Topic: Brewing Science
Theory and Practice of Lautering
Lautering is the act of separating sweet wort from spent grains. The act of lautering wort is physically very similar to filtration. The flow of wort through a grain bed can be
Milling — Theory and Practical Consideration
An all-grain brew day starts with heating the water and milling the grain. Learn the best ways to mill your malt.
Preventing Diacetyl
Vicinal diketones (VDKs) are the products of normal beer fermentation within a brewery. The two VDKs that are of primary concern to brewers are 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl) and 2,3-pentanedione. Diacetyl in a finished
Understanding Yeast Metabolism
Yeast are microscopic, unicellular fungi that are capable of converting various types of sugar into ethanol and other byproducts. Yeast take in sugars and anaerobically (without oxygen) metabolize them to produce energy,
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
Oxygenation of Wort
Availability of dissolved oxygen to yeast during the initial stage of fermentation is very important. Yeast use oxygen to build cell membrane components that are essential to replication. Unsaturated fatty acids, sterols
Maillard Reactions
Beer contains hundreds of different compounds that interact with our human senses to create the appearance, mouthfeel, aromas and flavors that we experience and enjoy. The compounds that are contained within beer
Homebrewing Oak Alternatives
Back in the 1980s and 1990s brewers would often ask whether beers that spent a long time in oak casks, such as IPAs, would have an oak flavor. I would reply (accurately)
A Beer Named Sous
Culinary students in a homebrewing club make beer using the sous vide cooking method.
Understanding pH
Learn how, and when, to adjust your pH.
Diacetyl
The dreaded diacetyl. What it is, where it comes from … and is it really always bad?
Pineapple Brewing
Know what causes gushers? The Wiz does.
