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September 2022

In this issue, how to design your own beer recipes. Plus, Lager Love: Marzen, Festbier, and Vienna Lager, and Fast Brews.

Interiors of Ochsenbraterei tent at the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany on October 2, 2013. Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival.
Thousands of people from across the world flock to Munich, Germany to take part in the Oktoberfest celebration each year. While Märzen used to be served by breweries at Oktoberfest, nowadays festbier is the style of choice served by the liter.

In this issue

  • article

    Peak Performance: Brewing on top of Mt. Whitney

    To celebrate their 25th anniversary, two partners from MoreBeer! climbed and brewed beer at the highest point in the continental U.S. — Mt. Whitney, California. Go behind the scenes of their planning and adventure

  • article

    Cellar Considerations: Planning and care

    Once your brewhouse sizing is determined, the next big decision a brewery-in-planning needs to figure out is their cellar capacity. Take a peek down this rabbit hole as well as considerations for expansion

  • article

    Apples to Apples! New cider adventures

    Making hard cider can be an exciting new venture for a homebrewer, but after a few seasons some may find themselves stuck in a cidermaking rut. Get pointers on taking this year’s harvest in a different direction.

  • Thurs., June 1 Cidermaking at Cornell University's Teaching Orchard
    recipe

    Hello World (Graf)

    A graf can represent many different expressions of more or less apple and malt flavor with a little hops

  • recipe

    The Olde Country (New England-style Cider)

    If a little creative inspiration is what you are looking for, look no further than the New England-style cider. And no, that doesn’t just mean it’s a hazy.

  • recipe

    Baked Apples (New England-style Cider)

    If a little creative inspiration is what you are looking for, look no further than the New England-style cider. And no, that doesn’t just mean it’s a hazy.

  • article

    Thinking Brew-In-A-Bag: Helpful tips for this style of brewing

    The popularity of brew-in-a-bag type brewing systems has exploded over the last five years. Denny and Drew look at some factors to make the most of your brew day when using this style of system.

  • recipe

    Gordon Strong’s Vienna Lager

    Your goal here is a smooth, standard-strength malty beer with enough hop bitterness to match the malt. It should not be heavy on the palate or sweet in the finish

  • article

    Vienna Lager: Brew me, Amadeus

    Some of the most well-known classical music was written and performed in Vienna and it is also home to one of the classic lagers of the world, the Vienna lager. Take a tour of its history and what it takes to craft your own.

  • article

    Eat Your (Fermented) Veggies

    We all love fermented beverages, but fermented foods are another hobby that can bring a lot of enjoyment (and rewarding deliciousness when done). As homebrewers, we likely have the equipment and most of the knowledge to jump right in.

  • recipe

    Fermented French Fries

  • recipe

    Fermented Hot Sauce 

  • recipe

    Sauerkraut

  • article

    Hard Cider Variations: Tips from the Pros

    Fall is coming and apples will soon be aplenty! Three pros share advice for three different types of ciders (fruited, spiced, and hopped).

  • Interiors of Ochsenbraterei tent at the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany on October 2, 2013. Oktoberfest is the world's largest beer festival.
    article

    Germany’s Beers of Autumn

    Fall in Germany means Märzen and festbier! Learn about the history and differences of these styles, plus get tips straight from some of the greatest brewers on how they create their examples.

  • recipe

    Festbier Is the Best Bier

    A traditional festbier to be enjoyed by the liter during Oktoberfest or any fall festivities.

  • article

    Low-Alcohol Beer Production, Gravity Drops and the Effects of a Cold-Water Extraction

    Low- and no-alcohol commercial beer production has seen a noticeable uptick in recent years, especially in the craft beer world. Mr. Wizard explains how to produce one in your homebrewery. Also, an unexplained drop in gravity and re-using cold-mashed grains.

  • Orange question mark over a beer Mr. Wizard logo.
    mr-wizard

    The Effects of Cold-Water Extraction

  • recipe

    Monks’ Fortitude Märzen

    Monks’ Fortitude is an homage to the malty Märzens of Franconia.

  • Orange question mark over a beer Mr. Wizard logo.
    mr-wizard

    An Unexpected Drop in Gravity

  • article

    The Art & Science of Recipe Design

    By combining the left side of the brain (mechanical and methodical approach) and right side (artistic expression) every homebrewer has the ability to create their own homebrew recipes. Embrace both sides and get to work designing your next beer.

  • article

    Recovering from Brew Day Mishaps

    Even experienced homebrewers occasionally forget a step, take their eye off of things, or miscalculate additions. Let’s explore what can be done to get your brew day back on track when this happens.

  • Orange question mark over a beer Mr. Wizard logo.
    mr-wizard

    Ways to Brew Low-Alcohol and Non-Alcohol Beers

  • recipe

    New Realm Brewing Company’s English Porter Clone

    A deeper-colored London porter made from all English ingredients based in the tradition of the great English classics.

  • article

    New Realm Brewing Co.

    London porter was first referenced in writing 300 years ago and a well-brewed rendition is a timeless classic. Enter New Realm Brewing and their current take on this treasured style.

  • article

    The Basics of Sour Beer

    Learn the basics of the various ways brewers in this era can produce sour beers, from traditional to modern.