Expert Knowledge Base

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Whether you're brewing your first batch of beer or your 50th, the brewmasters at Northern Brewer have created a complete knowledge base of articles to help you concoct the perfect homebrew!

Overhead view of brew kettle on a stovetop with hops.

January 28, 2026

Why Brew an Oatmeal Stout at Home

Oatmeal stout delivers rich chocolate flavor, gentle roast, and a silky mouthfeel. Discover what oats add to beer and why this style is such a great choice for homebrewers. .. Read More

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How to Make Beer at Home

November 12, 2025

How to Make Beer

Clean. Brew. Ferment. Bottle. It's as easy as that. If you can make mac 'n' cheese, you can brew beer. .. Read More

The best holiday gift guide!

October 29, 2025

The Best Holiday Gift Guide For Homebrewers

Don't just give them a shiny box to unwrap. Give them an experience. .. Read More

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Image of the Fresh Harvest Fruit Wine Making Kit on a wood table with a glass of wine surrounded by different types of fruit.

October 16, 2025

One-Gallon Fruit Wine Recipes | Master Vintner® Home Winemaking Guide

Making wine from fruit is one of the easiest and most rewarding home winemaking projects. Whether you’re using freshly picked fruit, frozen fruit, or juice, small-batch winemaking lets you experiment with flavor, sweetness, and style — all while learning the fundamentals of fermentation. .. Read More

Close-up of a spoon lifting wet crushed grains from a mesh brew bag, showing wort beneath.

September 15, 2025

How to Make Non-Alcoholic Beer at Home with the Hot Mash Method

Curious about brewing your own non-alcoholic beer? Our Hot Mash Method is a simple, homebrewer-friendly approach that delivers real beer flavor with minimal alcohol. Learn how to mash, hop, ferment, and finish a crisp, clean NA beer. .. Read More

Digital pH meter lying next to a pint glass of golden beer with a foamy head.

September 15, 2025

Understanding and Adjusting pH in Non-Alcoholic Beer: Safety, Stability & Brewing Success

Brewing non-alcoholic beer changes the safety game. Without alcohol’s natural antimicrobial protection, your pH becomes the single most important factor in preventing spoilage, off-flavors, and even serious health risks. In this guide, we break down why pH matters, the exact numbers you should ta... .. Read More

Crushed grains steeping in a mesh brew bag during a cold mash at room temp

September 15, 2025

Cold Mashing for Non-Alcoholic Beer: Pros, Cons & Our Results

We experimented with cold mashing as a way to brew non-alcoholic beer and really wanted it to work. The low effort was appealing, but we consistently got a raw grain flavor and more alcohol than expected. Here’s what we learned — and what to watch for if you’re giving it a try. .. Read More

The History of Oktoberfest, Lagers, & Lederhosen

September 11, 2025

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

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How to Make Hard Cider

September 10, 2025

How to Make Hard Cider at Home

Sparkling, still, sweet, dry, strong, or mild - make it how you like. All you need are crisp, delicious liquid apples and 30 minutes. .. Read More

Image of Stainless Steel Conical Fermenters. Why Should I Use a Conical Fermenter?

September 09, 2025

Why Use a Conical Fermenter?

Conical fermenters are the gold standard of beer-making. You know those enormous metal tankards you see at professional breweries? Those are conical fermenters. Those used in homebrewing are exactly the same, but on a much smaller scale.   .. Read More

Pumpkin patch

August 31, 2025

Three Twists on Our Classic Pumpkin Ale

If you’re looking to give your Smashing Pumpkin something extra this year: make it bigger by going imperial pumpkin, make it into a pumpkin porter, or go all out with a pumpkin spice pastry stout. .. Read More

Sorachi Ace: The Japanese Hop That Found a Home in American Craft Beer

June 12, 2025

Sorachi Ace: The Japanese Hop That Found a Home in American Craft Beer

Originally bred by Sapporo, Sorachi Ace was too bold for Japan’s lagers—but American brewers saw its citrus-herbal flavor as the perfect twist for modern craft beers. .. Read More

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Our Top 10 Articles on Homebrew, Cider, Hard Seltzer, and More

June 02, 2025

Top 10 Homebrewing, Cider Making, and Hard Seltzer Articles

We gathered our top 10 articles based on performance over the last year and our customers did not disappoint. .. Read More

Keg with pressure gauge setup for force carbonating hard seltzer

May 28, 2025

From Brew Day to Tap in 2 Weeks: Fast Kegging for Hard Seltzer

Want clean, crisp hard seltzer on tap in just 2 weeks? Learn our proven method to ferment, clear, keg, and carbonate faster—no secondary, no bottling, no wait. .. Read More

Image of a glass of brandy on a wood table with a dark background

May 19, 2025

How to Make Brandy (Types, Tips, and Step-by-Step Guide)

Curious about brandy? Discover how it's made, the different types like Cognac and apple brandy, and get a step-by-step overview of the distilling process. .. Read More

Image of a glass of brandy surrounded by grapes in a vineyard

May 19, 2025

How to Make Brandy Using a Wine Kit

Explore how to create brandy using a wine kit, from fermentation to distillation and aging. Ideal for small-batch producers looking to expand their craft. .. Read More

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Kegged Cocktails: Easy, Sparkling, Delicious

May 11, 2025

Kegged Cocktails: Easy, Sparkling, Delicious

Summer is the season of outdoor get-togethers, backyard barbecues, and hanging out by the water. Of course, we are fans of having a cooler full of cold beer for such occasions, but another great option for warm weather enjoyment is kegged cocktails. .. Read More

BBQ and Homebrew Food Pairings

April 23, 2025

BBQ and Homebrew Food Pairings

As summer draws near, it brings with it two unshakable constants of warm weather: beer and grilling.  .. Read More

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Three Glasses of Bourbon and piece of wheat on a Slate counter with a white background.

