Writer: John Oliver
Mash Programs
Single infusion, step mashing, decoction — and beyond
Sleepy Bear Wassail
A spiced Christmas punch of sorts.
Valley Forge Winter Spruce Ale
Spruce beer was a common colonial beverage in George Washington’s time and no doubt would have been welcome during the cold winter at Valley Forge.
The Belgian Masters Speak
Four award-winning brewers who specialize in Belgian beers share their best tips, techniques and advice for homebrewers.
Five Tips from the Rogue
John Maier, the award-winning brewer at Rogue in Oregon, is legendary for big beers in big bottles. And he’s still a homebrewer at heart. Here are his top tips for excellent ales.
Practice with Your Palate
If you want to brew better beer, you should learn to identify its myriad flavors, aromas, and sensations. So crack open a bottle, take a sip, and let the tasting lesson begin.
15 Tips
These low-tech but innovative homebrewing tips put the fun back in functional. Realize the brewing potential of your kids’ marbles, the livingroom rug, and Grandma’s holiday Jell-O mold.
Take Heart with Winter Warmers
These seasonal beers were traditionally served to warm the body and soul with their herbs, spices, and high alcohol content. Recipes included for spruce beer, wassail, and a brew to fight off Old Man Winter.
The Best Mash Program
The mashing process is the key to all-grain brewing. During the mash, hot water breaks down the long-chain carbohydrates and proteins provided by malt into simpler, smaller units that serve as food
10 Keys to Great Lager
Getting started in the world of homebrewing doesn’t have to be limited to brewing ales. Lagers can be fun and easy as long as you remember to be patient, control the temperature, and master a few other tricks.
The 5-Sense Beer Test
It’s more than a sense of taste. You use all five of your senses to evaluate a beer. Refining your technique can provide more enjoyment and help you make your own beer better.
Muscle into Kegging
Homebrewing is a fun hobby. However, when pressed on the subject many homebrewers would say the least fun aspect of this pastime is the process of cleaning, sanitizing, and filling bottles. With
