Category: Pre-Brew

Tip: Labeling Your Kegs, Carboys, and Fermentation Buckets

Have you ever looked at a keg, fermentation bucket, or carboy and wondered, "Wait, what's in this one?" Wouldn't it be nicer to take a quick glance at your keg and know, this is my German Pils, which is 5.2% ABV, and was brewed on 2018/12/18? Or look at a fermentation bucket, and know it's your Irish Red, which was brewed on 2019/02/16, and the target FG is 1.009? A simple label will make your life SO...MUCH...EASIER. Here are three simple ways to label your kegs and fermenters.

Keeping a Homebrew Log – Notes You Should Take for Each Beer

Are you keeping a homebrew log? If not, why not? Are you overwhelmed by the hundreds of data fields in your homebrewing software/app? Ever considered creating your own homebrewing log as an alternative? In this Homebrew Note, I shed some light on things you should consider tracking and a method for doing so. I even provide a template log that you can modify to fit your specific needs.

Tip: The Many Homebrewing Uses for Mason Jars

Most homebrewers have a ton of gear. Some of these things get frequent use and are worth every penny while others sit aside and gather dust. Some things get replaced with the new and improved versions of gear we already have. Then there are some things that are just staples of the brewhouse that everyone should own. I propose that the humble Mason jar is one of those staples. It's versatile, simple, and best of all, cheap for what it provides your home brewery. Let's have a look at the many homebrewing uses for Mason jars!

Making Multiple Yeast Starters in a Pressure Canner

Liquid yeast is awesome for one primary reason - variety. This variety enables you to choose a yeast that helps you achieve the precise flavor profile you're targeting. It gives you flexibility in esters, attenuation, alcohol tolerance, fermenting temp ranges, and more. However, if you're using liquid yeast, you're almost certainly going to need a starter and starters can be a pain in the ass to make on a one-at-a-time basis. That's why I, and many other people, create multiple starters at once by pressure canning them. If you aren't familiar with pressure canning, it may sound daunting but it really isn't. You just need to understand the key components of the process. So let's get to it!

Making a Yeast Starter

This Homebrew Note assumes you know why pitching adequate yeast is important and how to calculate the appropriate amount of yeast to pitch. If not, read the Note on Calculating How Much Yeast to Pitch first. In this Homewbrew Note, you'll learn how to make a yeast starter for your liquid yeast.