April 18, 2025

Exploring Bourbon Styles for Craft Distilling: Traditional, High Rye, and Wheated

Curious about the differences between traditional, high rye, and wheated bourbon? Learn how each mash bill shapes flavor and explore kits for your next craft batch. .. Read More

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Corn field at sunset with tall green stalks—ideal grain crop for brewing, distilling.

April 16, 2025

Corn in Homebrewing: Forms, Flavor & How to Use Them

Corn: it’s not just for macro lagers anymore. Craft brewers and distillers have taken this humble grain and run with it—digging into heirloom varieties, rethinking adjuncts, and embracing what corn can really do. Spoiler: it’s more than you think. .. Read More

Steamy cereal mash in a brew kettle—used to gelatinize grains like corn or rice before all-grain brewing.

April 16, 2025

How to Perform a Cereal Mash (Step-by-Step)

Unlock the Power of Raw Grains with a Cereal MashWorking with unmalted corn, rice, or oats? You’ll need more than a standard mash to break them down. Enter the cereal mash—a time-honored technique that cooks stubborn starches into a fermentable feast for your yeast. Whether you're chasing heirloo... .. Read More

Image of a Milwaukee pHMeter of light grey background

April 08, 2025

Milwaukee pH Meters for Brewing, Winemaking, and Fermentation

Accurate pH monitoring is critical for fermentation success — from optimizing mash efficiency in beer to preventing spoilage in wine or hot sauce. In this guide, we compare three trusted handheld meters from Milwaukee Instruments: the pH54, pH55 PRO, and pH56 PRO. Whether you need simple, budget-... .. Read More

Image of a Marine Beer on a wood table with a blue and white Oktoberfest napkin under it. A German pretzel is in the background with wheat

April 04, 2025

Marzen: Just what the heck is “March Beer” anyway?

Marzen as we know it is a moderately strong, amber-colored lager that traces its origins back in the brewing tradition to something brewed early in the year to be enjoyed later. .. Read More

Filtering Your Homemade Wine

February 05, 2025

Filtering Your Homemade Wine

One way to elevate your wines to a higher level of perfection is by employing filtration. Using wine filters can bring a host of improvements—from enhancing appearance to stabilizing the final product. .. Read More

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How to Lager. Picture of beer in a Northern Brewer glass.

January 18, 2025

How to Lager

Think: Pilsner, Oktoberfest, the coveted Bocks brewed by German monks for centuries. Mmmm. .. Read More

Reviving Poland’s Iconic Grodziskie Ale

November 14, 2024

Reviving Poland’s Iconic Grodziskie Ale

Poland’s brewing tradition is celebrated through the revival of Grodziskie, also known as the “Champagne of Poland,” a distinctive, sessionable smoked wheat ale with a rich history. Now, White Labs has created WLP548 Original Grodziskie Yeast Blend, a limited release strain designed to capture th... .. Read More

Beer in a glass mug on a wood table with dandelions

May 28, 2024

Dandelion Beer Recipe: A Springtime Treat

Ever heard of dandelion wine, but what about dandelion beer? Dive into making this unique brew with our guide and two exciting recipes. Discover how to use the whole plant—roots, leaves, and flowers—to create a rustic beer reminiscent of early American settlers. Perfect for traditionalists and ad... .. Read More

Hop Rhizome FAQs

May 01, 2024

Hop Rhizomes FAQs

Want to grow your own hops? Read the answer to frequently asked questions about hop rhizomes, and you'll be harvesting your own crop in no time! .. Read More

Root Shoot Malting Sign in Front of Sunset

March 27, 2024

Homebrewing with Root Shoot Malting's Award-Winning Malt

Root Shoot Malting prides itself on making world-class malt for homebrewers and professional brewers. The family-farm and malt house located in Loveland, Colorado, grows and malts its own barley and grains, putting a unique touch on each one.  .. Read More

Distillation Set-up at Rahr Technical Center

March 21, 2024

Distillation with BSG, Still Spirits, and Rahr Technical Center

What better way to learn about distillation than from the experts? No, not us - our friends at Still Spirits, BSG HandCraft, and Rahr Technical Center. Northern Brewer visited the RTC for a two-day master class in distilling using the Still Spirits Air Still and The Grainfather G30. .. Read More

Close-up of a pint glass filled with nitro stout

March 14, 2024

Nitro Beer 101: How to Set up Equipment for Serving Homebrew on Nitro

Looking to add a velvety smooth mouthfeel to your next homebrew? Serving your beer on nitro is easy and results in an absolutely beautiful pour. The best nitro beers (and most common) are typically roasty stouts and porters - but you can add nitrogen to any beer style. And we’re here to show you ... .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Riesling

March 07, 2024

Wine Style Focus: Riesling

A grape that can display incredible balance and complexity while still being immensely enjoyable and versatile, the venerable Riesling is a wine-lover's dream. .. Read More

Unlocking the World of Lager: Choosing the Right Yeast for Your Homebrew

February 05, 2024

Unlocking the World of Lager: Choosing the Right Yeast for Your Homebrew

In this article we look at the fascinating journey that lager yeast took from the wild landscapes of Patagonia to modern day breweries around the world, and get tips from Fermentis on choosing the right lager strain for your homebrewed lager beers, including SafLager W-34/70, SafLager S-23, SafLa... .. Read More

5 Game Day Food and Beer Pairings That Win Every Time

January 11, 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 good news? Beer and snacks never lose.  .. Read More

Irish Ales Are Brewing: A Beer Kit Breakdown

January 08, 2024

Irish Ales Are Brewing: A Beer Kit Breakdown

Our Irish ale beer kits create a full spectrum of flavor in three sessionable homebrews: Irish Blonde Ale, Irish Red Ale, and Dry Irish Stout. .. Read More

cup with hops, cinnamon sticks, ginger root inside

November 17, 2023

Superior Christmas Ale Variants: Make Your Spiced Holiday Ale Even More Festive!

