Craft Beer, Homebrewing, Beer Guides
Cleaning hop debris from the kettle strainer is about as much fun as cleaning the toilet. But there is no reason you have to put up with such drudgery. Hop spiders are designed to contain debris to prevent it from clogging up your system and from migrating to the fermenter. They also free you from … Read more
“I want mead!” screams King Hrothgar at the opening of the 2007 film “Beowulf.” The fact that the original “Beowulf” text is more than 1,000 years old and very much mentions this type of brew points to the fact that mead has been quenching the thirst of Viking warriors and weekend warriors alike since the … Read more
When I first began brewing I remember being unsure about what type of container I should use to ferment my beer in. I watched videos of people using large plastic water jugs and glass jars but I wasn’t understanding why I would use one over the other. What is a Carboy? Beer carboys are essentially … Read more
One of the most basic ingredients in beer is grain. Grain is what breaks down into sugar that yeast feeds on. When yeast eats this sugar, it produces both alcohol and carbon dioxide. Grain also adds color and flavor to the beer. Choosing the right grain for your beer is vital as it gives beer … Read more
So, what is the big deal about a growler anyway? We have all seen them at our local breweries, and some of you may even have a few of them lying around your house. Well, the truth is, growlers aren’t as big of a deal as they used to be. But, they are still very … Read more
Northern Brewer is well known for their wine and beer supplies. They were founded in 1993 and offer a wide range of products including ingredients, equipment, supplies, kits, keg systems, and bottling tools. They also provide excellent customer service. Among many of their products is the Big Mouth Bubbler. It’s a plastic carboy fermenter for … Read more
The right beer fermenter could mean the difference between tasty brews or nasty suds. We’ve assembled a list of the best fermenters out there. Find out which one is the best for you here.
No matter where you are in your brewing adventures, we all have experience brewing in the kitchen. It is a great place to start, but at some point, you’ll have to give everyone a break. They are sick of getting their feet wet and having the house smell like bitter hops. But what other options … Read more
Want to learn how to malt your own barley? It’s easy. All you need is barley, some water, and a bit of rewarding work (plus a lot of patience). The problem is that it can be a bit confusing for beginners, and it doesn’t help that most of the material we found online was either … Read more
In all likelihood, you’ve never heard someone at your local tavern say “Give me a Budweiser Peach.” That’s because, although the idea of adding fruit to beer goes back centuries, it isn’t something that’s ever gained traction with or been promoted by, big mainstream breweries. Fruity beers (at least in the West) have always been … Read more