Mr. Wizard
Extract varieties for yeast starters
This question asks for opinions rather than any real facts. I can do that! Strictly speaking, any wort with a gravity ranging from 1.040 to 1.052 works well in starters with respect
Steeping vs mashing
Mashing and steeping are very similar processes at first glance. Both involve soaking crushed grains in hot water. However, if you look more closely, there are some sharp contrasts between the two
Cleaning a soda keg
Ah, the old birch-beer beer. This reminds me of a time when I screwed up a beer experiment with the remnants of a root beer experiment. We had three groups in our
Brewpots made from other materials than stainless-steel
A pot really only needs to satisfy a few simple requirements to become a qualified brew pot. For starters, it ought not to leak — a leaky kettle is a problem. A
Pectic enzyme in fruit beer recipes
This question reminds me of one of the goofiest names I ever gave a batch of beer — Strawberry Fields For Alever. It was a wheat beer with strawberries added after primary
Taking original gravity readings
This question brings up some issues that I have experienced over the years and I have been somewhat surprised by my observations. I usually collect a wort sample from a sample valve
Silicone hosing lifespan
The hoses used in homebrewing are similar to the hoses used in beverage and food-processing plants, except the industrial-grade hoses are reinforced to increase their pressure rating and usually covered by a
Storing hop pellets
This is a good question with a very straightforward answer — storing hops at freezer temperatures does extend their life and will not damage the hops. How can I be so definitive,
Hot-side aeration
Re-using yeast, storing hops and sanitizing bottles
Brewing with softened water?
Water is said to possess “hardness” when it contains ions of calcium and/or magnesium. I have never really understood the origins of this term, since hard water feels as soft as, well,
Bottling nitrogen-charged beer
Anything is possible, Karl, and yes, you can bottle beer that has been “gassed” with a blend of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. Just use your counter-pressure bottle filler as you normally would.
dry hopping vs using a hopback?
Most brewing techniques are touted by a long list of advantages. Dry-hopping, which means adding compressed hop cones or hop pellets to beer or fermenting beer, can be “sold” by its ability