‘Tis the season for spiced holiday beers, and our Superior Christmas Ale beer recipe kit brings layered flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and honey to the holiday party. These three variant suggestions -- Imperial, Maple Bourbon Barrel, and Hot Pepper -- will make for even more holly and jolly imbibing. .. Read More

5 (Pretty Easy) Ways to Brew Better Beer

November 09, 2023

5 (Pretty Easy) Ways to Brew Better Beer

Completely new to homebrewing? Have quite a few beers under your belt? Both new and intermediate brewers can take their beer to the next level with just a few technique tweaks or equipment upgrades. Here are our top 5 ways to make your beer better. .. Read More

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21 Homebrewing Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner

November 09, 2023

21 Homebrewing Lessons I Wish I’d Learned Sooner

Whether it’s something that saves you time, money, or even space in your brew cave, there are plenty of ways you can make your hobby an even better experience. We asked Northern Brewer employees their recommendations for things they wish they’d known or purchased sooner and found answers for home... .. Read More

Getting Started With Kegging

October 30, 2023

Getting Started With Kegging

Learning to Keg Your Homebew Getting into kegging can be daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it, you'll be glad you started. .. Read More

How to Bottle Your Homemade Wine

October 26, 2023

How to Bottle Your Homemade Wine

You’re ready to finally bottle your wine?! You’ve waited a long time, so you’ll be happy to know this is one of the easiest steps. .. Read More

It's Never Too Late for Oktoberfest (or Mocktoberfest)

September 11, 2023

It's Never Too Late for Oktoberfest (or Mocktoberfest)

If you’re a homebrewer without the ability to lager or succumbed to a far-to-relatable level of procrastination - fear not, we have plenty of ways you can still brew a quick turning Oktoberfest. A Mocktoberfest, if you will. .. Read More

How to Add Fruit Flavor to Beer

August 31, 2023

How to Add Fruit Flavor to Beer

While you can add fruit or fruit flavoring to any style of beer, some styles lend themselves to being paired with fruit better than others.  .. Read More

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How to Make Wine From a Recipe Kit

July 21, 2023

How to Make Wine From a Recipe Kit

If you’re looking to make wine, it’s actually quite easy to get started with wine recipe kits. Using wine kits is the best place to start your wine making journey because kits simplify the wine making process from grape to glass. .. Read More

Troy Loken - #BrewingWithDad

April 23, 2023

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 passion for making and sharing wine. .. Read More

Jamie Penick - #BrewingWithDad

April 23, 2023

Jamie Penick - #BrewingWithDad

Jamie is raising the next generation of homebrewers. In this article he'll chat about his kids and share his favorite brewing product. .. Read More

Dan Banken - #BrewingWithDad

April 23, 2023

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 to breweries for belly rubs. .. Read More

Justin Winkelman - #BrewingWithDad

April 23, 2023

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 and shares his go-to starter kit here. .. Read More

Todd Jackson - #BrewingWithDad

April 23, 2023

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 favorite homebrewing product. .. Read More

Gesta Lexen - #BrewingWithDad

April 23, 2023

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 recommendations and lessons. .. Read More

Laura Edwards - #BrewingWithDad

April 23, 2023

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 beer. View Laura's favorite brewing product. .. Read More

Brewing With Dad

April 22, 2023

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 dads of Northern Brewer share the hobby! .. Read More

Fermentis SafBrew™ BR-8

January 16, 2023

Fermentis SafBrew™ BR-8

Bring “funky notes” to your beer with SafBrew™ BR-8, the first dry Brett for your bottle and/or cask conditioning! .. Read More

How to Make and Ferment Sauerkraut at Home

November 10, 2022

How to Make and Ferment Sauerkraut at Home

Making home-fermented sauerkraut is extremely easy and makes a delicious food packed full of probiotics, Vitamin C, and salty-tart flavor that can be used as a topping or eaten as a side dish like a slaw or salad. .. Read More

Beer Style Guide - Sour Beers

October 23, 2022

Beer Style Guide - Sour Beers

Sour beers range from a gentle sour tinge that helps provide complexity to ragingly mouth-puckering sourness. .. Read More

SafAle™ WB-06

May 18, 2022

SafAle™ WB-06: Give the character you want to your wheat beer styles

In this period of spring in the Northern hemisphere, with temperatures rising, it’s a great time to enjoy refreshing and drinkable beers, especially wheat beer styles. Let’s take a deeper look at a yeast specifically selected for wheat beers, SafAle™ WB-06. .. Read More

What is a Cold IPA and How Do You Homebrew One?

May 17, 2022

What is a Cold IPA and How Do You Homebrew One?

Cold IPA is the hottest… uh, coldest thing in craft beer right now. We look at the emerging style, what makes it different from other India pale ales, and get two recipes from professional brewers for you to brew at home. .. Read More

Brew an Authentic Floor-Malted Porter (aka a Floorter)

March 31, 2022

Brew an Authentic Floor-Malted Porter (aka a Floorter)

Mystery grist was carefully swept off the grain room floor. Hop dust was collected from the warehouse floor as well (we’re eco-friendly like that). All to debunk a centuries-old myth and correctly brew a beer we’ve been brewing wrong for hundreds of years. .. Read More

Homebrewing for Springtime

March 20, 2022

Homebrewing for Springtime

Anyone can grab a random seasonal beer on the way to the first BBQ of the season, but it takes a true, far-sighted homebrewer to anticipate this joyous moment and arrive with something brewed specifically for the occasion. .. Read More

Characteristics of SafAle™ BE-256 Belgian Dry Yeast

February 16, 2022

How Much Do You Know About SafAle™ BE-256 Belgian Dry Yeast?

