Search Results for: how do you brew in cold weather

Brewing beer is a temperature-sensitive process.  Ales require 58-68˚ F (14-20° C).  Lagers need 53 down to 40˚ F (4-11° C) to properly ferment and condition.  If you live in the far Northern Hemisphere, or the Southern, temperature becomes a concern.  You have many options.  You need not be relegated to your short summer months […]

Fermentation is a tricky business.  Sometimes the yeast prematurely rests on the bottom.  Activity all but stops.  What to do!!??  One is tempted to stir it. Once in the fermentor, the wort shouldn’t be stirred. The beer is vulnerable, so moving or touching it could introduce oxygen or bacteria that could spoil the beer.  If

According to some…the Germans, there can only be four ingredients in beer.  Barley, hops, yeast, and water.  They speak from a position of authority as they are arguably the world’s preeminent lager brewers. What about the yeast? Dry yeast is stable, dependable and the quality has dramatically increased in recent years.  Liquid yeast is cultured

Your brew session is wrapping up.  Whether one hour for a beginner or eight hours for an advanced all-grain brewer, the next stage is the same.  You must cool your wort and quickly.  Your window for effective cooling is 30 minutes, 40 minutes at the absolute outside. You can cool your wort by adding cold

The main reason that people start making beer at home is usually a hobby. Home brewers claim beers taste the same as the ones you buy, if not better. And making your beer is an enjoyable and satisfying pastime. It also takes less time than you might think. Pressure barrels are incredibly useful during the

When you first get started with homebrewing beer, it’s crucial to start with easy beers. Not only does starting with something complicated increase your chances of making a mistake during the brewing process, but you’re also more likely to brew something unpalatable if you start playing around with experimental ingredients and additives without knowing some

Yeast is one of the most critical ingredients when brewing your own alcoholic beverages at home. The use of different strains of yeast, even with all the other ingredients being the same, can impart different flavors in the finished brew. No one yeast will work for all recipes. Always choose a good quality yeast that

Gentlemen, ladies, I’m here to tell you, DON’T PANIC! Thank you, Mr. Adams. Sometimes our FG ends up higher than we’d planned.  If brewing strong beer, maybe OK.  If brewing a session beer 4 – 5%, maybe trouble in paradise. The primary causes of high final gravities (FG)  are dark malt extracts, an adjunct ingredient,