BREWER'S NOTES & NEWS ARTICLES
111Take a peek inside the minds of some of the industry's finest brewing experts! Learn the tips and tricks we've discovered to help advance your homebrewing ventures.
November 09, 2023
Top 10 Homebrewing, Cider Making, and Hard Seltzer Articles
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October 15, 2019
How to Build a Brew Cave
The Brew Cave: the crown jewel of the homebrewer's humble abode. In this guide, you'll find top recommendations for b... Read More
June 06, 2019
How to Pour a Proper Beer
Follow these 4 steps to minimizing agitation and pour the very best pint possible. Read More
February 06, 2024
5 Game Day Food and Beer Pairings That Win Every Time
For some, the big game will end in joyous uproar at the victory of their chosen team. For others... not so much. The ... Read More
November 26, 2021
Homebrew Supply Shortages Call for Fresh Ideas
Tastes have become recipes. Those recipes have met practices on brewdays, and then found their way through the cell m... Read More
November 23, 2021
Stout-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe
I love food, and I love beer, and as a homebrewer I love to incorporate my homebrew into my food. Read More
November 23, 2021
Intergalactic Brain Rescue Pale Ale Recipe
A brain vacation into outer space, thanks to the heady, high-alpha tropical-fruit funk of Galaxy hops. Read More
November 23, 2021
Minnesota Stars and Northern Brewer Announce Partnership
“We’re excited to begin working with Northern Brewer to develop a homebrew kit that can help bring our fans together ... Read More
November 23, 2021
New Year's Champagne Cake Recipe
Serve with a flute of good champagne (or match to whichever alcohol you used). Now, don't forget to start a batch of ... Read More
November 19, 2021
Belgo-American Brown Recipe
Recipe concoction: Chizzer Wizzer Belgo-American Brown, or a Chuzzer Wuzzer Belgo-American Pale. Read More
November 16, 2021
Infusing Alcohol with Peppers, Lavender, and More
Recently, I made a habanero-infused vodka. This isn’t an infusion for the weak of heart. It’s as hot and intense as i... Read More
April 29, 2021
24th Annual Big Brew Day 2021 -
Go Big Brew or Go Home May 1, 2021 is National Homebrew Day! And what better way to celebrate than by collectively br... Read More
March 05, 2021
Witch Hunt: Craft Beer’s Coven
International Women’s Day has been celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women fo... Read More
February 01, 2021
Homebrewing for Valentine's Day
Good beer is one of my passions, and my wife shares a passion for good food and drink: so began a brew day with my wife. Read More
August 12, 2020
Spent Grain into Pretzels Recipe
Not only does spent grain allow you to reuse your grain, but it also creates healthier food options for you and your ... Read More
August 19, 2019
Brewing With Dad
Sharing the homebrew experience with a parent or child can be one of the most rewarding parts of brewing. See how the... Read More
August 05, 2019
Top 5 Tips for Brewing Beer Outside
A lot of brewers start out their first handful of brew days in the kitchen, but if you're itching to move your setup ... Read More
August 01, 2019
Beer and Your Body: The Alcohol Hangover
The best cure for a hangover is to avoid getting one altogether. Learn what causes the dreaded beer flu, and how you ... Read More
May 17, 2019
Brewing TV Homebrew Videos
Brewing TV is a place where brewing communities can connect and hear about what homebrewing has been, what it is, and... Read More
May 16, 2019
Troy Loken - #BrewingWithDad
Troy Loken is a Dad of two and the e-mail marketing specialist at Northern Brewer. He is an incredible father with a ... Read More
May 16, 2019
Todd Jackson - #BrewingWithDad
Todd is a brewer with 14 years of experience, and a Dad of a 6-year-old boy. Check out Todd's life lessons and favori... Read More
May 16, 2019
Laura Edwards - #BrewingWithDad
Laura has been brewing with her Dad for 4 years. Today, Laura helps customers all over the U.S. learn how to make bee... Read More
May 16, 2019
Justin Winkelman - #BrewingWithDad
Justin Winkelman is a dad of two little girls who love to help out on brew days. He's a big fan of making kombucha an... Read More
May 16, 2019
Jamie Penick - #BrewingWithDad
Jamie is raising the next generation of homebrewers. In this article he'll chat about his kids and share his favorite... Read More
May 16, 2019
Gesta Lexen - #BrewingWithDad
Gesta is the Director of HR at Northern Brewer. He's a new brewer and a new dad eager to share what his recommendatio... Read More
May 16, 2019
Dan Banken - #BrewingWithDad
Dan is a product manager at Northern Brewer. He's a 'Dog Dad' to an adorable pup named Luna, and he loves taking her ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Instructions and How-To Guides for Beer and Wine Making