SafAle™ BE-256 by Fermentis, formerly known as “Abbaye yeast”, is the perfect partner for a wide range of Belgian beers: Dubbel, Tripel, Quad, and of course abbey styles. SafAle™ BE-256 can be a perfect ally for many other beers as well. .. Read More

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Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit Buyer Guide

January 13, 2022

Northern Brewer Homebrewing Starter Kit Buyer Guide

Whether you’re looking for yourself or for a friend wanting to get into the hobby of home brewing, you’ve come to the right place. There are a lot of options and while there’s no right or wrong choice, there are definitely options that can suit your specific needs. .. Read More

Christmas Ale Style with SafAle T-58™

December 07, 2021

Christmas Ale Style with SafAle™ T-58

All beers have their own characteristics - hop forward, high alcohol, dry, sweet, etc. During this winter period, one characteristic that’s often focused on is the spiciness that lends itself to the beer style now known as the Christmas Ale. .. Read More

Homebrew Supply Shortages Call for Fresh Ideas

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 membranes of various yeasts, until the whole was poured into pint glasses.  .. Read More

Stout-Braised Pulled Pork Sandwich Recipe

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

Intergalactic Brain Rescue Pale Ale Recipe

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

Minnesota Stars and Northern Brewer Announce Partnership

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 to enjoy the hobby." .. Read More

New Year's Champagne Cake Recipe

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 sparkling wine for use in next year's cake! .. Read More

Belgo-American Brown Recipe

November 19, 2021

Belgo-American Brown Recipe

Recipe concoction: Chizzer Wizzer Belgo-American Brown, or a Chuzzer Wuzzer Belgo-American Pale. .. Read More

Infusing Alcohol with Peppers, Lavender, and 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 it sounds. .. Read More

Expert Tips for Brewing Coffee Beer

November 11, 2021

Expert Tips for Brewing Coffee Beer

Here at Northern Brewer Homebrew Supply, we love coffee almost as much as beer (well, maybe). And, we definitely love coffee beers. That’s why we were so excited to work with a local Minnesota roastery, Bootstrap Coffee Roasters, on our Blue Collar Coffee Stout beer recipe kit. .. Read More

A Buzz-worthy Partnership with Backstory Coffee Roasters

November 10, 2021

A Buzz-worthy Partnership with Backstory Coffee Roasters

Sharing roots in St. Paul, as well as a passion for unmatched ingredients, we’ve teamed up with Bootstrap Coffee Roasters to bring exceptional, Fair Trade Certified, and Certified Organic coffee into our beers. Read about our partnership and the beer that resulted. .. Read More

Ball Lock Kegs Vs. Pin Lock Kegs

October 07, 2021

Ball Lock Kegs Vs. Pin Lock Kegs

So you’re starting to get sick of bottling and want to switch to kegs, but have come to realize they come in all shapes and sizes and you’re not sure which is right for you? Some homebrewers have no preference between ball lock kegs vs. pin lock kegs - while for others it’s as much of a preferenc... .. Read More

Dry Yeast Version of Lutra Yeast from Omega

October 01, 2021

Omega Yeast's Dried Lutra Kviek Yeast

Playing off of the traditional drying practices Norwegian brewers use to preserve their kveik cultures, Omega Yeast is excited to announce Lutra® Kveik in a new dried format. Dried Lutra is the shockingly clean and versatile kveik strain brewers welcomed last year, now easily accessible worldwide. .. Read More

Grainfather Comparison Guide

September 29, 2021

Grainfather Comparison Guide

Grainfather equipment ensures anyone can brew professional quality craft beer, no matter their brewing experience. With top-of-the-line construction and a 3-year warranty, you can rest assured you’re getting a product where satisfaction is guaranteed. .. Read More

Comparing Yeast Strains for Hard Cider

September 23, 2021

Comparing Yeast Strains for Hard Cider

Each year, during fall harvest and apple season, we get asked a lot of questions about making hard cider at home. To help answer those questions, Northern Brewer team members Chip and Dan set up a taste panel for a batch of hard cider that was split six ways and fermented with six different yeasts. .. Read More

Brew Now for Later: What Beer Styles Benefit from Aging

September 20, 2021

Brew Now for Later: What Beer Styles Benefit from Aging

It’s true that some things get better with age. While many beers are best enjoyed fresh, others benefit from time left to condition and come into their own. In this video, we taste their way through two of Northern Brewer’s higher-alcohol beer kits to highlight the benefits of aging homebrew. .. Read More

Exploring diversity of cider profiles through the selection of new yeast strains

September 01, 2021

Cider and How Various Yeast Strains Affect Them

Yeast strains have a huge impact on cider profiles, not only in terms of fermentation performances and analytics, but also from a sensory perception. Cidermakers can experiment with them to achieve their final product target. Fermentis focused its research on the selection of valuable strains ded... .. Read More

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How to Make Mead Like a Viking

August 09, 2021

How to Make Mead Like a Viking

Drank by Vikings and their Norse Gods, sometimes even referred to as Nectar of the Gods, mead has been around for centuries and is possibly the world’s oldest alcoholic drink. .. Read More

Introducing Omega Yeast's Cosmic Punch: A Thiol-Boosting Version of British V

July 30, 2021

Omega Yeast's Cosmic Punch™

Cosmic Punch™ (OYL-402) is the first strain released as a part of a Thiolized™ series from our R&D team. Our Thiolized process enhances a yeast’s natural ability to biotransform compounds found in malt and hops to unleash thiols that evoke grapefruit, passion fruit and guava aromas. .. Read More

How to Make Mead at Home

July 01, 2021

How to Make Mead at Home

If you make your own wine, the transition to making Mead is easy, and the equipment needed is the same. .. Read More

RJS Craft Winemaking Brand Refresh

June 18, 2021

RJS Craft Winemaking Brand Refresh

Northern Brewer is excited to announce the launch of RJS Winemaking’s bold new packaging redesign to Cru International, Cru Select, and En Primeur Winery Series. .. Read More

