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Brewing, explained by people who build the gear.

Brew-day technique, fermentation, chilling and equipment guides, written from the workshop in Vancouver. Pick a topic or search.

Illustration: The Benefits of Stainless Steel in Brewing Equipment Equipment3 min read The Benefits of Stainless Steel in Brewing EquipmentStainless steel doesn’t corrode, flavour the beer or mind strong cleaners. How it compares with copper, aluminium and plastic, 304 vs 316, and how to look after it. Illustration: Crafting Fruit Beers: Fermentation Techniques Fermentation4 min read Crafting Fruit Beers: Fermentation TechniquesAdd fruit after the most vigorous fermentation for the brightest flavour. Here is when to add it, how much to use, which form works best and how to avoid gushers. Illustration: What Does ABV Mean? ABV vs ABW, Explained With a Conversion Chart Ingredients4 min read What Does ABV Mean? ABV vs ABW, Explained With a Conversion ChartABV means alcohol by volume: the share of a drink that is pure alcohol. Here is what the number means, how it differs from ABW, how to convert between them,... Illustration: What Does IBU Mean in Beer? IBU Explained, With a Chart by Style Ingredients4 min read What Does IBU Mean in Beer? IBU Explained, With a Chart by StyleIBU stands for International Bitterness Units, a measure of the bitter compounds hops add to beer. Here is what the number means, typical IBU by style, how brewers calculate it,... Illustration: The Malting Process: How Barley Becomes Malt, Step by Step Ingredients6 min read The Malting Process: How Barley Becomes Malt, Step by StepMalting turns barley into malt in three steps: steeping, germination and kilning. Here is what happens inside the grain at each step, the enzymes it builds, how kilning sets colour... Illustration: The Physics of Boiling and Cooling in Brewing Brew day4 min read The Physics of Boiling and Cooling in BrewingBoiling isomerizes hops, drives off DMS and concentrates wort; chilling stops it. Here are the numbers: boil-off, boiling point at altitude, and heating power. Illustration: What Is the pH of Beer? Values by Style and Why It Matters Ingredients5 min read What Is the pH of Beer? Values by Style and Why It MattersMost beer has a pH of 4.0 to 4.6, and sour beers 3.0 to 3.6. Here is the pH of beer by style, how it compares with other drinks, how... Illustration: Unleashing the Potential of Brettanomyces: Unique Yeast for Unique Flavors Fermentation3 min read Unleashing the Potential of Brettanomyces: Unique Yeast for Unique FlavorsBrettanomyces adds funk, fruit and dryness. Here is how to use it, what it tastes like, how long it takes, and how to keep it away from your other beers. Illustration: Exploring the Latest Trends in Hop Usage Ingredients4 min read Exploring the Latest Trends in Hop UsageWhat’s changed in how brewers use hops: lupulin powders, extracts, thiol-boosting yeast, new varieties and hop water. Illustration: All-Grain vs Extract Brewing for Beginners: Which Should You Start With? Ingredients6 min read All-Grain vs Extract Brewing for Beginners: Which Should You Start With?Extract gets you brewing sooner; all-grain gives you full control and cheaper batches. Here is how the two really compare on time, cost, equipment and taste, and why an all-in-one... Illustration: Mastering the Art of Small Batch Brewing Brew day4 min read Mastering the Art of Small Batch BrewingSmall batch brewing means 1 to 3 gallon batches, often on a kitchen stove. Here is the equipment, how to scale recipes down, and what to watch for. Illustration: Exploring the Art of Spontaneous Fermentation Fermentation3 min read Exploring the Art of Spontaneous FermentationSpontaneous fermentation pitches no yeast at all. Here is how lambic is made, from the coolship to years in barrels, and why it only happens in the cooler months. Illustration: The Essential Tools Every Homebrewer Should Have Equipment4 min read The Essential Tools Every Homebrewer Should HaveThe equipment you actually need to brew all-grain beer at home, and the upgrades that make the biggest difference to your beer. Illustration: The Impact of Grain Roasting on Beer Flavor Profiles Ingredients3 min read The Impact of Grain Roasting on Beer Flavor ProfilesKilning and roasting create malt colour and flavour, from bread and biscuit to caramel, chocolate and coffee. Here is what each roast level gives and how much to use. Illustration: How to Brew a Pilsner at Home: Recipe, Ingredients and Lager Schedule Styles & recipes7 min read How to Brew a Pilsner at Home: Recipe, Ingredients and Lager ScheduleA complete Czech-style pilsner for 5 gallons: grain, Saaz hops, soft water, mash, fermentation temperatures and the lagering schedule, plus the pressure-fermented shortcut that gets you there in half the... Copper vs Stainless Counterflow Chillers: What Actually Matters Chilling3 min read Copper vs Stainless Counterflow Chillers: What Actually MattersCopper conducts heat 25 times better than stainless, and it barely matters in a coil-in-coil chiller. Here is why, and why we build ours from 304 stainless anyway. Illustration: The Art of Barrel Fermentation Beer Brewing: A Guide Fermentation4 min read The Art of Barrel Fermentation Beer Brewing: A GuideBarrels add oak and the character of what they held before. Here is how to choose and prepare a barrel, how long to age, and how to avoid oxygen and... Illustration: Using Wood Chips and Staves in Fermentation Fermentation3 min read Using Wood Chips and Staves in FermentationOak chips, cubes, spirals and staves give barrel character without a barrel. Here is how much to use, how long, which toast, and how to sanitize the wood.
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