November 2015
Project
Build A Counterflow Chiller with Thermometer
Upgrade your wort chiller with this DIY for a counterflow chiller with a built-in thermometer.
Article
Organized C.H.A.O.S.
A homebrew club in Chicago has created a “maker” space for brewing beer — a dedicated brewhouse.
Recipe
Red X Altbier
There is a yearly Chicago Homebrew Club Competition sponsored by Bell’s Brewing called Hoptacular and this took second place in 2013, but still a C.H.A.O.S. club favorite and re-brewed several times. We have done lightly rested Bourbon Barrel versions as well.
Recipe
C.H.A.O.S. County Brand Stout
Since our club are located one mile from ground zero of where all Bourbon County Brand Stout is produced (Goose Island’s Fulton & Wood Brewery, http://www.gooseisland.com/fulton-wood.html) it is only natural that we have a homebrew recipe of our own. This recipe has been tweaked over the last four years to produce phenomenal results . . . as long as O.G. is achieved!
Article
Brewpubs Not Bottles
Some of the best beers in the world can only be had on draft. We clone four US brewpub-only beers.
Recipe
Barren Hill Tavern & Brewery Justa Porter clone
Barren Hill Tavern & Brewery Justa Porter clone Erin Wallace re-opened one of the oldest taverns in the United States two years ago, as a logical next step from her successes running
Recipe
Wrecking Bar Brewpub Boomslang IPA clone
A potent hop driven American IPA with the help of Citra®, Simcoe® and Nelson Sauvin at the driver’s wheel.
Article
Micro Maltsters Roundtable
If you want to make a truly local beer, try sourcing locally-made malt. Four pros discuss craft malting.
Recipe
Stockholm Syndrome Baltic Porter
One style that’s making a comeback here in the United States is Baltic porter. Although it can be brewed as a lager, many breweries have adapted to fermenting with ale yeast, which works well for this style.
Recipe
Doppelbockinator
While the Maibock whistles a sweeter, simple song, doppelbock comes at you full force. There’s no holding back malt flavor, aroma and complexity with this style. Recipe courtesy of Aaron Hyde.
Article
Why Malt Matters – The Basics on the Backbone of Beer
Is the malt you select the most important decision you make when formulating a beer recipe or purchasing homebrew ingredients? It might not be, but I’d wager a bet you’re more worried
Article
50 Years of Maris Otter
Many barley varieties suitable for malting live short lives, forgotten when something new comes along. Not so for Maris Otter, which celebrated it’s 50th anniversary in 2015. Learn more about what makes this malt so special to brewers and find 4 classic British recipes to brew with Maris Otter malt.
Article
A Homebrewing Community
Homebrew clubs may not be what you expect — they are all about community and camaraderie, and, sure, talking and tasting beer too.
Article
Nitrogen and Stout Faucets
Is there a more mesmerizing sight than beer cascading through the rising bubbles of a nitrogen pour? Understand the science behind nitrogen beers and stout faucets.
Article
Calculating Brewhouse Efficiency
It’s important to understand and account for your own brewhouse efficiency when using other people’s homebrew recipes. Terry Foster explains how to calculate it.
Article
Brett Beer – American Wild Ale
Brett beer is one of the three styles in the new American wild ale category of the 2015 Beer Judge Certification Program style guide and is wide open to interpretation.
Recipe
Sebastian God Damn
A 100% Brett fermented beer recipe from Michael Tonsmieire. Brett beer is one of the three styles in the new American wild ale category of the 2015 Beer Judge Certification Program style guide and is wide open to interpretation.
Article
Make Your Own Cheese At Home: Tips From the Pros
If you can brew beer at home, then you can make cheese. Get advice from three cheesemakers on how to get started.
Article
Performing Diacetyl Rests and Scaling Up Recipes: Mr. Wizard
Q I’ve seen the importance of diacetyl rests mentioned dozens of times. the description always states to increase fermentation temperatures to the 65–68 °F (18–20 °C) range for 24–48 hours or so.
Article
Milwaukee Brewing Co.’s Louie’s Demise Ale: Replicator
Dear Replicator, My neighbor and brewing buddy, David Toomes, was visiting relatives in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin a couple of months ago. He texted me to say he had found a beer he just
Recipe
Milwaukee Brewing Co.’s Louie’s Demise Ale clone
A traditional German altbier. Owner Jim McCabe’s goal was to have a malt-forward, but well-balanced beer with complex flavors. The blend of Munich, honey, and caramel malts accomplishes this nicely and add earthy and caramel notes.
Article
Hop Stands
Learn the basics of post-boil hopping additions, a technique many brewers will call either a hop stand or whirlpool hopping.
Recipe
Grumpy Troll Brew Pub: Belgian IPA clone
This is a big bear that rings up close to 10% ABV. Belgian characteristics from the yeast blend well with aromatic Pacific Northwest hops for a complex, yet satisfyingly drinkable brew.
Recipe
Iron Hill Brewery: Bridge Street Bock clone
This beer won a bronze medal at the 2014 World Beer Cup. Brewer Tim Stumpf notes that he likes to add a sprinkle of calcium chloride to promote round, smooth maltiness in this beer.
Mr. Wizard
Combating Astringency
All is not lost when a batch of beer is spotted that may eventually be ascribed with the scarlet letter “A” for astringency. The key with this statement is that the beer
Mr. Wizard
Scaling Up Recipes
The hard part about answering this question involves determining IBUs in a beer. For the moment, let’s ignore the elephant in the room and pretend that that is not so difficult for
Mr. Wizard
Easy Aeration
The low-cost method I described uses a tee where the wort flows horizontally into the center branch of the tee and down from the bottom leg. As liquid flows through the tee,
Mr. Wizard
Diacetyl Rests
Perform a diacetyl rest, build a simple aeration device, and convert recipes to larger batch sizes.
Article
Homebrew Brined Turkey
Put more homebrew on your holiday table by preparing your Thanksgiving turkey with homemade beer.
Recipe
Elixir of Life
An Olde Ale was the first C.H.A.O.S. all-club barrel project and a recipe that is suitable for aging in any type of spirit barrel, but also tasty on its own.