SafAle™ BE-134: The Multi-Purpose Saison Dry Yeast

May 18, 2021

SafAle™ BE-134: The Multi-Purpose Saison Dry Yeast

The SafAle™ BE-134 is most often presented on forums and magazines as the “Saison yeast” and while it works perfectly in this style of beer, the sky's the limit when it comes to the imagination of homebrewers. .. Read More

Oxygenation - Aerating your wort

May 13, 2021

Aerating Your Wort

Aerating, or adding oxygen, to your wort is perhaps the easiest way to improve the quality of your homebrewed beer. .. Read More

Welcome Spring with a Maibock

May 13, 2021

Welcome Spring with a Maibock

While Oktoberfest may reign as the popular occasion to drink German beer, the Bavarian region blesses us with another seasonal beer to enjoy in the other half of the year. Brewed in Fall for Spring, the Maibock style is a stronger version of the German Helles or “light-colored” beer (aka Heller B... .. Read More

24th Annual Big Brew Day 2021

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 brewing some beer. Each year the American Homebrewers Association announces two recipes for Big Brew and this year they’ve chosen Janet’s Brown Ale and Star Gazer IPA. .. Read More

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Your Guide to the Essential (Beer) Worker: Fresh Yeast

April 29, 2021

Your Guide to the Essential (Beer) Worker: Fresh Yeast

Dry to liquid, lager to ales, we carry a lot of yeast strains. And some, like our Kveik strains, have been passed down for generations. Which means there's a lot of responsibility on our shoulders to make sure these billions of cells live their best life before they’re dropped into your fermenter. .. Read More

All Grain Brewing Glossary

April 23, 2021

Homebrewing Glossary

Glossary definitions for homebrewing terms from A to Z .. Read More

Homebrewing Instructional Videos

April 22, 2021

Homebrewing Instructional Videos

Find all of our instructional videos for starter kits, equipment, ingredients, specialty styles, and more on our YouTube channel. Subscribe and follow along on our homebrew journey covering everything from pitching yeast to kegging brew. .. Read More

From Bratwurst to Brat Wort: How to Make Your New Favorite Beer

April 01, 2021

From Bratwurst to Brat Wort: How to Make Your New Favorite Beer

Over the last few years, dessert beers have really had their time to shine. Pastry stouts, fruited sours, milkshake IPAs....but what about those of us born and bred in the Midwest who prefer something a little more savory? Where’s the umami? Where’s the crisp? Where’s the char? .. Read More

Witch Hunt: Craft Beer’s Coven

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 for more than a century. March 8 marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality through a number of missions, including inclusive workplaces so women can thrive. .. Read More

Homebrewing for Valentine's Day

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

How to Brew in a Bag

January 22, 2021

How to Brew in a Bag

Brew In A Bag, or as it’s commonly abbreviated BIAB, is an easy homebrewing method for going all-grain without adding too many new pieces of equipment into your homebrewery or adding hours to your brew day .. Read More

The Season for Beer

December 30, 2020

Fan-Favorite Winter Beers

Whether you're brewing for friends and family or just stocking up for the winter, these three homebrews are fan-favorites! .. Read More

New Strains from Omega Yeast

November 20, 2020

New Strains from Omega Yeast

Join us for a conversation with Omega Yeast about their two newest strains, Bananza and Sundew. .. Read More

Guide to Kveik Yeast

October 14, 2020

From Farmhouse to Fementer: Your Guide to Kveik Yeast

Kveik (pronounced kvike or kuh-vike) is the ancient super yeast you may have heard a lot of buzz about in the last few years. The word “kveik” is actually a dialect word for “yeast” in Norwegian and has been passed down for generations in traditional farmstead brewing. But it’s not just nostalgia... .. Read More

How to Kettle Sour Beer

October 07, 2020

How to Kettle Sour Beer

Kettle souring is a technique that allows brewers to rapidly sour unfermented wort in just a matter of days, often taking only a mere 24 hours. .. Read More

Q & A with Omega Yeast Labs

October 01, 2020

Q & A with Omega Yeast Labs

After consulting with my fellow brewers, I reached out to Lance Shaner, the Founder and CEO of Omega Yeast Labs, with some of our questions. .. Read More

How to Keg Beer

October 01, 2020

How to Keg Beer

Want to know how to keg beer? Watch this video and you'll be ready for your own kegging setup in no time! .. Read More

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How to Make Hard Seltzer: White Claw Clone

September 01, 2020

How to Make Hard Seltzer

At a time when hard seltzer is taking over the world, we thought we'd craft our own version and share the instructions with you so you can make seltzer at home....at a fraction of the cost!  .. Read More

How to Make Pumpkin Ale with Real Pumpkin

August 16, 2020

How to Make Smashing Pumpkin Ale with Real Pumpkin

There is one question we get asked A LOT during the fall and winter months - and that's how to incorporate real pumpkin in our Smashing Pumpkin Ale Beer Kits. .. Read More

How To Make Pretzels from Spent Beer Grains

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 home! .. Read More

Brewing Airlocks

July 30, 2020

Brewing Airlocks

An airlock is a piece of homebrewing equipment filled with sanitizer that prevents oxygen and bacteria from contaminating your fermenting beer. It allows CO2 to escape the fermentation vessel but will not allow in contaminants. .. Read More

How to Make Boozy Kombucha: Bottle of Kombucha Tea and Ingredients

June 18, 2020

How To Make Boozy Kombucha

Give you're kombucha an extra kick and learn how to make alcoholic kombucha. .. Read More

Chill Haze

June 18, 2020

Chill Haze

If you’ve ever poured an ice-cold craft beer like an IPA into a glass and it looked unfiltered when it was most definitely filtered, your beer might have chill haze. .. Read More

