Writer: Chris Colby
Strategies to Win Homebrew Contests
A homebrew judge (and contestant) tells you how to go for the gold and make your homebrew submission stand out in its flight at the contest.
International Lagers
They’re here. They’re there. They’re everywhere — those ubiquitous light lagers like Heineken, Grolsch and Becks in their green bottles. Learn how to brew one at home (and learn a few new techniques — including cereal mashing and high-gravity brewing — while you’re at it). Plus: the skunk factor.
Mountain Brew
Jason Pavento wanted to combine his two favorite beverages, homebrew and Mountain Dew. His creation — Mountain Brew — does just that. We’ve fiddled with his procedures a bit, based on our own experimentation, but the ingredients are the same as his original recipe. The beer turns out light and crisp, with some aroma, but not much flavor from the Mountain Dew. And, in case you’re wondering, neither the preservatives or the caffeine seem to bother the yeast. Mountain Brew is also a very easy to make. So, to mangle a phrase from their ads — just brew it!
Jolly Rancher Apple Lambic
Jolly Rancher Apple lambic is a dry, sour beer with the flavor and aroma of Granny Smith apples coming from Jolly Rancher hard candies. This latest version of the recipe is based on the results of three brewings. For best results, let the beer age warm for at least three months.
Making & Using Dark Roast Extract
How to blend a pale beer with a dark roast extract to build the perfect pint of stout.
Cereal Mashing
Cereal mashing allows you to mash corn grits, rice or unmalted wheat for certain beer styles. It also allows you to experiment with virtually any starchy food. Plus: a “corny” cream ale recipe.
Wheat: The Oldest Grain
Wheat beers — whether German hefeweizens, Belgian wits or any of the other classic styles of wheat beers — are great beers. But wheat beer is not only a great beer, it also has a great story behind it. Deciding where to start is a problem, though.
Tips to Brew Easier
Is the Ticktockman cramping your style? Tell him to stuff it! Learn 13 time-saving steps to a quicker brew day.
Home Lab Tests
Does this look infected? Even if your beers tastes fine, it has some level of contamination. Learn how to find out if your beer is in the clear or if you’re one pitch away from disaster.
Brewing with Chocolate
Candy may be dandy, but does it belong in your homebrew? Learn how chocolate is made and why you need to know this in order to brew a better chocobrau.
Lager Tools and Techniques: Techniques
There’s more to fermenting a lager than just keeping it cool. Learn the tools and techniques to make your lager a success.
Chip Off the Old Bock — The American Adaptation of Bock Beer
Old World bockbier has a New World cousin —American bock. Once a seasonal offered by nearly every American brewery, now a year-round beer style of a few regional breweries; this beer style appears to have found a niche.
