Topic: Brewing Science
Understanding the Science behind Beer Foam
Digital and Plus Members OnlyBeer foam: It’s more than just a layer at the top of your glass, it’s a complex matrix of air and chemistry that is highly dependent upon the brewing process. Explore the science of the suds with John Palmer.
Behind the IBU
Digital and Plus Members OnlyWhat is an IBU? It’s a simple question — wait until you hear the answer.
The Science of Step Mashing
FREEA single infusion mash is best for fully-modified malts — but when it comes to undermodified malts, you need to step it up.
Can oats in homebrew lower my cholestrol?
Digital and Plus Members OnlyI’ve been writing this column for 12 years now and am always surprised by the creativity of homebrewers, especially when it comes to redefining the daily role of beer in one’s life. Topics of beer and health are unfortunately avoided in the United States and many other countries because of labeling laws and discussions
How does silicone affect beer foam?
FREEThe professor you are working for is correct to state that some brewers use anti-foams and it is also true that these compounds are silicon-based. Dimethylpolysiloxane, in the form of a
How does tyramine in beer affect people taking MAOI?
FREEI have answered many questions over the years that deal with medical and health topics. The way I go about answering these questions is reading what I can find about these
The Principles of pH
FREEWhat (exactly) is pH and what can – or should – a homebrewer do about it? You may not know much about it (and depending on your water and the beers you brew, you may not need to), but pH affects many major aspects of beer character. Learn the simple steps to manage pH in your homebrews.
Water Chemistry: Tips from the Pros
Digital and Plus Members OnlyAre your ideas about water chemistry all wet? Let Greg Noonan (Vermont Pub & Brewery), Keith Villa (Blue Moon/Coors) and Kraig Bridgeford (Butte Creek) give a cut and dried explanation.
Brewing Experiments
Digital and Plus Members OnlyLearn how to replace the hot air of opinion with the cold, hard facts of science — by conducting an experiment. Put your favorite homebrew argument to rest with an appropriate test.
Fermentability
Digital and Plus Members OnlyYour beer’s final gravity is determined by the fermentability of the wort and the action of the yeast. Find out how to control these factors in your homebrews.
Balanced Recipe Formulation
Digital and Plus Members OnlyTired of brewing other people’s recipes? Learn the basics of recipe formulations, from making an ingredient list to choosing the right techniques. We’ll cover what you need and how to go about it, with discussions of all major brewing ingredients and what they add to beer. Plus, discussions of balance, complexity, harshness in dark grains, grains for body and cohumulone in hops. Plus: a recipe for "copper ale"
Calculating Alcohol Content, Attenuation, Extract, and Calories
Digital and Plus Members OnlyLearn how to calculate measures of extract, real and apparent attentuation, alcohol content and how many calories are in your beer.