Stuck Fermentation

May 15, 2020

Stuck Fermentation

A stuck or sluggish fermentation is never fun. However, you need not worry we'll get your yeast activated in no time. .. Read More

Controlling Fermentation Temperature

May 15, 2020

Controlling Fermentation Temperature

Maintaining fermentation temperature within your yeast strain's preferred range will produce optimal beer. .. Read More

Cold Crashing for Crystal Clear Beer

May 15, 2020

Cold Crashing Beer for Crystal Clear Homebrew

Achieve crystal clear beer by using the method of cold crashing. Cold crashing is the process of lowering the temperature of the beer very quickly to near-freezing and holding it for about 24 hours. .. Read More

Picture of Beer Fermenting in a carboy with the words Big Mouth Bubbler on it

May 15, 2020

Fermentation

Fermentation is the scientific process of yeast, a single-celled organism, consuming sugars from various sources like malted barley, and converting them into Co2 and alcohol. .. Read More

Fermentis North East IPA Yeast Strains

April 17, 2020

Fermentis New England IPA Yeast Strains

The American Homebrewers Association reached out to Fermentis to put together 3 yeast strains for the Northeast IPA style beer. They, in turn, reached out to us here at Northern Brewer to sell the yeast. .. Read More

How to Make a Yeast Starter

April 09, 2020

How to Make a Yeast Starter

A yeast starter is a solution that enables yeast cells to propagate (or reproduce). It resembles a mini batch of beer, but is not meant for drinking. .. Read More

Hydrating Dry Yeast

April 08, 2020

Hydrating Dry Yeast

Yeast is fragile, but it does so much for us, a little pampering here and there isn't too much to ask. .. Read More

Image of a beaker of yeast on a black background

April 06, 2020

What is Beer Brewing Yeast?

What is brewing yeast? Why is brewing yeast? We're here to give you a history lesson in brewers yeast and an overview of how to use it. .. Read More

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How to Carbonate Beer in Bottles and Kegs

February 24, 2020

How to Carbonate Beer in Bottles and Kegs

Learn how to carbonate your beer in bottles and kegs using priming sugar or co2. .. Read More

Over Carbonated Beer in Bottles and Kegs

February 19, 2020

Over Carbonated Beer in Bottles and Kegs

CO2 can be treated just like an ingredient - it can dramatically change the flavor and experience of the beer.  .. Read More

How to Pour Beer from the Tap Without the Foam

February 19, 2020

How to Pour the Perfect Pint of Beer

Every homebrewer dreams of the day when they can kiss bottling goodbye.  Upgrading to a kegging system says a lot about you.   .. Read More

Pouring Beer From Tap

February 19, 2020

Carbonating Beer Using Specialty Techniques

Looking beyond just carbonating your beer using priming sugar and co2. .. Read More

Why Didn't My Beer Carbonate?

February 19, 2020

Why Didn't My Beer Carbonate?

Is your beer not carbonating? Check out these common causes. .. Read More

List of Sugars that can be Used for Carbonating Beers

February 19, 2020

Sugars Used for Carbonating Beer

A list of various sugars that can be used to carbonate your beer. .. Read More

One Family's History of Growing Hops

January 24, 2020

Growing a Hop Garden

Hops come in an industry stable form, nicely pelletized, vacuum sealed on nitrogen and include the alpha and beta acid levels right on the package. .. Read More

FEATURED
How To Grow Hops from Rhizomes

January 22, 2020

How To Grow Hops from Rhizomes

Considering growing hops? Here's a step by step process on how to grow your own hops. .. Read More

Step By Step Instructions: Kombucha Recipe

January 14, 2020

Step By Step Instructions: Kombucha Recipe

Once you have all the necessary [ingredients and supplies,] you can get started making kombucha with this 1 gallon recipe. .. Read More

How to Carbonate Kombucha

January 14, 2020

How to Carbonate Kombucha

Carbonation is naturally created while the SCOBY is converting the sweet tea to kombucha. However, this CO2 (carbonation) escapes through the butter muslin and doesn’t remain in the kombucha. To add a bubbly effervescence to your kombucha, you just have to follow these simple steps:  .. Read More

Kombucha Ingredients & Supplies

January 14, 2020

Kombucha Ingredients & Supplies

Making kombucha at home is easy, and doesn’t require much equipment or ingredients. Check out this comprehensive list for all the useful kombucha equipment.  .. Read More

How to Flavor Kombucha

January 14, 2020

How to Flavor Kombucha

There are three methods to adding flavor to kombucha: 1. In the Bottle, 2. In Primary Fermentation, 3. In Secondary Fermentation. Each of these methods have pros and cons, let’s run through them. .. Read More

What is a Kombucha SCOBY?

January 14, 2020

What is a Kombucha SCOBY?

A SCOBY is the actor that changes sweet tea to kombucha. The word SCOBY is actually an acronym that means Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast.  What does that really mean?  .. Read More

What is Kombucha? Blog Article

January 14, 2020

What is Kombucha?

Kombucha (kom·​bu·​cha | \ ˌkäm-ˈbü-chə) is a sweet tea that is fermented by a SCOBY. We all know what sweet tea is, but what is fermentation .. Read More

Pouring honey into a bucket for Making Mead

October 23, 2019

Making Different Meads: Braggot, Pyment, Melomel, Bochet, Metheglin, oh my!

Making Different Meads: Braggot, Pyment, Melomel, Bochet, Metheglin, oh my! Mead is one of the oldest and farthest reaching fermented beverages in the world. Where there's honey, there's mead. .. Read More

How to Build a Brew Cave

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 building your homebrew space. .. Read More

Ales & Lagers: What's the Difference?

October 01, 2019

Ales & Lagers: What's the Difference?

