Late Hopping: Mastering the Art of Late Hopping for the Ultimate Brew

Late Hopping If you’re an avid homebrewer looking to take your craft to the next level, you’ve probably heard the term “late hopping.” Late hopping refers to any hopping that isn’t a boil addition. These advanced hopping techniques can elevate your beer, turn the hop aroma to eleven, and add a hop brightness that boil additions just can’t touch. So, let’s peel back the bracts of late hopping, including hop bursting, hopstands, whirlpool hopping, and dry hopping methods. Plus, I’ll...

Sci-fi starry background with text "Embrace the Sour Side"

Embrace the Sour Side: Sour Beers

Ah, sour beers. Just hearing the name might make some cringe, conjuring images of spoiled brews and questionable aftertastes. Dread in the hearts of even seasoned beer lovers, the name alone can invoke. Like the dark side of brewing, some might recoil at the mere mention, but what if I told you the problem isn’t the taste but the name itself? Imagine if we rebranded it as “tart beer” instead. Sounds a lot better. I wonder if Sour Beers needs...

Summer Beers & How to Brew Them

As the temperature begins to climb and the days grow longer, beer enthusiasts and homebrewers alike start to think about refreshing summer brews. Whether you’re relaxing on your porch or hosting a backyard barbecue, having the perfect summer beer can make any day feel like a vacation. The heat of summer does add a layer of complexity to the process. Afterall, most of the yeast we would choose really can really go bananas when the temperature gets too far north...

Beer label for the American Pale Ale. Recreated in 2024. 4.8% abv 20 IBU's 5 gallons.

Crafting the Original Pale Ale

In the ever-evolving landscape of craft beer, where innovation and tradition blend seamlessly, the quest for authenticity often leads us down memory lanes littered with forgotten recipes and the remnants of once-celebrated breweries. For this month’s seasonal beer kit, we resurrect a pale ale that is a piece of brewing history lost to time, guided only by a set of clues and the spirit of an era that reshaped the beer scene in the Pacific Northwest. Sometimes, History Makes You...

A basket of blackberries, a couple of empty wine bottles, and a glass of red wine, set against the warm ambiance of a kitchen and a serene pastoral view through the open window. This image captures the essence and joy of home wine making, centered on the raw ingredients and the delightful anticipation of the finished wine.

Open the Door to Blackberry Wine

-Ben Holm 3.9.24 Free for the picking, blackberry wine is the perfect way to start your own winemaking journey. Every year, a free bounty is begging to be made into wine. When the topic of home winemaking bubbles up in conversation, grapes usually steal the spotlight. After all, saunter into any wine shop, and you’re greeted by shelves sagging under the weight of bottles filled with Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Cabernet. But what if I told you that the winemaking...