March-April 2020
Article
Hard Seltzer Made Easy
Hard seltzer has become the fastest growing segment of the brewing industry. Learn two unique ways homebrewers can make these light beverages at home.
Article
Water Adjustments: Tips from the Pros
Just because water is safe to drink doesn’t mean it is ideal for making great beer. Changing the chemistry of water is the first step great brewers take when creating a recipe,
Article
Brewing for Competition
To some, homebrew competitions are overwhelming. To others they are a waste of good beer. But to us, they are serious business. The ability to brew up the perfect beer that nails
Article
DIY Electric Brewing
The benefits of electric brewing are plenty, but there is also a steep learning curve if you plan to build your own electric system. Before you jump into your next big DIY, take the time to plan everything out using our advice. The time (and money) you save from doing it correctly the first time will pay off!
Article
Homebrew Glycol System Comparison
Everyone who brews beer knows that fermentation temperature control is one of the most critical aspects to consistent, flawless beer. When the fermentation temperature gets too warm, off flavors are sure to
Article
Brewing with Reverse Osmosis Water
You can’t trust water: Even a straight stick turns crooked in it.” – W.C. Fields. Over the years, I’ve probably had more discussions, debates, and arguments with other brewers over water than
Recipe
Hard Seltzer
Hard seltzer 5.25 gallons/20 L OG = ~1.031 FG = ~1.000 ABV = ~ 5% Neutral Base Ingredients 21 L reverse osmosis (RO) or distilled water 4.5 g gypsum (adjusts calcium concentration
Article
Drop and Give Me Ten . . . Gallons
Not many people think about working out while homebrewing . . . but they should. Think about all the downtime that many homebrewers have on brew day. Get pointers on mixing in some exercises to your brewing routine.
Project
The WashAll System: Not your everyday keg washer
Cleaning has always been one of the least favorite aspects of the homebrewer’s hobby. One reader decided to take matters into his own hands and create a cleaning system to make this chore a breeze. Say hello to the WashAll system.
Article
It’s Complicated: Understanding oxygen in brewing
Oxidation has negative connotations in all areas of brewing except one. Learn how oxygen finds its way into our beer and some of the keys to controlling it.
Article
Brewing Sugars: Finding your sugary zen
Adding sugar to beer has been a bit of a pariah in the brewing world thanks to homebrew lore of old. It’s time to set the record straight on this brewing adjunct and put it back in its rightful place in our brewing kettles and fermenters.
Article
German Weiss: Weissbier in the south, Hefeweizen in the north
Outside of American IPAs, German weissbiers seem to garner the most questions from our readers about brewing strategies. Gordon Strong gives some clear advice to those looking to brew this hazy style.
Recipe
Gordon Strong’s Weissbier
The deceptive thing about making weissbier is that the recipe often looks simple. However, there are a few control points and recipe choices that make a big difference: The grist, the mash schedule, the yeast, and the fermentation schedule.
Mr. Wizard
The Subtleties of Beer Gas
Years ago I was talking to a crusty dude named Larry who worked for a local beer distributor about the dirty draft beer tricks that can be played by competing distributors. Larry
Article
Curing Sparging Woes, Talking Oxidation, and the Subtleties of Beer Gas
Pumpkin beers have always posed a challenge, but one seasoned pumpkin beer brewer faces an unusually cantankerous mash. The Wiz has some mash suggestions and also describes the nuances of beer gas and re-addresses hop fade in beer.
Mr. Wizard
Talking Oxidation and Hop Fade
Follow-up to previous answer: I answered a question from Scot in Chicago, Illinois that was published in the November 2019 edition of BYO. His question was about hop fade and why some
Mr. Wizard
Curing Sparging Woes
The likely culprit to this problem, assuming that you have been using the same basic recipe over the last 7–8 years, is beta-glucan from the flaked oats. I am betting on this
Recipe
Knotted Root Brewing Company’s Perpetually Unimpressed clone
Perpetually Unimpressed is a double dry hopped, unfiltered double IPA whose flavors focus on one of the Head Brewer’s favorite hops: Nelson Sauvin from New Zealand.
Article
Knotted Root Brewing Company
Don’t you love good beer surprises? One reader had one such incident in little Nederland, Colorado thanks to a brewer at Knotted Root Brewing Co. who has roots that run close to
our reader’s.
Article
Malting vs. Mashing
These two terms, malting and mashing . . . what do they mean to you? The malting process is a fairly broad and generic term given to processing raw grains just as
Article
Drool Page
Featuring some of the latest drool worthy features found in our Homebrew Nation section of BYO. Homebrew Drool Setup — JR Renna • Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania Many of us have fun names