Date: July-August 2021
Brewing with the Wizard
FREEAshton Lewis has been giving homebrewers advice about brewing on their own systems for 26 years in the “Help Me, Mr. Wizard” column. Now, he lets readers in on the thought process behind his own newly designed homebrewing system where simplicity meets creativity.
Making Sausage at Home
Digital and Plus Members OnlyWhat better pairing is there in the summer than a cold beer and a hot sausage? You already make your own beer, why not make your own sausage too? We introduce you to what may become your second favorite hobby, with recipes for beer brats and Italian sausage.
Choosing Tubes and Hoses
Digital and Plus Members OnlyPipes, tubes, hoses . . . there is a lot of confusion around these products, which may have to do with the vast amount of options that are laid in front of us. And, no, they are not all created equal. Explore the options out there so you can make sure your homebrewery is properly equipped with the right tubing.
Italian Pils
Digital and Plus Members OnlyCzech and German Pilsners get most of the attention, but another style of Pilsner — the Italian Pils — was developed in Milan 25 years ago and has become more and more popular worldwide due to its increased hop bouquet. Learn the history and brewing techniques for this wonderful summer style.
Birrificio Italiano’s Tipopils (1996) clone
FREEBirrificio Italiano’s Tipopils (1996) clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.049 FG = 1.010 SRM = 4 IBU = 32 ABV = 5.2% This is the original recipe brewed by Agostino Arioli in
Birra Venezia
FREEBirra Venezia (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.049 FG = 1.010 ABV = 5.2% SRM = 5 IBU = 32 This Italian Pilsner has an aroma of citrusy lemon balm, herbaceous bergamot, and
Birra Mediterranea
Digital and Plus Members OnlyBirra Mediterranea (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.049 FG = 1.013 SRM = 3 IBU = 40 ABV = 4.7% This Italian Pilsner was first brewed in 2018 to introduce the new Eraclea malt at the Weyermann facility in Bamberg, Germany. Ingredients8.8 lbs. (4 kg) Eraclea Pilsner malt 1 lb. (450 g) Carafoam® malt0.3 lb. (136 g)
Homemade Glycol Chiller
Digital and Plus Members OnlyIf you have drooled over a glycol chilling system wishing you could afford one; drool no longer. Here is a build that is drool-worthy — at an affordable price.
More Quick Tips: Making brew day and beyond efficient
Digital and Plus Members OnlyAnyone who has brewed more than a few batches of beer will often fall into certain routines, but not all of them are practical. Here are some more “quick tips” to make sure that you are maximizing your brew day experience.
Gordon Strong’s German Helles Exportbier
Digital and Plus Members OnlyThis beer is bolder than your typical lawnmower beer, but it is meant to reward a hard day’s work. So go cross something off your to-do list, then grab a cold one, like life was meant to be.
Helles Exportbier: Dortmunder export, for those of you who aren’t German
Digital and Plus Members OnlyHere in the U.S., it is often known as Dortmunder export beer, but in Germany a better name is helles exportbier. Learn the historical context for the style as well as possible techniques and ingredients to brew a classic interpretation.
Troubleshooting A Recipe
Digital and Plus Members OnlyNice description of the character in your beer you don’t like. Before getting into an answer, I want to comment on how important good descriptions are when attempting to problem solve. Aromas and flavors are very often challenging to describe because we don’t perceive flavor and aroma as individual signals like an analytical instrument with