Michael Tonsmeire

From Sapwood Cellars in Columbia, Maryland, here’s a homebrew-scale iteration of their ever-evolving, Azacca-and-Citra-powered hazy double IPA, Pillowfort. Note the mash hops and cold dry hopping—two signatures of the Sapwood Cellars method.

Sapwood Cellars cofounder and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire talks about finding and identifying the best local, fresh fruit you can for mixed-culture or other fruit-focused beers.

Sometimes, the least “beer-like” beer can be the fun one that wins friends and influences people. In this clip from his video course, Sapwood Cellars cofounder Michael Tonsmeire makes the case for smoothie-style fruit beers.

Sapwood Cellars cofounder and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire discusses practical aspects of adding aseptic purees and fruit juices to the tank, including volume and pulp.

Sapwood Cellars cofounder and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire speaks to the reliability of aseptic purees, juices, and similar products for cleaner, simpler fruit beers that undergo straightforward fermentations.

Sapwood Cellars cofounder, brewer, and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire shares his expertise in all things fruit—sourcing, selecting, processing, blending, brewing, barrel-aging, and more.

This highly complex yet super-drinkable, dry-hopped, mixed-culture, gin barrel–aged golden ale combines the expertise of the two authors and cofounders at Sapwood Cellars—and it went on to become one of our Best 20 Beers in 2022.