Kolsch style beers are crisp, delicate, and very drinkable. This is sure to quench your thirst on a warm spring or summer day. If you are considering the achievements of the city of Cologne, Germany, one would need to include this straw colored, pale bitter European beer. Brewers began brewing Kolsch beers in the city of Cologne, Germany at least a thousand years ago. Location, Location, Location Cologne is along the Rhine River. The Cologne residents were looking for something different from the old brewing method of lagering their beer. They were so serious about this, a law was passed in … [Read more...]
Propper Yeast Starter
An Added Insurance: Yeast starters are one of the biggest insurances a homebrewer can do to help their beer. The homebrew experts tend to say that a wort that is over 1.070 starting gravity, a starter is best to include with their brew day. Starters should be made at least 24 hours prior to pitching the yeast. I have never been too big on making starters for every batch of beer I brew. I am usually brewing beers with starting gravities of 1.070 and lower. On the rare occasion that I am brewing up a Russian Imperial Stout or Belgian Quad, I have taken the extra insurance of … [Read more...]
The Fungus Among Us….The story of a Mushroom Beer
When you think of mushrooms, you usually think of pizza, cream of mushroom soup, or maybe some sautéed mushrooms to adorn your medium rare steaks. I know this is what normal people think of when thinking about mushrooms. I too think of these tasty concoctions. I also think of beer. That’s right, the cold elixir that we all long for after a long day. At first I was hesitant about creating this beer. I really did not think mushrooms would taste good in a beer. The first time I thought of joining these two seemingly never to join forces was when I was brewing for a local festival Morel Fest. … [Read more...]
Seasonal Brewing – Oktoberfest Recipe
We live our lives by the seasons. For instance, the end of the football season means baseball’s Spring Training is right around the corner. Well, for some people, like Raiders fans, it starts sooner -- maybe around Halloween. But there’s always the next sports season to look forward to. Tour the Baseball Hall of Fame and Brewery Ommegang! It’s the same with brewing. Since it takes time for your beer to ferment and bottle condition, it’s good to do some advance planning. You might want to beef up the bullpen, as it were, or start looking at some interesting young prospects in the form of … [Read more...]
WHY DO WE DRINK “BEER?”
One beloved beverage, so many names. Walk into a taproom in Germany or The Netherlands and order a Bier. Go to a brasserie in France or Italy and enjoy a Biere. Enter a pub in England and ask for a pint of Beer. Yet if you visit Spain or Portugal, you’ll get funny looks with the B-sounding word unless you request a Cerveza in Barcelona or a Cerveja in Lisbon. Primitive beer making. Source http://www.romeacrosseurope.com/?p=2961#sthash.tasK1K2N.KMd3P7OQ.dpbs Why is the Iberian Peninsula different from the rest of Europe? And why are there completely different … [Read more...]
In Praise of the LHBS
I’ll say it right up front: Online shopping is pretty nifty. I love that I don’t have to deal with the crowds, search for parking, or put on pants. Especially not putting on pants. Everything is delivered right to my door, easy-peasy. It got me thinking that everything you could ever want can be bought online. There's a reason this is only a head shot. Well, Not Everything Yeah, not everything. There are limits to online buying. You can’t get a haircut online, after all. You’d be a fool to try to get an expensive tailored suit fitted online, am I right? And don’t even talk to me about … [Read more...]
Why Barley Brewing Is Better for the Environment
Brews or beers are made from a variety of grains, so each has a different taste and different properties. Corn produces a smooth, sweet beer. Oats add creaminess and fullness to beers. Rice adds snappiness to a beer’s flavor, while rye adds spiciness and complexity to a brew. Wheat creates a smooth, full-bodied brew. However, barley is the most common grain used in brews. Barley is popular as a brewing grain because of its flavor, nutritional properties and benefits to the environment. What is Barley? Barley is a grain that is in the grass family. Barley has many uses as livestock feed, … [Read more...]
The Loral Hoped IPA Yanny
Loral variety is a hop coming out of Hops Brewing Company (HBC), a joint venture between John I. Hass and Select Botanicals Group. Considering the popularity of HBC’s Mosaic and Citra hops, this hop is in some pretty stellar company. With thirteen years spent experimenting with this hop, Loral finally made its way into consumer’s hand May of 2016. From Experimental Hop to the Big Times Initially known as HBC 291, this hop has become known in the beer world as Loral Hops. The aroma profile of this hop has some great floral, peppery, and even herbal notes to it, reminiscent of German noble … [Read more...]
Hop-head vs. Malt-head
Let’s talk Style. No, not beer styles - fashion. We’ll get to the beer later. Have you ever seen someone who still wore those clown-width neckties from the 70s? Or that guy who still rocked the MC Hammer harem pants? Or skinny jeans? Have you ever been that guy? Don’t answer that last question. The point is, fashions come and go. This is as true for beer as it is for clothing. IPAs have been a trend in the American Craft Beer scene for a few years now. It seems every microbrewery and brewpub has a beer they playfully label as “Toxic” or “Mega-Bitter.” And, of course, we’ve … [Read more...]
The Metamorphosis – A Four-Hour Boil
In recent months there has been a lot of talk in the homebrewing community about how homebrewers can reduce their brew times all the while still creating a delicious beer. Simple Homebrew Denny Conn and Drew Beechum over at Experimental Brewers have an entire book dedicated to this subject matter. Simple Homebrew, coming out this Spring, is a book about “cutting through the clutter” as Drew mentions. Denny adds, “our basic message is to cut out anything that doesn’t make for a better beer or more fun.” One point Denny and Drew want to make here is “that simple doesn’t mean it’s just for … [Read more...]