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Your Fermenter Is Not a Countertop(Post)
Most wine and beer makers understand the importance of sanitizing. They know that wild yeast, bacteria, mold, and other contaminants can ruin a batch. Because of that, sanitation gets talked about con
Will Malolactic Fermentation Improve my Wine?(Post)Today, we're delving into the intriguing process of malolactic fermentation (MLF.) It can be a key player in the winemaking process, but there are instances where it should be avoided. Since it is har
Fermentation Temperature Is Not Room Temperature(Post)When you choose a yeast strain, you are not just choosing a flavor profile. You are choosing a temperature range you need to maintain. That matters because your brewing conditions change throughout th
How to Avoid Stuck Fermentation(Post)Stuck fermentation is a common issue in the world of brewing and winemaking, but it's one that can and should be avoided with the right knowledge and techniques. This article will guide you through th
Can You Fix a Wine That Fermented Too Hot?(Post)Every winemaker eventually has a fermentation that gets away from them. Maybe the room warmed up during the day. Maybe the yeast took off faster than expected. Maybe the fermenter was larger than usua
Controlling Fermentation Temperatures in Beer Brewing and Winemaking(Post)One of the most important considerations for homebrewers and winemakers is limiting fermentation temperatures. Both brewing and winemaking rely heavily on maintaining a consistent temperature througho
Oxygenating Your Wort Before Fermentation: Techniques for a Healthy Start(Post)Alright, brewers—let's talk oxygenation. Sure, you know yeast needs oxygen to thrive, but here’s the thing: oxygenating your wort at the right time is key to setting your beer up for success. And that
The Lifespan of Yeast Nutrient: A Crucial Factor in Fermentation(Post)While organizing your workshop, you find a bag of yeast nutrient you didn’t know you had. You might think that now you can wait to buy more because you have enough for the new batch you are planning.
Chilling Out: The Art of Cold Fermentation in White Wine Making(Post)Winter is the perfect time to make your summer whites. The temperature at which you ferment your white wine is not just a minor detail. In this article, we will investigate what happens when you ferme
Wort Aeration: A Crucial Step to Prevent Stuck Fermentation in Homebrewing(Post)In homebrewing, ensuring a healthy and active fermentation is paramount to producing high-quality beer. One often overlooked yet critical step in this process is wort aeration. Proper aeration provide
Sweet Choices: Corn Sugar vs. Granulated Sugar in Fermentation(Post)Whether you’re brewing beer or making wine that require sugar additions, one of the first questions you’ll face is: What kind of sugar should I use? If you are a winemaker working from grapes or a bee
Should You Check your PH before Fermenting?(Post)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. M
Does your Wine Need an Airlock During Primary Fermentation?(Post)If you’ve ever started a batch and found the airlock filled with wine the next day, you know how much of a mess it can cause. The use of airlocks during primary fermentation for wine is a common pract
The Cold Break Explained: Clearer Beer Starts Before Fermentation(Post)Beer makers should take wort chilling seriously. It is easy to think of chilling as a practical step that simply gets the wort cool enough for yeast, but that misses what is really happening. Chilling
Stuck Fermentation or Infected Wine? Fortification Turns a Setback Into Art(Post)You open your fermenter and something feels wrong. The airlock has gone quiet too soon. Your gravity has stalled at 1.028 and refuses to move. Or worse, a thin pellicle has formed across the surface.
