Alcohol Measurements
Alcohol Measurements Although ABV may be one of the most common measurements for how much alcohol is in a beverage, it might not be the only alcohol measurement that you come across. There are several other measurements of alcohol that you’re likely to see on various beverage labels. Understanding how to recognize these different measurements […]
When We’re Not Brewing
When We’re Not Brewing – We Are Jedi Mash Masters!
5 Minute Guide On How To Store Beer
Proper beer storage is the key to a great drinking experience, and the right storage temperature will make any beer taste its best. Here’s what you need to know to get the maximum flavor out of everything from a barleywine to a Budweiser. How To Store Beer — The Basics Most craft brewers work really […]
What Is a Foeder?
What Is a Foeder? And How to Even Say It Photography courtesy of Foeder Crafters of America A Dutch word, foeder (pronounced food-er) refers to a large vertical or horizontal oak barrel where wild, sour, or clean beer can be aged or fermented. The French, who spell the word as foudre, have used them for centuries to […]
Water and Mash pH
Water chemistry for brewing is a complex topic, which is why entire books have been written about water and brewing. Unfortunately, many of these books assume you have a good knowledge of chemistry, along with microbiology and brewing. Assuming you have access to a “reasonably good” water source, you should not have to do much […]
Importance of Mash Temperatures
Mashing is a brewing term for the hot water steeping process which hydrates the grains being used, activates the malt enzymes, and converts the grain starches into fermentable sugars. Different temperatures result in different outcomes and flavor profiles within the final beer. What Happens During Mashing In the mash there are many enzymes that can be taken advantage of. […]
Hit Your Target Gravity
When your neighborhood pub stops serving your favorite English bitter, what can you do? Make your own, of course. Homebrewers thrive on the challenge of recreating the round malts and bracing hops of popular beer styles. Armed with a hydrometer, experienced homebrewers can construct a beer from the ground up, starting with specific gravity. A […]
History of the Citra Hop
The Citra hop is by far the most popular hop used in IPAs, and is one of the most grown hops in the United States. It is the foundation of new-age beers right alongside hops like Galaxy, Simcoe and Mosaic. However, besides being one of the best-known hops, I had no other information about it. As it turns out, when I […]
The Dank Connection Between Weed and Hops
Certain hop varieties are known to exhibit the familiar and similar smell of weed, but does this indicate a relation? We had this question and decided to dig in a bit further. Well, as it turns out, Humulus lupulus (hops) and Cannabis sativa (marijuana) both have a similar oil makeup, which is the reason for […]
Potential Infection Points
The Taste of Infection “What does an infection taste like?” This question is at the crux of why most home brewers automatically throw out the notion that an infection has happened to them. And it’s due to the fact that there is no solid answer to that question. Tart. Sulfury. Buttery. All these off-flavors have been […]