Homebrewing

Mashing is the number one thing that enters you into the realm of Journeyman brewer, much less Master Brewer. Knowing how to mash properly every time takes years of practice and even then confounds the seasoned veterans. Do we need to mash out at the end of process? Well, it depends. A mash-out is unnecessary […]

New England IPAs or Hazy IPAs are madly popular right now; everyone wants a sip of this tropical-scented, creamy and juicy brew. It’s easy to see why; it’s friendly for non-beer drinkers and exciting for experienced tasters. Today brewing kits are more sophisticated than ever and you can make your own batch of NEIPA at

Making beer at home is more than a hobby; it’s a real passion, and for some, it becomes a lifelong profession. Beer is noble like that. You take care of it from grain to bottle, days and weeks on end, only to share one good beer with friends. If you know someone that fits the

Although brewing beer is a fun hobby that anyone can enjoy with the right equipment and some practice, it is also a science. When you brew beer, you’re effectively controlling the transformation of large carbohydrate molecules into fermentable sugars. Then you allow live yeast to turn them into alcohol, all while making sure you get

Making crackers out of your spent grain is a great way to recycle part of the malt you’ve used to brew beer. I’ve tried this recipe a few times and it’s always a success. They are very easy to make. Note that it’s better to bake the crackers on the same day. But I get

To pure craft brewers, rice is a sacrilegious addition to pure beer, as it’s the main ingredient in Budweiser among myriad other mass-produced beers. However, its casing, the hulls play an invaluable part of brewing specialty styles.  Wheat beers, 100% wheat malt beers, and any beer with a significant portion of adjunct grain may need

Bubbles define beer and give it the kick that makes it so distinct.  As a homebrewer, carbonating is routine.  It needs to be done properly and with care. I’ll discuss a different issue here: how long must one wait for good head? This question crosses our minds perpetually. 2 – 3 weeks is the standard

Reusing bottles is an easy process once a proper SOP is established.  Clean, sanitized bottles are needed for any avid homebrewer.  There is no reason to shell out $45.00 for 2 cases of clean bottles each time a batch is packaged.  This is almost a dollar a bottle! We’d be better off buying beer at

It’s often asked among brewers at home and in the brewhouse, is secondary fermentation worth the time and effort. Having been a professional brewer for more than 10 years, I’m here to put that debate to rest. Yes, it is. Secondary fermentation is a vital and necessary component of brewing.  For home brewers, it is

Lambic beer is the penultimate grail of beer brewing, loved and reviled equally among even the greatest brewers. It is among the hardest beers to emulate in a home brewery.  Undaunted, move ahead with your plan, be fearless, and therein lies the opportunity for greatness. Lambic beer is the hardest beer to emulate at home,