Comprehensive list of instructions for using your first beer making kit to setting up a kegging system at home. Read More
October 23, 2018
Charlie Papazian & The Complete Joy of Home Brewing
That all went away the minute I opened my second-hand copy of “The New Complete Joy of Homebrewing” by some guy named... Read More
October 23, 2018
The Ultimate Brewery Road Trip
Pack your bag and pilgrimage to 70 of the top-ranked breweries in the world. Read More
October 23, 2018
Beer Halls: A Good Excuse to Get Social
We hear all the time about the dangers of being addicted to our phones, social media and screens in general. Know wha... Read More
October 23, 2018
Breweries That Go Above and Beyond
Breweries are increasingly becoming integral centers of our communities by routinely providing fun, flavor, and festi... Read More
October 23, 2018
Minnesota's Women Brewers
When it comes to brewing, women don’t mess around. We’re proud to count many of these brewers among our friends and b... Read More
October 23, 2018
The History of Oktoberfest, Lagers, & Lederhosen
The weather is changing, the days are shortening, and one of my favorite beers is finding its way onto the shelves. Read More
October 23, 2018
BBQ and Homebrew Food Pairings
As summer draws near, it brings with it two unshakable constants of warm weather: beer and grilling. Read More
October 23, 2018
How to Shorten Your Brew Day
Smash beers are a great way to simplify your Brew Day. They are easy to develop and easy to piece together from your ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Get in Gear for Summer Beer
The backyard, patio or driveway is the best place to bask in what little gorgeous brewing weather some of us actually... Read More
October 23, 2018
Northern Brewer Partners with Pints for Prostates
Northern Brewer is partnering with nonprofit, Pints for Prostates, to raise awareness of prostate cancer and help tho... Read More
October 23, 2018
St. Patrick's Day and Beoir Bhaile
Brewing for any Holiday allows you to get into the spirit of things a few weeks early, but this is especially true fo... Read More
October 23, 2018
Farley's Feature - Innovation
Good beer was good beer because the brewers of these beers suffered and toiled to make them, as was the tradition! Read More
October 23, 2018
Homebrew Hacks, Tips & Tricks
Up your game and impress your friends with these homebrewing hacks, tips & tricks! Read More
October 23, 2018
Beer Nerd Book Club - "IPA" by Mitch Steele
We're here to discuss the new, hotly anticipated book, "IPA: Brewing Techniques, Recipes, and the Evolution of India ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Beer Nerd Book Club: "Extreme Brewing" (Deluxe Edition)
Includes a bunch of awesome recipes from Sam, Dogfish Head staff, fellow brewers, and collaborators. Read More
October 23, 2018
Inside the White House: Homebrew Recipes and Video
Regardless of your political leanings, I hope we can all agree it's pretty cool to see homebrew recipes being made in... Read More
October 23, 2018
Shining Star Pale Ale: A Success!
Cheers to good works, good beer and the beautiful game! Read More
October 23, 2018
Big Brew for National Homebrew Day 2012
Traditionally, clubs and friends gather to make these recipes for a sense of national community. Read More
October 23, 2018
What to Brew for Weddings
When I hear about friends getting engaged, my first response is, "What kind of beer do you want for your wedding?" Read More
October 23, 2018
Weyermann® Oak-Smoked Pale Wheat Malt Recipe
My observation after 18 years of brewing and judging beer is that folks either hate smoked beers or love smoked beers. Read More
October 23, 2018
Guess That Beer: Mystery Quad from Brewing TV #58
Also known as, "St. Edhar 12 First Among Equals" - as seen in "Brewing TV - Episode 58: Guess That Beer." Read More
October 23, 2018
Homebrewing Clubs: The Iowa Brewers Union
The concept of a homebrew club is difficult to describe to the uninitiated. Read More
October 23, 2018
Shining Star Pale Ale for The Sanneh Foundation
This is a very mellow crystal malt with a nuanced flavor. The end result is an easy-to-like Pale Ale that supports a ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Chip's Frozen Beer Experiment
Ever wonder how long it would take homebrew to freeze -- or least get seriously slushy -- on a below freezing Minneso... Read More
October 23, 2018
The Daylesford Abbey Project
Everyone knows brewing beer is fun. But brewing beer with the purpose of supporting a non-profit service community is... Read More
October 23, 2018
Maple Syrup Coffee Bacon Beer
Bacon Beer Brew Day Maple syrup, bacon, and coffee are all tasty treats in my book, so when I heard that a tiny brewe... Read More
October 23, 2018
Brewing for the Holidays
There are two highly enjoyable roles of homebrew in my book: brew for my own everyday consumption, and brew for gathe... Read More
October 23, 2018
A Discussion with Jerrod Johnson (Surly Brewing Co.)
