Date: November 2020
A Harmony of Fruit and Honey
Digital and Plus Members OnlyMeads containing fruit are a perpetually hot topic amongst home meadmakers as well as being a huge part of the commercial mead conversation. Taking what we know about making mead from just honey and then adding fruit doesn’t seem to be all that complex of a leap, but I assure you that the adventure of
Ancient Fire Mead & Cider’s 60% Of The Time clone
Digital and Plus Members OnlyAncient Fire Mead & Cider’s 60% Of The Time clone (5 gallons/19 L, bottled under cork)OG = 1.152 FG = 1.028ABV = 16% Ingredients16 lbs. (7.3 kg) wildflower honey2.5 gallons (9.5 L) 24 °Brix Black Muscat grapes2 Tbsp. pectic enzymeWater to 5 gallons (19 L)20 g Lalvin KV1116 yeast10 g Fermaid-K2.5 g di-ammonium phosphate (DAP)1.67 g potassium
Ancient Fire Mead & Cider’s Leaping Off The Ledge clone
Digital and Plus Members OnlyAncient Fire Mead & Cider’s Leaping Off The Ledge clone (5.25–5.5 gallons/20–21 L, keg carbonated)OG = 1.058 FG = 0.997 FG = 1.010 (after backsweetening)ABV = 7% Ingredients8 lbs. (3.6 kg) orange blossom honeyWater to 5 gallons (19 L)10 g SafAle US-05 yeast7.5 g Fermaid-K2.5 g di-ammonium phosphate (DAP)1.67 g potassium metabisulfite4 g potassium sorbate1.75 oz.
Ancient Fire Mead & Cider’s Granola Bar! clone
Digital and Plus Members OnlyAncient Fire Mead & Cider’s Granola Bar! clone (5 gallons/19 L, bottled under cork)OG = 1.131 FG = 1.020ABV = 14.5% Ingredients18 lbs. (8.2 kg) buckwheat honeyWater to 5 gallons (19 L)20 g Lalvin 71B-1122 yeast10 g Fermaid-K2.5 g di-ammonium phosphate (DAP)1.67 g potassium metabisulfite4 g potassium sorbate2.5 lbs. (1.1 kg) dried zante currants/corinthian raisins Step by
Doppel Your Pleasure, Doppel Your Fun
Digital and Plus Members OnlyDoppelbock is often deemed one of the harder beer styles to brew well. First off, it’s big and bready — the monks brewed it specifically for times of fasting to stave off hunger pangs. But it should not be cloying or overly sweet. This isn’t supposed to be a dessert beer; the finish is meant
The Rise of Brazilian Beer
Digital and Plus Members OnlyI think most people know that I enjoy traveling for beer, whether I’m judging, teaching, brewing, consulting, giving judging exams, or just being a beer tourist. I have greatly enjoyed most of the places I’ve visited over the years, but Brazil will always have a special place in my heart. From my first trip there nearly
Imperial Stout with Dried Mushrooms and Cumaru
Digital and Plus Members OnlyImperial Stout with Dried Mushrooms and Cumaru (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.097 FG = 1.017IBU = 61 SRM = 80 ABV = 10.6% Courtesy of Daniel Ropelato, this imperial stout incorporates dried mushrooms and the unique flavors of cumaru seeds (tonka beans). Ingredients10 lbs. (4.5 kg) pale ale malt3 lbs. (1.4 kg)
Alem Bier’s Muscat Brett Saison clone
FREEAlem Bier’s Muscat Brett Saison clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.056 FG = 1.007IBU = 13 SRM = 3 ABV = 6.8% This saison with Brettanomyces from Alem Bier
Cervejaria UNIKA’s Catharina Sour with Strawberry & Coffee clone
Digital and Plus Members OnlyCervejaria UNIKA’s Catharina Sour with Strawberry & Coffee clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.049 FG = 1.008IBU = 9 SRM = 3 ABV = 5.5% A unique take on Catharina sour with the addition of strawberries and coffee from UNIKA, in Rancho Queimado, Brazil. Ingredients6 lbs. (2.7 kg) Pilsner malt4 lbs. (1.8
Cervejaria Narcose’s Mora Mora clone
Digital and Plus Members OnlyCervejaria Narcose’s Mora Mora clone (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.055 FG = 1.013IBU = 20 SRM = 23 ABV = 5.5% Mora Mora is a dark lager with coconut and vanilla brewed by Cervejaria Narcose in Capão da Canoa, Brazil. Ingredients6 lbs. (2.7 kg) Pilsner malt4 lbs. (1.8 kg) flaked rice10
Pantry Brew
Digital and Plus Members OnlyFood security has been playing on my mind a lot in recent months. I don’t know about your local area, but stores here in the UK temporarily ran out of a number of key supplies before and during COVID-19 lockdowns, which meant that on occasion I had to get a bit creative when cooking dinner.
To Better Times (Farmhouse Table Beer)
Digital and Plus Members OnlyTo Better Times (Farmhouse Table Beer) (5 gallons/19 L, all-grain)OG = 1.035 FG = 1.007IBU = 10 SRM = 3 ABV = 3.7% This recipe was created with one purpose in mind — to make a refreshing, tasty beer out of very little. The hops used are an illustration, but really any will do —