Making a White or Fruit Wine? Your Fermentation Options Matter More Than You Think(Post)When you make a white wine, fruit wine, blush, or rosé, you are usually chasing something delicate. You want the wine to smell fresh before the first sip. You want the fruit to come through clearly. Y
The Role of Grape Seeds in Red Wine Fermentation: Enhancing Flavor and Tannin Balance(Post)When it comes to crafting high-quality red wine, every detail matters – from selecting the right grape variety to the fermentation process. While many home winemakers use wine kits or fresh juice buck
Do All Beer Grains Have the Same Amount of Fermentable Sugar?(Post)Sugars in grains make your favorite brews possible, but they're also a source of great variability and potential confusion. So, let's dive into the sweet world of sugars in grains and understand how t
Fusel Alcohol, An Important Type of Alcohol and You've Probably Never Heard of It(Post)You often read about temperature ranges for fermenting your wines. You probably think this just has to do with yeast activity. Yes, yeast prefers the Caribbean to the mountains however, there is anoth
If You're Not Using Yeast Energizer?(Post)People like to say that little things mean a lot, because sometimes they really do. When you are preparing a batch of wort or must, small details can matter most for your yeast to transform them into
A Little Headspace: Understanding Your Wine's Needs(Post)Today, we're going to delve into the somewhat misunderstood concept of headspace in the fermentation process. Just like we get into different moods and go through different phases of life, so does our
Winemaking Is Not Baking: Why Fruit Refuses to Behave Like an Ingredient(Post)One of the most persistent misunderstandings in home winemaking is the belief that it should behave like baking. Follow a recipe. Measure carefully. Repeat the steps. Expect the same result every time
What Is the Difference Between Ale and Lager Yeast?(Post)When it comes to brewing beer, yeast plays a crucial role in determining your beer's flavor, aroma, and overall character. All beers fall into two umbrella categories: ales and lagers, and the type of
Why You Shouldn’t Stir After Adding Yeast to Your Wort or Must(Post)When making beer or wine, one of the most important moments is adding yeast to the wort or must. Many homebrewers and winemakers, eager to get things moving, cannot resist reaching for stirring spoons
Should Sugar Levels Determine My Winemaking Process?(Post)Every harvest is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you're gonna get. Even grapes from the same vineyard can surprise you year after year. Weather cycles, temperatures, and a myriad of other
Can I Use Wine Yeast for Beer, Beer Yeast for Wine or Bread Yeast for Either?(Post)When the time comes to choose your yeast, you have lots of choices. Ask what’s the best on social media and you’ll get a lot of different answers. So how do you know what to do? In the end, your selec
Can Old Brewing Equipment Ruin a Batch?(Post)Do Not Discover This on Fermentation Day You would be surprised how many panicked emails we receive from beer and winemakers who discover an equipment problem after the batch is already underway. Thei
Fruit Flies and Wine: A Serendipitous Symbiosis(Post)The tantalizing aroma of your favorite wine may owe a debt of gratitude to an unexpected source: fruit flies. However, the role these tiny creatures play is more coincidental than direct. Research led
The Zinfandel Grape: Unraveling the Secrets of an Enigmatic Ancient Treasure(Post)Have you ever wondered what specifically makes the Zinfandel grape so unique and enchanting? As you embark on your winemaking journey, let us delve into the captivating world of Zinfandel, exploring t
How to Select Yeast for Beer and Winemaking(Post)Yeasts are not the same. There are many choices and there is a good reason for it: each has its own special style. Yeast makes beer and wine, not us, so it is important to get the right one for the jo
What is Dry Hopping and Can You Use Hop Pellets?(Post)If you are a beer maker, you most likely have heard of dry hopping. If you've never tried it because you use hop pellets, you don't have to let that stop you. The simple truth is that dry hopping
Do You Have to Use Sulfites with Potassium Sorbate?(Post)Have you ever used potassium sorbate by itself and were disappointed by the banana off-flavors in our wine? To protect against infection or oxidation, sulfites can be a lone wolf. Potassium sorbate ho
