Here I write about beer brewing and especially the niche types such as sour beers.
I sometimes hear people asking about the differences between ale and mead. As a brewer, this hurts my heart a little, but while writing this post I might have understood why people confuse them. Both are ancient drinks with rich histories, but they’re very different in flavor, ingredients and production. So what separates these two…
Ah, Krausen, one of the most fascinating and dynamic stages in the brewing process! As an experienced brewer, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the beauty and complexity of Krausen many times. It’s a phase that occurs during fermentation and holds great significance in determining the quality and character of the final beer. Krausen is…
Yes, Guinness is carbonated but also “nitrogenated”. However, the carbonation in Guinness is quite different from most other beers. While most beers are carbonated with carbon dioxide (CO2), Guinness is “carbonated” with a mixture of CO2 and nitrogen gas (N2), which is what gives it its famous creamy texture and cascading bubbles. In this blog…
Are you a cider drinker looking to try something new? While cider may be your go-to beverage of choice, there are several beers out there that can offer a similar taste experience. From Belgian Witbiers to Saisons, we will guide you through the diverse range of beers that offer that familiar dryness and light spice…
Astringency is an undesirable quality in beer that can be described as a dry, puckering sensation on the palate, similar to the feeling you get when you drink over-steeped tea or bite into an underripe fruit. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the presence of tannins, polyphenols, and other compounds…
If you’re a fan of Sierra Nevada’s Hazy Little Thing IPA, you’re probably always on the lookout for other beers that share its signature hazy, juicy character. In this post, we’ll explore five alternatives to Hazy Little Thing that are sure to please your palate. We’ll dive into the origins and brewing methods behind each…
One of the most common off-flavors in beer is the presence of tannins. Tannins are naturally occurring compounds found in many plants, including hops and grains used in brewing. They have a distinct astringent, mouth-drying taste that can be perceived as a flaw in beer. So, how can you avoid tannins in beer? The key…
Beer is carbonated because the carbonation adds fizziness, enhances flavors, and improves mouthfeel. This reaction occurs when carbon dioxide (CO2) gas is dissolved into the beer, either naturally through fermentation or artificially by forced carbonation. The topic of carbonation in beer is fascinating, and as an experienced brewer, I’ve seen firsthand how the right level…
Barley wine is a strong and complex beer style that has a rich history and a wide range of flavors. It is a beer that is often aged and savored, like a fine wine. Many beer enthusiasts consider barley wine to be the pinnacle of brewing art. In this blog post, I will dive deep…
What do tannins in beer taste like? Tannins are a group of naturally occurring compounds found in plants, seeds, bark, wood, and fruit skins that can impart astringent and bitter flavors to beer. In this blog post, we’ll explore the taste of tannins in beer, their sources, how they affect the brewing process, and how…