Category Archives: beer

The Craft of Cider Making

Posted on November 11, 2015 by alex

America’s cider makers are experiencing a revival akin to the craft-beer revolution: invoking old-world, traditional styles while also innovating and experimenting. Hard cider is tapping into the beer and wine markets as well as the gluten-free trend, and it is … Continue reading →

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How to Harvest and Culture Commercial Yeast for Homebrewers

Posted on November 3, 2015 by alex

Beer does not make itself properly by itself. It takes an element of mystery and of things that no one can understand. – Fritz Maytag, Anchor Brewing Co. As a homebrewer, I remember first learning just how critical yeast is to … Continue reading →

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Enzymes in Beer: What’s Happening In the Mash

Posted on November 1, 2015 by alex

As homebrewers, we’re usually never satisfied until we know how things work. We constantly ask why and how something is done until we understand the basic concept. When you start brewing all-grain, you hit a certain temperature to hit a … Continue reading →

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Don’t Fear the Foam

Posted on October 27, 2015 by alex

Star San is the sanitizer par excellence for pro brewers and hobbyists alike. It’s safe, it’s convenient, and it’s effective. It’s so ubiquitous, though, that even longtime brewers may not pay it a second thought. But paying a second thought … Continue reading →

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Drinking Beer Slows Down Alzheimer’s And Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on October 27, 2015 by alex

Drinking beer could prevent the damage of the brain cells, says a research carried out by Jianguo Fang and his colleagues of Lanzhou University’s school of chemistry. Drinking liquor is not a much appreciated practice in the past but partying … Continue reading →

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The Secrets to Better Beer Foam

Posted on October 10, 2015 by alex

There’s nothing like the look of a creamy head on a homebrewed stout or the lacing on a glass after finishing a Belgian ale.  But beer foam isn’t just about appearance. The bubbles from your beer impact carbonation level, aroma, flavor and body. … Continue reading →

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Back Sweetening Hard Cider

Posted on October 5, 2015 by alex

Cider is hot! And I don’t mean the winter-time beverage of heated apple juice with cinnamon in it. No, the cider we are discussing here is that moderately alcoholic beverage also known as hard cider to distinguish it from the … Continue reading →

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Olive Oil Instead of Aeration for Beer Brewing

Posted on September 14, 2015 by alex

Aerating your wort with oxygen after the boil to promote a healthy fermentation is standard practice in the brewing industry. However, over the last ten years a small group of commercial and home brewers have been pioneering an alternative – … Continue reading →

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Brewing Water Primer: Using BeerSmith and Bru’n Water

Posted on September 14, 2015 by alex

After my recent post on how I manipulate my brewing liquor, I received a few requests asking for a more detailed look at how I calculate mineral additions. The following video is way longer than I intended, I apologize if … Continue reading →

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Want to lose weight? Drink beer, not diet soda

Posted on September 10, 2015 by alex

For awhile, many of us have believed the trick to losing weight is simple: consume less calories. However, Tim Spector, a genetics professor at King’s College London, has informed us that myth is just that – a myth. He debunks … Continue reading →

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