basic to Iridium: Start with Basic Sprinklers in spring, upgrade to Quality in summer, and aim for Iridium for your Greenhouse and Ginger Island plots.
Foraging and Tree Resins
The second major requirement is reaching Foraging Level 3, where you unlock the crafting recipe for Tappers. Tappers can be attached to Oak Trees to collect Oak Resin, a vital ingredient for crafting Kegs. Newbies who miss this step often find themselves bottlenecked when they unlock Kegs but have no Oak Resin.
Additional Tips
- Battery Packs: Unlocked at Foraging Level 6, Lightning Rods are essential for collecting Battery Packs, needed for Iridium Sprinklers and various other crafts.
- Tree Fertilizer: If you find yourself short of Oak Trees, unlock Foraging Level 7 to craft Tree Fertilizer which can speed up tree growth.
Efficient Brewing and Scaling
Once you’ve met all these prerequisites, you’re well on your way to becoming a master brewer. The next step is to scale your operation. The number of Kegs you need will depend on your crop yield.
Crop to Keg Ratio
- Ancient Fruit: With a 7-day harvest cycle both in the Greenhouse and on Ginger Island, you’ll want a 1:1 ratio of Ancient Fruit to Kegs.
- Starfruit: With a 9-day harvest cycle with Deluxe Speed-Gro, a 9:7 ratio between Starfruit and Kegs is most efficient.
Final Thoughts
In summary, focus on raising your Farming Level to 10 and your Foraging Level to at least 3 for Tappers. Aim for Foraging Level 6 by the first summer to craft Lightning Rods. Prioritize crops that provide high XP and are good for brewing. Lastly, consider the efficiency of your Keg to crop ratio to avoid over or underproduction. With these tips in hand, you should be well on your way to running a highly profitable brewing operation in Stardew Valley.