As an experienced brewer, I have often been asked the question, how long does it take to chill beer in a fridge? The answer is not as simple as it may seem, as it depends on a variety of factors such as the starting temperature of the beer, the size and type of the beer…
When it comes to the art of winemaking, there are many steps and techniques that are often debated among vintners. One of these is the process of secondary fermentation. Is secondary fermentation necessary for wine? Well, it depends. Not all wines require secondary fermentation, but it can be a crucial step for certain styles and…
The question “how long can you keep beer in a secondary fermenter?” is one that every home brewer will face at some point in their brewing journey. It’s a question I’ve grappled with throughout my own brewing experience, and the answer is both simple and complex. In general, you can keep beer in a secondary…
Mead, the ancient alcoholic beverage made from fermented honey, holds a special place in the hearts of many brewers. If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent countless hours and numerous batches perfecting your recipe, enjoying the sweet, complex flavors of mead. But have you ever wondered, “What do you get if you distill mead?“ The…
Hello fellow mead enthusiasts! Racking your mead is an important step in the mead brewing process that can significantly impact the quality of your final product. It’s a common question among both newbies and seasoned brewers – so when is the right time to rack your mead? The best time to rack your mead is…
Mead, the world’s oldest known alcoholic beverage, is made by fermenting honey with water and occasionally adding fruits, spices, grains, or hops. Despite its ancient roots, it can be a challenging drink to perfect, particularly when it comes to stabilization. What does it mean to stabilize mead? Mead stabilization is the process of halting fermentation…
Mead has been a cherished beverage for thousands of years, enjoyed by ancient civilizations and modern societies alike. As avid mead home brewer, I’ve been fascinated by the alchemy-like process of turning honey, water, and yeast into a delicious, intoxicating libation. One of the questions I often get from budding mead makers is: When do…
Brandy, a spirit traditionally made by distilling wine, is a beloved drink worldwide. But what if I told you that you could make brandy without the complex, expensive process of distillation? Yes, it is possible to make something close to brandy without heat distilling. You can approximate real brandy by adding neutral already distilled spirits…
As a seasoned brewer, I have had my fair share of challenges and triumphs when it comes to crafting the perfect cider. One of the most common problems I encountered when I started out, and a question that I often get from fellow brewers, is: Why did my cider fermentation suddenly stop? There are several…
Cider is a popular drink across the globe, but few places have as rich an association with the beverage as Ireland. So, what is Irish cider? Simply put, Irish cider, also known as hard cider, is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented apple juice after Irish traditions. It’s a drink steeped in history and tradition,…