Hops are an important ingredient used in beer brewing. Harvested from the hop plant (scientific name: Humulus lupulus), they help balance the overly sweet flavors of malt with a touch of bitterness, creating a delicate blend that most beer drinkers love. Without them, homebrewed beer would have an overwhelming sweet flavor with an off-balanced yeast fermentation. […]
When it’s made right, moonshine (AKA white lightning) should look clear as water. This is the direct result of a multi-phase distillation process which filters out impurities and unwanted chemical compounds. However, some newcomers to the hobby may notice a slight yellow tint to their moonshine, leaving them to question whether or not it’s safe […]
Ever drink a glass of freshly brewed beer that just doesn’t taste right? There are certain “off flavors” which are commonly associated with homebrew beer. Whether this is your first attempt at homebrewing, or if you’ve been doing it for years, it’s important to familiarize yourself with these off flavors so you’ll know how to […]
When homebrew beer is fermenting, it will naturally begin to bubble and foam on the surface. This is a sign that the yeast is reacting to the sugars, converting them into alcohol. If there’s no foam on the surface of your beer, something is wrong. However, an excessive amount of top foam may send some […]
They don’t call it “white lightning” for nothing. When it’s made right, moonshine (AKA white lighting) has a serious kick to it. It’s always fun to watch the face of someone drinking moonshine for the first time, as it’s bound to cause a notable expression. While some people enjoy the natural strength of moonshine, others […]
Brewing your own beer is a fun and rewarding hobby. It allows you to modify the flavors and characteristics of your brew to achieve an entirely unique type of beer. It’s this level of freedom and personalization that draws so many people to the homebrew hobby. Before you jump into this hobby, though, there are […]
The typical length of time it takes homebrew beer to ferment is around 1-2 weeks. Naturally, eager homebrewers probably don’t want to wait around several weeks to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Fermentation is a critical step during the beer brewing process, and unfortunately there’s no way to bypass it. With that said, there […]
Secondary fermentation is a topic that’s oftentimes misunderstood among first-time homebrewers. There’s some belief that it’s a necessary step when brewing beer, but this isn’t necessarily true. While adding a secondary fermentation to your homebrew may offer some benefits, there are also some disadvantages in doing so. Whether this is your first attempt at homebrewing, […]
There’s a heated debate brewing (no pun intended) over which method of hop extraction is the best: partial or full boil. Some people prefer the quick and easy approach to partial boils, while others prefer the longer, more methodical approach to full boils. The truth is that both techniques are capable of producing delicious brews […]
Bottling is the final step in the homebrew process; it’s the culmination of all your hard work and persistence. But if it’s not not done right, you could end up ruining an otherwise perfect batch of beer. Homebrewers must follow some particular guidelines when bottling their beer to ensure the flavors, consistency, carbonation and alcohol […]