Topic: Mr Wizard
Mash pH Importance
Mash pH is extremely important. Enzyme activity is a function of pH and all enzymes are only active in a relatively narrow range around their optimum pH. In the case of mashing,
Over-Oxygenation of Wort
I have been writing this column for nearly 18 years and I think I have been writing about the importance of wort aeration for nearly the same time period. While oxygen is
Batch Sparging Temperatures
This question is a bit more about semantics than any real issues with sparge temperature, in my view of things. Bear with me while I explain how commercial brewers normally mash out
Chill Haze
I am one of those brewers who believe in sticking to the fundamentals of brewing and then bringing in special tools and brewing aids only after knowing that the fundamentals are being
Hop Oils
I consider my knowledge on this topic typical for the average craft brewer and will answer your question from my perspective and comment on some of the topics brewers and hop researchers
How many batches does it take to make good beer?
Wow, this is really the million dollar question. I don’t think there is any magic number of brews that are required before a brewer successfully brews the first batch of good beer.
T90 VS. T45 Hop Pellets, Light Struck Beer: Mr. Wizard
Q The effect of light on wort and beer I recently noticed that hop pellets are described as either T90 or T45. What do these values mean? What are the pros and
Kräusen Rings & Shelf Stability: Mr. Wizard
Q Does the dried-up kräusen ring at the top of my fermenter after primary fermentation present a bacterial contamination risk? Daryle Sewell Frankfurt, Germany A Fermenting beer can at times appear unusual
Carbonation Bubble Size & Microwave Decoction: Mr. Wizard
Q How does one control the size of the carbonation? Some beers seem to have very fine bubbles where others have large bubbles. Mike Bourcier Mason, Michigan A I have to admit
Cleaning & Sanitizing Bottles, Scaling Recipes: Mr. Wizard
Q I would like some information on methods for cleaning and sanitizing bottles. Also what is the best way to store the bottles after they are cleaned/sterilized? We like to reuse our
Keg Hopping, Residual Sweetness: Mr. Wizard
Q Some questions came up in our homebrew club about keg hopping. First, will you get the same effects in a cold keg as you would a warm secondary? and if it
Airlock Suck Back, Bottling Carbonated Beer: Mr. Wizard
Q When cold crashing or lagering beer from a relatively warmer temperature to a colder one, negative pressure of condensed air in the headspace can draw in liquid and air through the
