Here’s a picture of me mashing my decoction (note the two pots). There are certain types of beer that are very conducive to the various mashing regiments. I’ve mentioned in previous posts which types of beers tend to fit into which categories. We’ve covered single infusion and step-mashing to this point, but what about decoction [...]
Recently, I’ve been re-reading my Zymurgy journals, and it’s been great. I’ve reveling in the fact that there is always something to learn or remember. A simple example of this is related to the double bock I’m planning to brew. A double bock is the very first all-grain recipe I brewed. It turned out well, but I [...]
A thought occurred to me lately: one of my doctors knows that I homebrew and essentially hinted that he would love to try some. I know that he likes decent beer and really is an appreciator of wine. For that reason, I took him a homebrew. Loving to share my brews is truly one of [...]
I’m not sure how many of you make starters for your beers, especially the bigger ones, but I do. Some of you have been brewing for some time and others are just starting out, so you might be looking for how to make a starter, so here’s a post about how and why to make [...]
For some reason, I thought we’d already written a post on this very topic, but to my surprise, I couldn’t find it. So, I’ve decided to write down a very brief tutorial on the subject of making a yeast starter—or at least how I do it. For those of us who brew, we’ve often seen [...]
The possibilities are virtually limitless when you brew beer. There are just so many approaches, styles, and types to choose from that it can be bewildering. Actually, it can be simultaneously freeing as well. You don’t have to make a beer in a vacuum, and there is a lot of room for movement within a [...]
When I first moved near L.A., I had a lot of trouble finding a homebrew supply place. I thought I was going to have to drive hours and hours to get ingredients. I’m all for supporting my local marketplace, yet I was contemplating getting grains shipped for convenience and price. Then I found Culver City [...]
Occasionally, I recognize a serious gap in my learning. For instance, what effect does eisbocking have on the gravity of a beer when I know that I’m not getting 100% water from skimming? What about the bourbon addition? What do the changes do to the overall hydrometer measurement of the beer? I suppose recognizing my [...]
Comparing methods of carbonating beer
Last time, I mentioned that I had two stages left in my process. The next to last stage was bourbon barreling the beer. I didn’t have a bourbon barrel. I did have bourbon, and I did have oak chips. That was enough for me. I took some of the oak chips and decided to let [...]
