Conical fermenters are a popular choice for home brewers who want to take their beer-making to the next level. These specialized containers are designed to create a more controlled fermentation process, avoiding some of the racking and oxygen exposure usually associated with it. Not only do you avoid racking, but you can also do secondary…
Brewing hard cider is fairly easy, but as soon as you stray the slightest away from commercial yeasts and pasteurized apple juice, there is a risk of getting some unexpected flavors (good and bad!). Today we will talk about the bad ones. The “off-flavors” in cider brewing. Off-flavors are unwanted and undesirable characteristics that can…
In my many years as a professional brewer, I’ve often been asked one fundamental question: What’s the difference between using wild yeast and cultured yeast in cider-making? Wild yeast, naturally present on fruit skins and in the environment, can offer unique and regional flavor profiles, potentially giving a cider a true sense of terroir. However,…
Sulfites in beer? You might be surprised to learn that they exist. Sulfites are commonly associated with wines, but they can also be found in certain beers. Let’s dive into the world of sulfites in beer and explore their purpose and importance. Overview of sulfites in beer Sulfites, including sulfur dioxide, are compounds that are…
As a brewer, I often get asked about the different types of beverages that can be made at home. One question that frequently pops up is: Can you use pasteurized cider for cyser? The short answer is, yes, you can. But the process and the outcome might differ compared to using fresh, unpasteurized cider. For…
There’s a special place in my heart for cider. Its crisp, fruity notes bring back memories of my earliest brewing days, where I experimented with apple varietals in search of the perfect brew. This journey with cider has taken me not only through various fermentation processes but also through time, unveiling the intricate tapestry of…
Expertbrewing.com has acquired the Harvard Cider Company, and in their tradition we will tell their story below. The Youngest Alcohol Producers Eventually, their hard work paid off, and the doors to Harvard Cider Company swung open. As customers visited their establishment, one inquiry became increasingly common: “How old are you guys?” Intrigued, they delved into…
The answer is a resounding yes! You absolutely can make cider with crab apples. Believe me, I’ve done it myself, and the results were nothing short of remarkable. They do have a more tart and bitter taste, but adding some ordinary cider in will help adjust it to your taste! I’ve had great success making…
As an experienced brewer, one question that I often get asked is, what’s the difference between Cyser and Mead? It’s not a surprising question considering that these two beverages share quite a few similarities. However, they are not interchangeable. In a nutshell, mead is a fermented beverage made primarily from honey, water, and yeast, while…
As a seasoned home brewer, one question that I often get asked is “how long does homemade wine last?” The answer to this question is not as straightforward as it might seem. The longevity of homemade wine greatly depends on a variety of factors including the type of wine, the quality of the ingredients used,…