Making Beer


Think Small: Ideas for Brewing Session Beers

Lower ABV doesn’t have to mean less enjoyment of your beer. We have some ideas for brewing—and enjoying—a killer session beer!

DIY: Making Your Own Cooler Mash Tun

Making your own mash tun out of a cooler is an easy process and ensures that your mash process is insulated and evenly heated. Here’s how to do it.

Video: Measuring and Tracking the Gravity in Your Beer

Keeping track of the gravity throughout your brew is one of the best ways to guarantee consistency.

Hops: Homegrown For Homebrew

Homegrown hops are the easiest beer ingredient for a homebrewer to produce on his/her own, and with some know-how on your end, you can grow your own harvest year after year.

Make Your Best Northern English Brown Ale

The Northern English Brown Ale is the perfect brew for fall, and, if you’re so inclined, you can add that popular orange gourd nobody wants to admit to liking (you know the one we’re talking about).

DIY: Make a Yeast Starter Stir Plate

Yeast starters will jump-start your fermentation, but you can supercharge the process with a stir plate, which uses a spinning magnet to keep the liquid in constant motion. Here’s how to build your own.

Gear Test: Anton Paar EasyDens

This extract and density meter for homebrewers is on the pricey side but delivers fast and accurate readings for a fraction of the cost of higher end professional units, making it a great option for nano breweries.

What, Exactly, IS Yeast Nutrient?

Although every product is different, here are some of the most common constituents of a good nutrient blend.

Video: Purifying Your Water

If you're brewing on a budget, check out a cost effective filter and Hop Randall.

Make Your Best California Common

The California Common is rumored to be the only indigenous American beer style, and its hybrid nature makes it an interesting and delicious beer to reach for in the late summer months.