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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.
Rice Hulls: A Simple Defense Against the Dreaded Stuck Sparge(Post)Ever find yourself in the middle of a brew day, only to be thwarted by a stuck sparge? You know that moment when your mash decides to transform into a stubborn, gelatinous blob that refuses to let any
Storing Your Wine Bottles with Natural Corks on Their Sides: A Simple Hack(Post)Storing wine bottles with natural corks on their sides isn't merely a space-saving strategy or an aesthetic preference; it's an essential practice to ensure the quality and longevity of your wine. If
How to Make Beer and Wine at Home: A Simple Guide for Newbies(Post)If you’ve found this article, you’re already ahead of many beginners. The world of home brewing and winemaking can be overwhelming, especially with the sheer volume of advice available online. From Yo
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
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
Sweetening the Deal: Mastering the Art of Sugar Measurement and Liquification for Home Winemaking(Post)In a perfect world, additional sugar is not necessary and, if you are working from high quality grapes, you won't need to add it. But if you are working with lower quality grapes or other fruits, uppi
Removing Chlorine and Chloramine from Tap Water for Beer Making(Post)If you are a homebrewer, you are likely using tap water. If you have had results with plastic, medicinal or band aid off flavors and aromas, chlorine and chloramine are the causes. While brewers can t
Protecting Wine During Extended Bulk Aging(Post)Advanced Airlock Management for Serious Home Winemakers Bulk Aging Demands a Stable Airlock When you decide to bulk age a wine for six, nine, or twelve months, you are choosing a chemical process that
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
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
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
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
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 Great Escape: Why Your Airlock Won't Stay Put in Your Carboy(Post)You're in the throes of your winemaking adventure, everything is going swimmingly, and then - bam! Your airlock decides it's had enough and makes a break for it. It's a common, yet hilarious, hiccup i
What Are the Advantages of Wine Bases?(Post)Vintner's Best: A Practical Approach to Homemade Wine.Vintner's Best Wine Bases are a practical and cost-effective solution to your home winemaking aspirations. The wines they produce are very respect
Thomas Jefferson: The Founding Father of American Wine(Post)As we prepare to gather around the grill and crack open celebratory brews this July 4th, let’s raise a glass to an often-overlooked facet of American history: Thomas Jefferson’s pioneering influence o
The Magic of Brown Sugar and How You Can Make It(Post)Today, we're diving into the sweet, sticky world of brown sugar and how it can transform your homemade beer and wine into something truly special. If you’ve ever wondered why your brew doesn’t have th
Introducing Volume Savings: Build Smarter Orders and Make Your Shipping Go Further(Post)At Label Peelers, value has always been about more than one product price. It is about your total order, your shipping cost, and how much you get out of every shipment. That is why we created Volume S
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
Why Do Wine Bottles Have Punts?(Post)Ever found yourself staring at the bottom of your wine bottle, intrigued by that peculiar dimple? Before your thoughts start swirling like a nice Chianti, we’ll uncork this mystery faster than you can
The Finer Wine Kits Novello Series: A New Era of Lower ABV Wine Kits(Post)Wine kits are evolving, and the Finer Wine Kits' Novello Series is a testament to this evolution. This unique wine kit is not just another low ABV wine kit; it's a revolution in the world of home
Wine Aging Explained: Time Is the Project Manager, You're the Boss(Post)Young wine is a crowded employee meeting where everyone talks at once. Alcohol keeps interrupting. Tannin is being rude. Oak has prepared a very long presentation about oak. Acid is asking pointed que
A Domestic Decision: Finer Wine Kits' Quest for Quality(Post)In the complex realm of winemaking, the quality of ingredients is paramount. This principle is deeply ingrained in Finer Wine Kits' philosophy, leading to their choice to exclusively use California so
Base Malt Is the Architect. Specialty Malt Is the Designer.(Post)One Builds the Beer; the Other Adds the Finishing Touches Specialty grains tend to get all the attention. They have memorable names, dramatic colors, and obvious jobs. Chocolate malt adds roast. Cryst
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
Two Malts, One Color, Completely Different Beer(Post)It is easy to assume that grains with similar Lovibond ratings will behave similarly in your beer. After all, the number is precise. It suggests control. If two malts sit in the same color range, they
Your Wine Cellar Does Not Need to Be Perfect—but It Does Need to Be Dark(Post)Why Light May Be a Bigger Storage Threat Than Small Temperature Fluctuations Home winemakers spend a lot of time worrying about temperature. Is the basement too warm? Did the room climb a few degrees
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 Essential Guide to Using Dark Malts in Home Brewing(Post)You're here because you've got a burning desire to know more about the grains that make your favorite stout and porter beers.The grains you choose for your beer are like the foundation of a house. For
What is Cold Crashing in Beer Making?(Post)Ever wondered how your favorite brew gets that crystal-clear look and crisp taste? Well, it's all thanks to a nifty process called 'cold crashing'. It's like a winter vacation for your beer, and it's
Do Wax Seals Help Preserve Wine in the Bottle?(Post)You've been nurturing your wine like a newborn baby, checking in on it, turning it, talking to it, maybe even singing it a lullaby or two. You've been patient, you've been diligent, and finally, your
Bacteria in Hoses: the Importance of Cleaning and Regular Replacement(Post)You face the ongoing and invisible battle against bacteria that can grow in your clear hoses. In this article, we will explore the various types of bacteria that can infiltrate your hoses, techniques
Don't Use Specialized Cleaners? It Might Explain the Off Flavors in Your Beer and Wine(Post)You’ve got all the best ingredients to make your wine and beer, but there's one thing you might be overlooking - the cleaners specifically designed for your beer and winemaking equipment. Now, yo
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
5 Brewing Techniques Best Learned by Using Beer Kits(Post)If you have been brewing for a while, you already understand the basics. You know how to boil, ferment, and package a solid beer. But what separates a good brewer from a truly versatile one is not rep
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
The Glass Carboy: A Beer and Winemaker's Best Friend That Has Trust Issues(Post)If you've found your way here, you're probably looking for some inside scoop on the enigmatic glass carboy, that bulbous, necked vessel that's as integral to the home beer and winemaking process as fr
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
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
No One Can Taste It for You(Post)I usually try to keep myself out of these articles. Not because I do not have opinions, but because your beer and winemaking aspirations should be the center of the conversation, not me. But every so
Pale Wine, Heavy Punch(Post)By the looks of the wine in this picture, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a light rosé. Guess again. I am at the beach in Italy with my family, technically on vacation, though I apparently n
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
How to Rescue a Wine That Tastes Flat(Post)Every winemaker eventually faces this moment. You take a sample from the carboy, raise the glass, take a careful sip, and something is missing. The wine is not spoiled. It is not obviously flawed. It
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
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
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
How to Brew Better Summer Beer with Adjuncts(Post)Summer beer should be refreshing, flavorful, and easy to enjoy when the weather is warm. That does not always mean your beer has to be light in flavor. It means you want your beer to feel right for th
The Realities of Aging Wine: Is Older Always Better?(Post)Comparisons to fine wine abound when it comes to aging gracefully, but is the analogy justified? Do all wines age well? Does aging potential come from the wine, the storage or both? In this article, l
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