Writer: Ashton Lewis
Using a Corny For Primary, The Need for Sterilizing and Uses for a Spare Fridge
A reader is interested in any shortcomings of chilling and fermenting beer in a Corny keg. Also get the scoop on the importance of sanitizing and various uses for that spare refrigerator you might come across.
Beer Clarification Advice
My preference of clarification method is based more on process constraints than any true affinity for a particular method. Gravity plus time, finings plus time, filtration, centrifugation, and combinations of these can
Calibrating a pH Meter With Distilled Water
On paper, using distilled water as a pH 7.0 makes sense because the ionization constant is 1 x 10-14 and the concentration of hydrogen ions is 1 x 10-7 molar at 77
Troubleshooting A Smoky Off-Flavor
I like to troubleshoot off-flavors by thinking through the brewing process as a way of brainstorming. Plugging these thoughts into a visual aid like a fishbone diagram really helps to identify possible
Do Corn and Rice Adjuncts “Dry Out” Beer?
Dryness is a perception when used as a sensory term and as an analytical/numerical thing when used to describe fermentation. When wort is “fermented to dryness,” all fermentable sugars have been fermented
Do Adjuncts “Dry Out” Beer? Fining Beer, Smoky Off-Flavor, and pH 7
Is there a good reason that brewers add corn or rice to beer to “dry” it out? Learn the answer to this as well as Mr. Wizard’s favorite way to fine beer, possible causes to a smoky off-flavor, and why distilled water can’t be used to calibrate a pH meter.
Clues To Identifying An Infection
Identifying beer spoilage by visual observation can be a challenge, but the photo of your brew does look suspect. If I were to wager a bet, my money would be on Acetobacter
Mr. Wizard’s Guide to Cleaning Your Draft System
Clean draft lines and faucets are key to any properly maintained draft beer system. The good news for the homebrewer is that our draft lines tend to be relatively short and contain
Flaked versus Rolled Grains, Gelatinization, Identifying an Infection, and Draft Cleaning
Is there a difference between rolled and flaked grain? Also learn about gelatinization, clues to a beer’s odd appearance, and the Wizard’s guide to cleaning a draft system.
Is There a Difference Between Rolled and Flaked Grains?
Thanks for the great question, Tony! An interesting topic to dive into for sure because there are some real differences among adjunct grains that are invisible to the eye. For starters, the
Keys To Great Weizen, Using Fresh-Picked Hops, Aging Beer, and Beer Burps
The Wizard provides tips for crafting a high-quality hefeweizen. Readers also seek advice on using freshly picked hops, a homebrewed beer’s lifespan, and if there is any merit to judging beer based on a beer burp.
Using Beer Burp to Help Judge a Beer?
This just goes to show that learning never stops. I can state with conviction that I have never heard or read about this method in decent circles. But I am choosing to
