Writer: Dawson Raspuzzi
Homebrew Unitank Comparison
We offer a roundup comparison of small-scale pressurizable unitank fermenters that are geared toward homebrewers.
Hopping for Bitterness
The majority of a beer’s hop character comes from late- or post-boil hop additions, but that doesn’t mean the bittering addition at the start of the boil should be overlooked.
Two Approaches to Perry
Two perrymakers — one who utilizes culinary pears and another who uses nothing but perry pears — offer advice for homebrewers on crafting a delicious perry.
Brewing Light American Lagers
Two pros who won gold and silver at the 2024 Great American Beer Festival for their light American lagers share their tips for brewing these delicate beers at home.
Pairing Beer & Cheese
There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to beer and cheese pairings, though two experts in this area share their advice to make the experience enjoyable.
Pro Tips for Brewing Barleywine
Four pro brewers recognized for brewing barleywine share their advice for homebrewers. From recipe formulation, brewing techniques, and aging this big beer style on oak (or not), they cover all the bases for how they brew barleywine.
Using Barrel Alternatives
Oak barrels aren’t the only way to add oak character to your homebrews. Two experts share their advice for getting the most from barrel alternatives such as spirals, staves, chips, and cubes.
Oak It Up
Barrel aging contributes to the complexity of many of the world’s most sought-after beers. We query four pros in charge of barrel programs of various sizes about creating barrel-aged beers. Each also offers us a clone recipe for one of their barrel-aged offerings.
3 Sons Brewing Co.’s Summation clone
This is the base recipe for Summation, which 3 Sons often brews variations of with added flavors like coffee, vanilla, and more. If you wish to create a variation with adjuncts, add after barrel aging.
Cerebral Brewing Co.’s Standard Practice clone
Stouts and barleywines aren’t the only styles you should consider aging in barrels. This helles lands on the other end of the flavor intensity threshold and is perfect for any occasion. This beer received a gold medal in 2022 at the Festival of Barrel Aged Beers.
Firestone Walker Brewing Co.’s Parabola clone
Parabola is arguably Firestone Walker’s most notorious barrel-aged beer and is released as a vintage beer each year. This imperial stout is thick with bold yet balanced flavors of chocolate, charred oak, vanilla, black cherry, and coffee.
Mortalis Brewing Co.’s Ophion clone
This is the base recipe for Ophion, which Mortalis has released numerous variants of over the years with differing aging times and occasional adjunct additions like vanilla beans, coconut, and more.
