Homebrewing on a stovetop Flickr / zolakoma

With the recent explosion in popularity of craft beer in Fayetteville, you might be curious to know what it takes to get into the art of making beer.

This weekend, you’ll get a free opportunity to find out.

The Fayetteville Public Library will host a beer making workshop at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14 as part of its Explore Your Senses adult summer learning series.

The workshop will be led by Bruce McCain, a local homebrewer and manager at the The Home Brewery supply store in Fayetteville.

McCain will demonstrate how to make an extract pale ale, while explaining the steps in the beer making process.

After the workshop, participants can head up to West Mountain Brewing Co. to taste a cloned sample of the beer brewed at the workshop. Samples range from 25¢ to $1, depending on size. A flight featuring the library ale and other West Mountain beers will also be available for $4.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.

Explore Your Senses classes

What: Beer Making

Date: Saturday, June 14

Time: 2 p.m.

Description: Aspiring home brewers and beer lovers alike, please join Bruce McCain from Home Brewery to learn about the beer making process and discover tips for creating the perfect ale.

What: Beauty of Birds- Birding Basics and the Breeding Bird Survey

Date: Saturday, June 21

Time: 1 p.m.

Description: Examine the fascinating world of Arkansas birds. Local ornithologist Joe Neal will explore birding basics for birds common to the region and also discuss the Breeding Bird Survey on the Buffalo National River. Bring your questions and learn about the beauty of birds. Joe Neal is the author of many articles and books on birds, including Birds of Northwest Arkansas: An Ecological Perspective and In the Province of Birds. He is also an active with the Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society.

What: Creativity and the Song Inside of You, Adult Songwriting Workshop with Joe Crookston

Date: Wednesday, July 9

Time: 6 p.m.

Description: Join New York folk musician and Roots Festival performer for a special songwriting workshop. Crookston addresses what it means to be creative and how to discover your true self through music. Overcome creative blocks, let your creativity flow and discover how important imagination is to spirit and health. A concert featuring music written by Joe and students from his songwriting classes for kids, teens, and adults will be held on Thursday, July 10, at 6:30pm. Crookston will also perform a set of his own songs at the library on Friday, July 11 at 7 p.m.

What: The Herbs and Plants of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks

Date: Monday, July 21

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Description: Join Judy Smith, Outreach and Education Coordinator, from the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks for a scentsational experience. She will have a variety of herbs and plants from the Garden for you to explore and enjoy. Attendees may plant an herb to take home. Also, Judy will have free passes for admission to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks so you can continue your scentsory journey.

What: Raw Foods 101 with Ozark Natural Foods

Date: Saturday, July 26

Time: 1 p.m.

Description: Ozark Natural Foods will present basic information on the raw foods movement and demonstrate tasty recipes that anyone can try.

What: Getting in Touch with Your Inner Senses: Meditation Workshop

Date: Wednesday, July 30

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Description: This workshop will teach you how to calm your mind and focus your attention inward in order to reduce stress. While covering the theory, history, and methods of meditation, patrons will also participate in a breathing exercise that will demonstrate one form of meditation practice.