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The beers of Russian River Brewing Co. have long been some of the most hyped — playing a big role in beginning the trend of beer trading by aficionados online and waiting in lines for hours for the opportunity to buy a small allotment of a special release — and most recognized in the world’s largest beer competitions. Almost three decades since opening, they’re still as popular as ever before. Read all about them in this issue, plus get to know the effects of aged hops on beer quality, learn some dip hopping techniques, and check out our 2024 Homebrew Label Contest winners.
Russian River Brewing Co.’s beers have been some of the most sought-after from the time Vinnie Cilurzo was brewing them in their downtown Santa Rosa, California, brewpub. The brewing operation has grown, but the quality, dedication, and appeal hasn’t wavered. Vinnie opened up the brewery (and recipe books) for us to share his story, brewing advice, and five clone recipes with readers.
Post-harvest processing and packaging of hops has changed dramatically over the years to significantly reduce the effects of oxygen and temperature on hop acid degradation during storage; however, it still takes many months to process a lot of the hops on the market. We do not fully understand the changes that these hops undergo, yet we do know that hop variety seems to play a role in how hops age and that storage conditions will affect how quickly hops change. Interestingly, data tells us that moderately aged hops can positively impact beer aroma.
We received hundreds of submissions for our 29th Annual Homebrew Label Contest and are happy to reveal the winning labels.
Deviant Wolfe Brewing Co. in Sanford, Florida, brews for their hot climate — meaning lots of crisp lagers and refreshing fruited kettle sours. They also utilize kveik yeast in a hazy IPA that caught the attention of a reader. Lucky for us, they were happy to share the recipe.
The Wizard explains why some recipes call for yeast nutrients and others don’t — but why you should consider using it more often than not. Plus, tips to stop beer from oxidizing when dry hopping, and the latest on the no/low-alcohol beer trend.
Due to legal and practical constraints, eisbock is one of the few beer styles that is more geared for homebrewers than pros. The secret is freeze concentration, transforming the beer from one style into another.
Dip hopping maximizes good aromas while suppressing off-aromas. Learn how to do this technique at a homebrew scale to get the most from your hops.
As an agricultural product, barley from crop-to-crop, maltster-to-maltster, or location-to-location varies. If you want to be precise in your brewing, understanding the information that comes with a malt’s certificate of analysis is a big step in that direction.
A homebrewer reminisces about how he started in the hobby 15 years ago and the man he credits for teaching and inspiring him. As he’d later find out, that man, Byron Burch, was a legend in homebrewing circles.
“My first version of Blind Pig IPA was in 1994 at my very first brewery, Blind Pig Brewing Company, which was located in Temecula, California. This recipe originated from my homebrew days starting in 1989. Years later after Natalie and I took over Russian River Brewing Company from my former employer, Korbel Champagne Cellars, we were able to obtain the trademark for Blind Pig IPA so we brought her back to life.” – Vinnie Cilurzo
We first made Pliny the Elder in 1999, initially for a Double IPA festival at The Bistro in beautiful downtown Hayward, California. Previous to that, in 1994 I had made what is now considered to be the first modern double IPA in recent brewing history. So making a big, over-the-top IPA was not something new to me. In 2004, after Natalie and I took over Russian River Brewing Company . . . Pliny the Elder became a year-round beer and quickly became our top selling beer, which it still is today. – Vinnie Cilurzo
Because STS is dry hopped using European-type hops, it would technically be classified as an Italian-style Pilsner. However, if you read the side label on the STS Pils can, it says it is a Keller-style Pilsner as we treat it as an unfiltered beer, leaving a little yeast and haze behind. – Vinnie Cilurzo
As hazy IPAs were gaining popularity, and before Russian River had brewed Mind Circus, our hazy IPA, I wanted to see if I could brew a beer that had all the juicy notes of a hazy IPA, but that was clear to the look. So Happy Hops became what I jokingly called our, “not so hazy, hazy IPA.” It is more of a progressive/modern IPA in that it has a lower bitterness compared to our other IPAs, but it carries lots of rich, juicy hop notes due to backloading the whirlpool with a sizable hop addition as well as a good size dry hop charge. – Vinnie Cilurzo
Consecration is a dark ale that is initially fermented with Belgian Abbey Ale yeast. After the beer is done fermenting and all the primary yeast is removed, the beer goes into barrels (this homebrew version calls for oak chips, for ease) with dried currants and Brettanomyces yeast initially. After 2–3 months, the bacteria is added. All of this is left to age in used Cabernet Sauvignon wine barrels until it is ready to rack off the fruit and be packaged. – Vinnie Cilurzo
This West Coast Pilsner is meant to showcase the twin powers of the all-around craft hop – Citra – and the power of dip hopping. This is a crisp, quick pilsner with a zippy hop presence that leans into the more tropical citrus and pineapple notes of Citra. Don’t have the ability to lager? Choose your favorite neutral ale yeast and ferment as cool as you can. It won’t be as “lager polished” but it will still be tasty!
This hazy IPA is a staple in Deviant Wolfe’s lineup that relies on kveik yeast for a quick, warm fermentation. There are significant hops additions, all of which come post-boil.
The secret of eisbock is the freeze concentration, transforming the beer from one style into another.
This holiday season give the gift of beer! Check out all of the great beer gear in our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for gift ideas for friends and family or make your own homebrew holiday wishlist…
