ingredients

There is a rich history of brewing throughout Scandinavia, Northern Europe, and the Baltic countries. From Norway, to Lithuania, to Russia, traditional farmhouse beers have been drunk by locals for centuries. Yeasts local to each area have shaped regional flavors and brewing traditions. These domesticated, local yeasts are known as landrace yeasts. What Is A … Read more

For a large portion of brewers and craft beer enthusiasts, hops are the be-all-end-all of beer. Providing bitterness, flavor, and aroma, the Humulus lupulus is an extremely important plant for brewers. There are hundreds of hops on the market, with the list growing larger every year. Certain classics – whether that’s citrusy American Cascade and … Read more

There are a lot of reasons to grow your own hops. Unique flavors, fresh hop beers, organic hops, and plain-old-fashioned badassery to name a few. This guide contains everything you need to know to grow hops successfully. How to Grow Hops Hop growing starts with a rhizome being planted in early spring. After watering, feeding, … Read more

Dry yeast or liquid yeast – what should you use for your next batch of homebrew? Liquid yeast has long been thought to be a superior product. But dry yeast technology has advanced to offer some amazing and versatile yeast options. We’ll explore the differences between liquid and dry yeast and highlight some of our … Read more

There is something innate in all us that wants to design and create. You’ve probably brewed a batch or two of beer following someone else’s recipes. This is a great way to get started in homebrewing but there will come a time when you’ll want to venture into the realm of recipe design. We’re here … Read more

If you like brewing a wide variety of beer styles, you’ll need to use a wide variety of yeasts. At $3 to $10 per pack, yeast can be expensive! What if you could reuse your yeast while maintaining very healthy fermentations, saving money and making amazing beer? Washing yeast is the process of rinsing a … Read more

The world’s finest beers are brewed using noble hops. From pristine German lagers to assertive Belgian ales, these European hops bring elegant nuance. Noble hops are a cornerstone of traditional brewing and have cemented their place at the pinnacle of fine brewing hops. What Are Noble Hops? Noble hops are a group of traditional European … Read more

New England IPA relies on pungent, fruity hops to create a juice-like beer with a soft mouthfeel. To maximize this tropical juicy character and smooth body, yeast plays a crucial role. Yeast selection for New England IPA differs from traditional American IPA. Yeast derived fruity esters contribute to the juicy flavor profile desirable in NEIPA. … Read more

A mainstay in homebrew recipes for decades, dextrin malt is said to boost mouthfeel, body, and head retention in beer. Considered a simple fix for many homebrewing problems, dextrin malt is a mysterious product with a complicated story. What is dextrin malt? Dextrin malt is a type of malted barley used in brewing to increase … Read more

Crushing grain is the first step of the brew day for homebrewers. Properly crushed malt is one of the most important parts to making great tasting all grain beer. Instead of buying your malt pre-crushed, why not start crushing your own? Crushing your own malt makes better quality, more consistent beer and saves you money. … Read more

From pale yellow, to jet-black, beer comes in a massive range of colors. The darker the beer, the more toasty and roasted it will taste. Brewers use roasted grains to achieve specific flavors and colors depending on the beer style. Although homebrew shops offer a wide array of specialty grains, homebrewers might want to try … Read more

Traditional Norwegian farmhouse yeast, called kveik, has recently exploded in popularity world-wide. Brewers are embracing this unique type of yeast for its range of uses and high fermentation temperatures. This growing interest has spurred the rise of many new commercially available kveik strains. LalBrew Voss Kveik Ale Yeast is a brand new dry yeast from … Read more

Most homebrewers rely on commercial yeast strains to ferment their beer. As a healthy fermentation is one of the most important aspects of brewing, it’s always a safe and predictable decision to use store bought yeast. But what if you could find great tasting wild yeast right in your own backyard? Capturing wild yeast is … Read more

If you are a homebrewer, you have at least heard of yeast starters. You are probably even thinking that you want to make one for your next batch of nutty Peanut Butter Porter or juicy New England IPA. This is a good idea. Actually, it’s a great idea. Yeast starters are an easy way to … Read more