Brewing TV's Jake Keeler moderates the discussion/Q&A in which Johnson talks about how he got into the brewing bu... Read More
October 23, 2018
As Real As It Gets: 19% Beer
A 19% alcohol beer. Bad idea? Travesty or culmination? Is this crazy drink a figment of some deranged imagination? Read More
October 23, 2018
A Discussion with Kristen England
Northern Brewer hosts a discussion with award-winning homebrewer and soon-to-be professional brewer Kristen England. Read More
October 23, 2018
Minneapolis Home Brew Day is December 10th!
Mayor R.T. Rybak and the City of Minneapolis have proclaimed Saturday, Dec. 10th “Minneapolis Home Brewing Day.” Read More
October 23, 2018
Bikes at Northern Brewer
We're a beer-loving company, but we also try to be thoughtful about our impact on our community and surroundings. Read More
October 23, 2018
Pork Chops with Imperial Wit Mustard Sauce Recipe
The basis of any classic preparation lies in simplicity - get the details right, and everything else will fall into p... Read More
October 23, 2018
BTV Tasting Notes – Rapture & Wet Wookiee
Tasting notes on Dawson's Rapture Smoked Oatmeal Something and Wet Wookiee Barleywine. Read More
October 23, 2018
Jan Roten & Roten Jan Flemish Red Recipe
Incorporate it in succession into two different 5-gallon batches of Caribou Slobber brown ale - punched up with Brett... Read More
October 23, 2018
Homebrewing in Madison, WI
"We headed up stairs through the majestic and beautiful Wisconsin State Capital building and I found myself in a smal... Read More
October 23, 2018
Notes on a Brewday: St. Edhar 8
Ah, the middle ages. What is it about monastic beers that's so evocative of older times? Read More
October 23, 2018
Clemifornia Commontine
Brewed by Chip Walton in Brewing TV - Episode 29. Read More
October 23, 2018
Brewing TV; More from the Widmer Bros.
The Origin of Widmer Brothers American Hefeweizen, and the brothers' first account. Read More
October 23, 2018
Brewing TV interviews Gordon Strong
Brewing TV talks with BJCP President and style guidelines guru Gordon Strong. Read More
October 23, 2018
Eye of the Sun Winter Ale Brew Notes
If you've got a fridge with a temperature control or a reliable basement, make a deliriously hot day the event to bre... Read More
October 23, 2018
John Ireland Blvd. Bitter Recipe
I checked my fridge & found two packs of Neobritannia yeast, perfect for brewing my mood: Bitter Read More
October 23, 2018
Secret Important Brew Day Tools
This isn't something we think of as a brew house tool, but I can't say how often in a brew day I'll need to randomly ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Pan Borracho Recipe – Making Bread with Beer
When life gives you lemons... make a shandy! When life gives you undercarbonated beer? Bake with it! Read More
October 23, 2018
Update: Emma (and Emma’s Ale)
Thanks to you, the homebrewing community, together we have raised $8,000 in donations to the Children's Hospital of MN. Read More
October 23, 2018
Warminster Standard English Bitters Recipe
Warm bread-dough and caramel with appropriately subtle earthy, resiny, tobacco-like hop aromatics. Read More
October 23, 2018
Why You Should be an AHA Member
Make the investment, make sure your voice will be heard, make sure there will always be a great homebrewing scene in ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Drinking Beer in Chicago
In the cocked-eyebrow, mischievous corner of my brain lives a dream scenario wherein I leave the Twin Cities on the e... Read More
October 23, 2018
Jake's Craft Brewers Conference 2011 Recap
Every time we attend a craft beer event, we run into old friends, make new ones, and re-establish that lineage. Read More
October 23, 2018
Scum and Villainy IPA Brew Notes
Scum & Villainy IPA: Sorachi Ace, homegrown Centennial, staggered dry hopping with Glacier and Columbus, blah bla... Read More
October 23, 2018
Helles VII Recipe
House beer: do you have one? A brew that you always keep on hand, or at least return to frequently? Read More
October 23, 2018
Kinderweisse Cheese Fondue Recipe
Kinderweiss Cheese Fondue Serves 8. Serve with fresh fruits and cubes of day-old country bread. Read More
October 23, 2018
St. Patrick's Day and What to Drink
March seventeenth lays a feast upon Irish tables & a wellspring of firkins upon Irish pubs. Read More
October 23, 2018
Beer Engines: "All Aboard!"
