Brewing Techniques and Advice


Family (Beer) Guy/Gal

Inviting your spouse and your children to join the brew process makes brewing all the more fun for everyone. Jester Goldman has some tips for how to make brewing more interesting for kids, from toddlers on up.

Cold Beer? Warm Beer? Select the Right Serving Temperature

When it comes to craft ales and lagers, there really is no good one-size-fits-all temperature. And even if there were, it probably wouldn’t be ice cold.

Water and Mash pH

If you are an all-grain brewer, the most important thing to worry about is mash pH. Brad Smith delves into why and how to achieve the right pH.

Make Your Best Black IPA

The Black IPA is a relatively new style of IPA borne of several well-loved styles of beer. Josh Weikert walks you through the ins and outs of this style so you can make it your best!

Pick Your Fermentor Part II: Advanced Fermentor Choices

If you’re ready to upgrade your fermentor in either size or value, longtime homebrewer Jester Goldman has suggestions to help you make the best decision for your goals.

Doesn’t Matter How You Brew It—You Must Try Oreo Beer

There are a number of ways to get that Oreo flavor into your homebrew, but each method comes with its own set of challenges. Homebrewer Libby Murphy walks you through the ins and outs of the ingredients.

Barley’s Sixth Sense

Six-row barley may suffer from a bit of an image problem, but homebrewers and commercial craft brewers alike are beginning to discover that a little six-row isn’t all that bad.

Make Your Best Bière de Mars

Brew this beer in late winter so it’ll be ready to go in early spring. It’s a rustic, slightly lighter version of bière de garde, but with richer flavors.

Pick Your Fermentor Part I: Plastic Buckets, Glass Carboys, and PET Plastic Carboys

There are a number of fermentors on the market, and making a decision can be tricky. Longtime homebrewer Jester Goldman explains the ins and outs of some of the choices.

Quantify Your Funk: A Primer on pH and Titratable Acidity

Here’s a primer on pH and titratable acidity (TA) and how, when, and why to measure them in your sour beers.