Preparing your bottles is not on the list of fun tasks for the wine and beer maker. You do it because you must, but it’s not exactly as gratifying as punching down your must cap or watching your wort boil. Not only is it not a day at the beach, it ca
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Fruit purees are an increasingly popular ingredient for both beer and winemaking. By adding pureed fruit, you can make your batches stand out. In this article, we will explore how they are made, and how your batches will benefit from their
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If you love the IPA, you are not alone. The India Pale Ale (IPA) is a popular style of beer that originated in England in the late 18th century. It has since gone on to become one of the most popular and widely consumed beer styles in the world. The
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As the craft beer industry has grown, so too has the need for advanced brewing equipment. One such piece of equipment is the wort chiller, which is used in the cooling process after your boil. This article will explain how wort chillers work, th
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As you make more wine and wait for gravity to clear it, carboys are probably encroaching on your living space. The faster you get your wine in the bottle, the sooner you can drink it. The Buon Vino Mini Jet Filter Pump System can shorten your wait t
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Liquid malts are created by a process called mashing. This process involves soaking grains (usually barley) in hot water for an extended period of time to convert their starches into sugars. The resulting liquid is then separated from the grains and
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If you are making fruit wines from fresh fruit, hats off to you! They are more difficult than wines made from grapes with a much larger margin of error. Grapes are the closest thing to being readymade from nature for winemaking. High quality gra
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Modern civilization is never short of things to admire. Before mechanized corkers, corks were inserted into wine bottles using a wooden mallet or hammer to drive the cork into the bottle. This was a time-consuming and labor-intensive process you can&
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The use of synthetic corks for wine bottles has been steadily increasing over the years. It can be argued that aesthetics and nostalgia are mostly why they have not largely replaced natural corks entirely. They don’t make that bright poppin
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If you have compared your fruit wines to commercial bottles and felt like yours didn’t measure up, there’s a reason. It is probably because they use flavorings, and you don’t. The use of natural wine flavorings has been an integral part of the c
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If you think you’ve taken every precaution, yet you are still getting stuck fermentation and/or spoilage, your problem is probably low acidity. Unlike sugar measurement, acidity is often overlooked. Most home winemakers get introduced to testing for
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If you get that signature throbbing in your head when you drink alcohol, and it is not from sulfites or amines, there might just be an even simpler explanation: you’re dehydrated! Of course, it is common knowledge that alcohol consumption can cause d
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The original predecessor of the modern wine kit did not come with juice or any of the additives available today. The instructions also had to be disguised as a warning. If you’re not familiar, meet the stealthy Must Brick! Must Bricks were a t
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Part two of our article on Sulfites will discuss the history of its use in winemaking, its benefits and the pitfalls of omitting them. Part one was premised by a notion of purism in winemaking as a reason to avoid them. Some say that their grandparen
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How do you bring out the best in your Sauvignon Blanc? Some of the most common commercial fermentationtechniques include stainless steel fermentation, barrelfermentation, and wild fermentation. Sauvignon Blanc isknown for its crisp, refreshing f
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If you are looking to venture into craft beers, try making a red ale. Red ale is a great transition to craft beers because it has a full-bodied flavor, but it is not too strong and doesn’t have an overly hoppy taste. It has a malty, caramel-like swee
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All natural beer flavorings can be used as a substitute for actual spices by adding them to your brew during the fermentation process. The flavorings can give your beer a variety of different flavors, such as citrus, hops, and other spices. Thes
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The use of sulfites is one of the hottest debates in winemaking. It is such an important topic, it will be addressed in two separate blog posts. Part two will be in your next newsletter. First let’s deal with what sulfites are, where they are found,
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Deep in the heart of every wine lover, there is a hidden desire to make your own vintage entirely from scratch. For many, making wine means more than just getting drunk. It’s a labor of love that requires patience, skill and proper technique. And whe
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As a beer or winemaker, you are always fretting about the importance of sanitation, quality and safety. Star San is an ideal sanitizing solution for your beer and wine because it is composed of a safe blend of chemicals that effectiv
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When you make your next batch, you might want to spend a little extra time to make your yeast selection. You have hundreds of engineered beer yeast choices at your disposal, and all of them will leave their unique stamp on your beer! Prior to th
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You may not know it, but the temperature at which your wine is fermented can have a profound impact on your results. Here are four ways that different fermentation temperatures can affect your wine:1. Yeast ActivityYeast is responsible for converting
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There's a reason Pinot Noir is known as the heartbreak grape. This finicky grape is notoriously difficult to grow and even more difficult to produce into a high-quality wine. But when done right, Pinot Noir can be absolutely stunning. What are some t
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When it comes to beer, there are a variety of different ways you can give your brews citrus flavors. Some of the most common methods include using citrus fruits or citrus zest in the brewing process, as well as adding citrus-based hops to the recipe.
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If you feel like you're fighting a losing battle to avoid bacterial contamination in your beer making process, you're not alone. Bacteria can thwart your beer at any stage of brewing, from the raw materials to the finished product. Even after your be
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If you're looking to add a touch of luxury to your home-made liquor without spending a fortune, then liquor essences are the way to go. By simply adding these essences to your liquor, you can instantly transform it into something that tastes far more
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If you love Moscato, you’re not alone. It is a white wine variety that has been enjoyed for centuries. If you still aren't satisfied with your results, there are easy changes you can make to your process that can help. How, and in what you ferment yo
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If you’re interested in making beer and wine, but you’re worried about how to start, you’re not alone. From the outside, it can seem very daunting. You might follow social media pages or forums and find nothing an endless stream of contrary informati
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Welcome to your new blog about home beer and winemaking! We are excited for you to embark on this journey and explore the world of brewing and winemaking together. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned home brewer, this blog is here to help you disco
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You might be thinking about mixing things up for your next batch. Here’s a quick overview of how different grains will affect the body, flavors and colors of your beers. With the growing craft beer industry, brewers are now experimenting with differe
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