Our authentic British beer engine is manufactured by Harry Masons. Comes with plastic nut, tail piece, compression wa... Read More
October 23, 2018
Simplicity Makes the Best Beer and Dinner
The monk-brewers of some of the Trappist monasteries make what are, to my mind, some of the most jaw-dropping beers o... Read More
October 23, 2018
Cask Beer Conditioning and Serving
Some folks have the idea in their heads that real ale is naturally "warm and flat". It is severely improper to assume... Read More
October 23, 2018
Beer Delivery Trucks Through the Years
Anytime you see a beer delivery truck, honk out of respect for our beloved brethren. Read More
October 23, 2018
Brew Day Diversions
Crossing things off the to-do list while getting a brew day in is great, but I'll also over commit myself at times, w... Read More
October 23, 2018
NB Milwaukee Celebrates 1 Year Anniversary
It's been one amazing year since Northern Brewer Milwaukee has opened and we hope you have enjoyed this past year as ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Seared Strip Steak with Beer Braised Greens and Reduction Recipe
This dish pairs naturally with brown and Scottish ales – don't feel afraid to pair a bold red wine like Cabernet or S... Read More
October 23, 2018
Book Review: Cellarmanship by Patrick O'Neill
"Cellarmanship" is nice addition to any beer geek library and is small enough that it can fit into your back pocket f... Read More
October 23, 2018
Hopbursted Clustercream Recipe
Does everything happen for a reason? Does every batch of homemade beer have something to teach us, as brewers and as ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Cloverland Resinator India Red Ale Recipe
Spring-run beers reflect a certain amount of cabin fever -- or shack nasties, depending on where you hang your waders... Read More
October 23, 2018
Steamed Mussels with Saffron-Dubbel Broth Recipe
The dish naturally pairs well with Belgian ales, especially dubbels and tripels, or perhaps a geuze. Read More
October 23, 2018
Brewing with NeoBritannia Yeast
The yeast makes this incredibly soft and round, with a pronounced nuttiness that I think a lot of people are constant... Read More
October 23, 2018
Composting Your Spent Grain
Oddly, procrastination of the most reeking grade also held a last glimpse of a spring season's worth of great pints. Read More
October 23, 2018
Saison Regalitarian Recipe
This is a winner of a mash schedule, and a real good recipe to boot. Read More
October 23, 2018
Beer and Your Body: The Beer Goggle Effect
Although heavier drinking can lead to temporary strabismus and amblyopia, it is still unnclear whether alcohol has a ... Read More
October 23, 2018
Gasto Non Grata; Brewing at the Triple Rock Social Club
If you can brew beer next to a stage at a show, you can brew beer pretty much anywhere. Read More
October 23, 2018
How to Make Beer Waffles - Yeah We Said Beer Waffles
Here's a twist on a hair-of-the-dog theory, add a bottle of your favorite homebrew to this quick and easy waffle batt... Read More
October 23, 2018
Annual Big Brew Day 2010
Northern Brewer folks gave their brand new Top Tier stand a run-through with 30 gallons of Oktoberfest. Read More
October 23, 2018
Cooking with the Belgians
If you have any interest in cooking insanely delicious Belgian-style food, you really should locate a copy of this co... Read More
October 23, 2018
Finnish Sima for Vappu (May Day) Recipe
Sima is a May Day drink, but can be enjoyed throughout the spring and summer. Read More
October 23, 2018
Why Beer Tastes so Good with Food
As the long summer days of grilling and enjoying your hard labors of spring brewing approach, here's a little food fo... Read More
October 23, 2018
AK-747 Pale Mild Recipe
A beguiling complex of wildflower honey, biscuits, fresh bread, and a striking but not unpleasant waft of sulfur you'... Read More
October 23, 2018
Hunter S. Thompson on Homebrewing
Few may realize that Thompson was, in fact, a homebrewer for a time, and a very early homebrewer at that. Read More
October 23, 2018
What is the National Homebrewers Conference?
The NHC is put on by the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) and local organizers (read: homebrew clubs). Read More
October 23, 2018
Fish in Rolled Oats Recipe
A light breakfast stout or potentially a classic English nut brown would make a tremendous pairing with this flavorfu... Read More
October 23, 2018
NB Brews with MN Historical Society and Gastro Non Grata
History + beer fondue + brewing = fantastic. Cheers to all involved. Read More
October 23, 2018
5 Things Made Better by Homebrewing
Cornbread, fishing, art, and more! Beer makes everything better. Read More
October 23, 2018
Drinking Beer in Bamberg, Germany
All of the famous and not-so-famous beer styles of Bavaria can be found and enjoyed here, but Bamberg's claim to fame... Read More
October 23, 2018
Classic State Fair Food & Beer Pairing
Why do we go to the State Fair? To eat all of the delicious things. Why else do we go to the State Fair? To drink beer. Read More
October 16, 2018
How To Brew For Oktoberfest
As the BJCP Style Guidelines suggest, the aftertaste of an Oktoberfest “encourages another drink.” No complaints there. Read More
September 30, 2018
The Best Beers to Pair With Turkey Dinner
Thanksgiving: all 48 of your cousins descend upon one house, ready to eat, drink, be merry, and ask endless questions... Read More