TA and pH: Taste and Environment — The Two Pillars of Balance in Wine and Beer(Post)Introduction: Why Every Maker Should Care About Acidity If you’ve ever crafted a batch of wine or beer that tasted wonderful at bottling but somehow lost its spark a few months later—turning dull, clo
Mastering Must Preparation for Apples, Stone Fruits, and Berries(Post)A Practical Guide for Late Summer and Early Fall Harvests As the late-summer harvest arrives, many home winemakers look beyond grapes to apples, pears, peaches, plums, cherries, and berries. While the
Honey, Beer, and the Art of Buzzworthy Brewing(Post)Honey in beer making? You bet your sweet bumblebee! This versatile carbohydrate is a thrifty and widely used sidekick for craft beer professionals and home brewers alike. It's not only a great way to
Extended Maceration: A Deep Dive into the Art of Longer Skin Exposure(Post)If you are making wine from fresh grapes or kits that come with skins, you might have the common concern that most winemakers have about too much exposure to the skins and seeds. You fear your wi
Maximize Your Fresh Fruit Wine’s Potential: The Essential Role of Strainer Bags(Post)As a home winemaker, you may have come across social media posts showcasing neatly sliced fruits in water, poised for fermentation. While aesthetically pleasing, this method doesn't quite hit the mark
How Much Oxygen Does Your Wort Really Need?(Post)There is a moment in every brewer’s life when the hobby stops being “boil sugary grain tea and hope for the best” and becomes something sharper, stranger, and more satisfying. Maybe it happens after y
Rapid Wort Cooling: Why Speed Matters in Homebrewing(Post)The time right after the boil is one of the most critical moments in brewing, and it's often either overlooked or undervalued. Cooling your wort quickly isn’t just about making things easier; it's an
The Crucial Role of Sulfites in Winemaking from Fresh Grapes(Post)You might have been making wine from grapes and fresh juices for years. You might even be a multigenerational winemaker. Maybe you have sworn off sulfiting your must before pitching your yeast under t
Why You Should Be Using Potassium Sorbate in Your Wine(Post)Ever have a cork blow out of a bottle or wine that was carbonated? If you have, you were not happy about it and either scenario can and should be avoided. The solution is an inexpensive and simple fix
Can the Wrong ABV Ruin Homemade Beer and Wine?(Post)Imagine yourself as a tightrope walker, teetering high above the ground, balancing the fine line between alcohol levels and the other characteristics in your homemade beer or wine. It's important to u
Want Better Color and More Fruit Flavor? Pectic Enzyme Is Your Friend.(Post)Pectic enzymes are an essential component in the winemaking process if you are working with fresh grapes and other fruits. They provide you with many advantages that contribute to the quality of your
The Best Adjunct Grains for Beer Head Retention(Post)When you pour a beer and see a thick, creamy head form at the top of the glass, you are looking at more than just foam. That head plays an important role in the overall drinking experience. It carries
You Should Always Use Distilled Water with Wine Kits(Post)Though you pay attention to even the smallest details, like carefully sanitizing your equipment and taking diligent OSG measurements, have you also considered the water? Let’s explore why distilled wa
How All-Grain Brewing Lets You Control Sugar and Beer Body(Post)A Hands-On Guide to Sugar Control Through Three All-Grain Beer Kits Most brewers start by focusing on what goes into their beer. Ingredients matter, but as you gain experience, you begin to realize th
Brewing Beer with Wheat: Wheat Beers Decoded(Post)You've mastered the art of barley, but have you ever taken a walk on the wheat side? If not, let's delve into the fascinating world of wheat beers and uncover what makes them so refreshingly unique.Wh
IBU vs ABV: How Bitterness and Alcohol Are Engineered for Synergy(Post)When you look at a beer label, it is tempting to treat ABV and IBU as separate statistics. Alcohol by Volume tells you how strong the beer is. International Bitterness Units tell you how bitter it wil
Bold Beers Teach You. Simple Beers Test You.(Post)When selecting a beer kit, new brewers often see long lists of ingredients, specialty grains, hops, yeast, flavor additions, and detailed steps and immediately think, “That one is too advanced for me.
The Science Behind How Mash Temperatures Craft Your Beer's Flavor Spectrum(Post)How well do you control your mash temperatures? The key is a careful balance between your chosen malt and the precise temperature at which you mash it. Grab your brew paddle. Let's embark upon the sea