The main difference between an ale and a lager is the temperature they are fermented and stored at. .. Read More

Maple Syrup Coffee Bacon Beer

September 10, 2019

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 brewery in Florida had made a porter with all three of these flavors, I had to have it. .. Read More

6 Secrets for Making Better Mead

September 03, 2019

6 Secrets for Making Better Mead

Hitting your desired sweetness takes both skill and practice, but there are several things you should understand to help you get there. Check them out here. .. Read More

All-Grain Kits: Beer Recipes & Brewing Instructions

August 30, 2019

All-Grain Kits: Beer Recipes & Brewing Instructions

Northern Brewer has hundreds of recipe kits available for homebrewers. Here are the instructions for the beer kits offered online. .. Read More

Beer Grains: The Complete Guide for Homebrewers

August 23, 2019

Beer Grains: The Complete Guide for Homebrewers

From base malts to roasted malts, Northern Brewer has it all. Learn about the different types of malts and see a full list of every available grain. .. Read More

5 Easy Tricks for Boosting Yeast Health

August 22, 2019

5 Easy Tricks for Boosting Yeast Health

Taking care of your yeast is one of the best ways to make better beer. Are you following these tips yet? .. Read More

Extract Kits: Beer Recipes & Brewing Instructions

August 16, 2019

Extract Kits: Beer Recipes & Brewing Instructions

Full list of brewing instructions for extract versions of Northern Brewer beer recipes. .. Read More

What's The Right Amount of Yeast for Your Wine?

August 15, 2019

Do You Need to Make a Wine Yeast Starter?

Sprinkling dry yeast on the wine seems too easy. Is it too good to be true? .. Read More

11 Awesome Things To Keg (Besides Beer)

August 13, 2019

11 Awesome Things To Keg (Besides Beer)

Trying to justify a kegging investment? You can use it for more than just beer! Sparkling wine, kombucha, water and more - the possibilities are endless! .. Read More

Dry vs. Liquid Yeast Blog Article

August 09, 2019

Dry Yeast and Liquid Yeast

Dry or liquid yeast? What's the difference, and what's the best choice for your homebrew? Remember: brewers make wort; yeast makes beer. .. Read More

Ingredient Showcase: Biscuit Malt

August 07, 2019

What is Biscuit Malt: Know Your Home Brewing Ingredients

Biscuit malt is one of the most commonly used malts, but takes a bit of practice to get the character you're looking for. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Cabernet Sauvignon

August 06, 2019

Wine Style Focus: Cabernet Sauvignon

The King of Reds, with a loyal following and adoring mass of devotees, continues its decades-long reign over fine wine. .. Read More

What now? Beyond the Starter Kit

August 06, 2019

Beyond the Homebrew Starter Kit - Next Steps

So, you've brewed your first batch of homebrew. Maybe even your second or third. Now it's time to step up your game and take brewing to the next level. .. Read More

The Difference Between Whole Leaf Hops and Pellet Hops

August 05, 2019

The Difference Between Pellet and Leaf Hops

This guide outlines the differences between whole hops and pellet hops, as well as when you might want to use the different formats in your homebrew recipes. .. Read More

Brewing Outside

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 outside, here's what you'll need. .. Read More

Pouring Craft Beer From Tap

August 02, 2019

7 Crucial Reasons to Keg Your Homebrew

Kegging saves countless hours of time and frustration. Plus, you can drink your beer way earlier than if you bottled it. .. Read More

RECIPE: Fresh Orange-Carrot-Ginger Soda

August 01, 2019

RECIPE: Fresh Orange-Carrot-Ginger Soda

Craft soda is a great side project for homebrewers. It requires no extra equipment, and will be appreciated by the members of your squad who don't drink. .. Read More

Java Junkies, This One's For You

August 01, 2019

Coffee for Brewers

Northern Brewer reached out to one of our favorite local, fair-trade bean bros for his take on the latest coffee beer trends. .. Read More

How to Make Cold Brewed Irish Coffee

August 01, 2019

How to Make Cold Brewed Irish Coffee

Warm up with a traditional or cold-brewed Irish coffee. Your soul will thank you. .. Read More

How to Make Kombucha Tea at Home

August 01, 2019

How to Make Kombucha Tea at Home

Kombucha can be made from a variety of different tea blends and SCOBY. The best part is, you can brew kombucha at home very easily for pennies on the dollar. .. Read More

Clone the World's Best Craft Beers

August 01, 2019

Clone the World's Best Craft Beers

Ever wanted to try your hand at making your favorite commercial beer at home? Now you can! See our extensive list of clone beer recipes. .. Read More

Why You Should Always Brew With a Yeast Starter

August 01, 2019

Why You Should Always Brew With a Yeast Starter

Yeast starters: the easiest way to drastically improve the quality of your beer. Anyone can do it, and everyone should do it. .. Read More

Beer and Your Body: The Alcohol Hangover

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 can prevent it. .. Read More

The Complete Guide to Kegging vs. Bottling

August 01, 2019

The Complete Guide to Kegging vs. Bottling

To keg or to bottle, that is the question. Bottling is a great option for beginners, while kegging is a time saver and lets you drink your homebrew earlier. .. Read More

The Importance of Changing Your Draft Lines

July 31, 2019

The Importance of Changing Your Draft Lines

Bad keg lines can cause turbulence and unwanted off flavors in your beer, so keep it clean! .. Read More

Rice Beer

July 30, 2019

How to Make Rice Beer

Rice beer is popular among large, commercial breweries, but it is also a traditional brewing method used to produce fantastic beer around the world. .. Read More

Top 8 Summer Beer Styles and Recipes

July 25, 2019

Top 8 Summer Homebrewing Styles and Recipes

Summer beer isn’t just a refreshing beverage, it’s a vessel that captures the memories of an entire season. .. Read More

How to Bottle Mead

July 25, 2019

How to Bottle Mead

Beer bottles, wine bottles, Champagne bottles, Belgian bottles....what's the best option? .. Read More

