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,…
As a professional brewer and microbiologist, I’ve spent countless hours studying, researching, and of course, enjoying drinks of all kinds. Over the years, I’ve heard the question, “How long should I leave this drink in the freezer?” more times than I can count. The short answer? Most drinks take about 30 minutes to an hour…
As a professional brewer and microbiologist, I’ve spent years studying and savoring various wines. My passion doesn’t just stop at understanding the microscopic intricacies of fermentation; it delves deep into the sensory experiences that each wine brings. Today, we’re journeying into the world of port wines, specifically examining the differences between Tawny and Ruby ports.…
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…
If you’ve recently taken up homebrewing, one of the biggest questions you’ll likely have is, “how do I know if my homebrew is fermenting?” This is a critical question because fermentation is the process that turns your mixture of water, malt, hops, and yeast into a delightful beer. The main sign that a homebrew (whether…
Making mead is a grand and ancient tradition, a craft that involves a delicate balance of ingredients, temperatures, and time. But how can you tell if your mead has gone bad? In this post, we will discuss the signs that your mead may not be fit for consumption, focusing on the smell, looks, taste and…
Yes, wine does go bad if left in a hot car. The main reason is that heat can cause the wine to age prematurely, which negatively affects its taste and quality. In this blog post, I will delve into the specifics of why this happens, how you can prevent it, and what you can do…
The world of brewing is indeed a vast one, with a myriad of beverages to explore and enjoy. Among the many fermented drinks you might come across, two that often cause confusion are cyser and cider. The main question is: What’s the difference between cyser and cider? In this blog post, we shall delve into…