Category: All Articles

  • My Favorite English Pale Ale Recipe!

    My Favorite English Pale Ale Recipe!

    Welcome to another exciting beer recipe post! Today, we will be diving into the world of English Pale Ales, a classic beer style with a rich history and distinctive characteristics. Whether you are a seasoned brewer or just starting out, this recipe will guide you through the process of creating a delicious English Pale Ale…

  • My Favorite Chocolate Stout Recipe!

    My Favorite Chocolate Stout Recipe!

    Today, we’ll delve into the world of Chocolate Stout. This rich and decadent beer style has a fascinating history and unique characteristics that make it a favorite among beer enthusiasts. Stout has its roots in the 18th century London, where it was originally known as “stout porter.” It quickly gained popularity due to its robust…

  • 5 Best Conical Fermenters for Home Brewers: Our Top Picks

    5 Best Conical Fermenters for Home Brewers: Our Top Picks

    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…

  • Off-Flavors in Cider Brewing And How To Avoid Them!

    Off-Flavors in Cider Brewing And How To Avoid Them!

    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…

  • Wild Yeast vs. Cultured Yeast: Pros And Cons in Cider Production

    Wild Yeast vs. Cultured Yeast: Pros And Cons in Cider Production

    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,…

  • Cyser Vs Mead?

    Cyser Vs Mead?

    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…

  • Can You Use Pasteurized Cider For Cyser?

    Can You Use Pasteurized Cider For Cyser?

    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…

  • Can You Make Cider With Crab Apples?

    Can You Make Cider With Crab Apples?

    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…

  • Sulfites in Beer – A Deep Dive!

    Sulfites in Beer – A Deep Dive!

    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…

  • Good Beers To Ferment At High Temperatures?

    Good Beers To Ferment At High Temperatures?

    The answer lies in the selection of yeast strains and beer styles that are tolerant to higher fermentation temperatures. From my personal experience, certain styles of beer, such as Saisons and Belgian Ales, along with specific yeast strains like, Norwegian Kveik, Brettanomyces and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus, are suitable for fermenting at higher temperatures. Ales…