Topic: Beer Evaluation
Judging Off Flavors
Beer is cacophony of flavor. There are over 500 flavor compounds in hops alone, and the other three basic ingredients of water, grain, and yeast add many hundreds more. As we combine
Adjusting Homebrew After Fermentation
Brewers often commit that five-step sequence to muscle memory. After all, a strict routine is vital in maintaining a high level of control over the countless variables affecting the beermaking process and
Homebrewing Experiments
There is a lot of conventional wisdom in the world of homebrewing. Some of it is good and obvious (always keep things clean and sanitized), while some of it is a little
Brewer’s Thumbprint: 5 Homebrewers & 1 Recipe
I’ve always been curious about whether or not it’s truly possible to “clone” a beer on a homebrew scale. Consider the number of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Stone IPA clone beers you’ve
Troubleshooting Homebrew
Modern homebrew has improved greatly since I first began brewing in the mid-1990s. Better ingredients, equipment, and information has led homebrewers to avoid many of those formerly commonplace mistakes and produce commercial-quality
Understanding Beer Spoilage
Microorganisms can cause undesirable effects on beer in several ways, including undesirable changes in beer flavor and aroma. Growth of microorganisms on raw materials or in wort can produce changes that alter
The Chemistry of Beer Flavor
Beer is comprised of hundreds of different chemical compounds that contribute to the overall flavor and aroma perception of the beer. Different styles of beer have different flavor and aroma characteristics that
Troubleshooting Homebrew & Avoiding Common Mistakes
In the early years as a rookie homebrewer, there were many times where I poured myself a beer from a newly readied batch and said, “You know, this didn’t turn out quite
Quality Control & Testing Beer: Tips from Pros
Behind many great brews are scientists testing and tasting beers in the lab. In fact, every beer — be it commercial or homebrew — can benefit from better quality control. Two beer
Figuring Out Off-Flavors
Stone Brewing Co.’s Quality Assurance Supervisor discusses how to set up a proper off flavors panel at home.
Pairing Beer and Cheese: Tips from the Pros
Beer and cheese taste great. Let three experts explain how they can be even better together.
Evaluating Beer
Once your beer is bottled or kegged, you’re done, right? Actually, you’ve got one task left as a brewer — evaluating your beer. Critically tasting your own beer can reveal avenues for improvement in your homebrewing.
