Oxidation is an issue that nearly every homebrewer will face at some point or another. The term “oxidation” refers to the collective group of chemical reactions involving oxygen and the ingredients in beer (malt, water, hops, etc.). Regardless of how hard you try to prevent it, some oxidation will occur when homebrewing beer. The secret […]
A Cleveland Browns’ fan has created a homebrewed beer in honor of the former Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman-winner Johnny Manziel. The brew, rightfully named “Johnny Man’z Ale” is a Belgium-style golden ale complete with the soon-to-be NFL star’s picture on the label. Johnny Man’z Ale is the brainchild of Browns’ fan Chris Slavin. Slavin, […]
It’s downright frustrating when you invest both your time and money into brewing a batch of beer only to discover that’s it plagued with an overly sweet flavor. Hints of sweetness isn’t going to ruin a batch of homebrew beer. In fact, it often balances and compliments the hop flavors, resulting in a palatable combination […]
Many homebrewers overlook the use of a salt as a flavor additive for their beer. Salt is arguably the single most versatile seasoning on the planet; it can be added to soups, sauces, pastas, sandwiches, burgers, chicken, and practically any other food or beverage you can think of. It’s even used in most sodas (check […]
Hard water can have a serious impact on the quality of homebrewed beer. Just as ‘hard water’ stains develop on your dishes and inside your dishwasher, the same stuff can from inside your beer. While minor cases typically won’t pose any problems, heavy concentrations of hard water can alter the beer’s flavor, aroma and even […]
Tired of brewing the same generic beer time after after time? While you could always experiment with different sugar-yeast ratios and fermentation techniques, the safest and most effective way to alter the flavor of your homebrew beer is by incorporating new ingredients into the mix. Honey is an ingredient that’s commonly used to improve the […]
This is an all-too-common question that beginners ask when brewing beer. Some people prefer strong beer with a high alcohol by volume (ABV) for obvious reasons. Going back to the basics of beer brewing 101, we all know that sugars are converted into alcohol during fermentation. Typically, yeast is added to perform the conversion, allowing […]
Does your homebrewed beer suffer from a general flat, bland or irregular body? It’s hard to enjoy a tall glass of homebrewed beer with a poor body. Even if the hop flavors are spot on, the flat feeling it leaves in your mouth will drastically reduce its overall quality. But what causes the body to […]
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 […]