Glass Carboys vs. Plastic Carboys

July 24, 2019

Glass Carboys vs. Plastic Carboys

This blog lists the pros and cons of both glass and plastic carboys. Brewers of all levels use both types of fermentors, but there are specific benefits to each type of carboy. .. Read More

Mighty Axe Hops Q&A with founder, Eric Sannerud

July 23, 2019

Mighty Axe Hops Q&A with founder, Eric Sannerud

We’d like to introduce Mighty Axe Hops and their CEO Eric Sannerud who was kind enough to hop into the spotlight and answer some questions. .. Read More

Mighty Axe Hop Farms: Welcome to the Future of Hops

July 19, 2019

Mighty Axe Hop Farms: Welcome to the Future of Hops

By constantly refining their process with research, Mighty Axe Hops is poised to become a hop growing powerhouse. .. Read More

Hop Varieties: Mighty Axe Feature

July 19, 2019

Hop Varieties: Mighty Axe Feature

Anticipating the need for this within the brewing industry, Mighty Axe Hops began tweaking standard hop growing practices to emphasize a hop’s quality beyond its bitterness. .. Read More

Mighty Axe Hops

July 19, 2019

Mighty Axe Hops

Mighty Axe Hops is a dream manifested by homebrewer Eric Sannerud and Ben Boo that was built from a class project. .. Read More

How to Bottle Beer at Home

July 16, 2019

How to Bottle Beer at Home

Step-by-step guide on how to bottle beer. Clean, siphon, prime, fill, condition, and enjoy! .. Read More

Starter Kit Video Instructions

July 16, 2019

Homebrew Starter Kit Video Instructions

Your beer starter kit just arrived on your doorstep. Now what? Watch the unboxing of Northern Brewer's most popular beer making kits. .. Read More

All Grain Brewing Video and Instructions

July 11, 2019

How to Brew All-Grain Beer

In this video, we’ll give you a crash course of everything you need to know to get started all grain brewing. .. Read More

How to Use Nutrients in Mead Making

July 08, 2019

How to Use Nutrients in Mead Making

By treating your yeast well and keeping them healthy you can avoid off-flavors in mead. .. Read More

FEATURED
How to Build a Keezer

July 02, 2019

How to Build a Keezer

The Keezer (n): a badass homemade kegerator. One of the single most satisfying projects a homebrewer can ever take on. .. Read More

Top 5 Ways to Improve your Wine Kit

June 27, 2019

Top 5 Ways to Improve your Wine Kit

While wine kits come with the ingredients to make a stellar bottle of wine, following a few of these tips can bring your creation to the next level. .. Read More

History and Characteristics of Pilsner

June 20, 2019

History and Characteristics of Pilsner

The light drinkability & refreshing qualities within this beer made it very accessible to the general public. It quickly found homes in pint glasses across the rest of Europe & the world. .. Read More

History and Characteristics of Blond Ales

June 20, 2019

History and Characteristics of Blond Ales

Blonds are characterized by their golden or light yellow hue. They are often malty with hints of fruit undertones & gentle spicy phenolics. Compared to a Pilsner, it’s slightly thicker & is generally defined as medium-bodied. .. Read More

How to Clean Brewing Equipment

June 18, 2019

How to Clean Brewing Equipment

Even if you follow every step of the brewing process to the letter, if you do it in dirty equipment, the resulting beer will be riddled with off flavors. .. Read More

How to Pour a Proper Pint

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

Brewing Terms You Should Know

May 20, 2019

Brewing Terms You Should Know

As you'll come to learn, brewing has its on language. From wort to LME to dry hops, here's some common brewing terms you can add to your lexicon. .. Read More

Northern Brewer TV

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 where it is going. .. Read More

How to Choose a Brew Kettle

May 14, 2019

How to Choose a Brew Kettle

Choosing the right brew kettle relies on brewing capacity. The kettle needs to be at least a few gallons larger than the volume of wort to be boiled. .. Read More

Mead Making Video

May 01, 2019

Mead Making Video

Mead is a wine made from honey and is possibly mankind's original fermented beverage. This video features award winning meadmaker Curt Stock. .. Read More

Beer Yeast Attenuation

April 17, 2019

Beer Yeast Attenuation

Attenuation refers to the quantity of sugar that's fermented by yeast. This can be very helpful when selecting a yeast strain for a recipe. .. Read More

How to Calculate Homebrew ABV

April 01, 2019

How to Calculate Homebrew ABV

What's the ABV%? How strong is my homebrew? How can I increase the alcohol content of my batch? .. Read More

Opening a Craft Beer Making Kit: 5 Legendary Reactions

March 29, 2019

Opening a Craft Beer Making Kit: 5 Legendary Reactions

The 2018 Limited Edition beer making kit is sold out, but keep your eyes peeled as Santa's brew elves are preparing the 2019 version. .. Read More

Brewing with a Small Batch Brewing Kit

March 15, 2019

Brewing with a Small Batch Brewing Kit

We have made the entry into Starter Kits even easier and removed the obstacles that may have been stopping you from brewing your own beer! .. Read More

Brewing with a Deluxe Brewing Starter Kit

March 14, 2019

Homebrewing with a Deluxe Homebrew Starter Kit

The best-selling beer starter kit in the history of beer. 20 years, thousands of brewers. Tried. Tested. Loved. .. Read More

Brewing with a Brew Share Enjoy™ Starter Kit

March 12, 2019

Brewing with a Brew Share Enjoy™ Starter Kit

This starter kit was designed by brewers to make it possible for anyone, anywhere to create an incredible batch of beer from the comfort of home. .. Read More

Homebrew Cheat Sheet: Liquid Volume Conversions

March 07, 2019

Homebrew Cheat Sheet: Liquid Volume Conversions

How many ounces in one liter of homebrew? What about in 375 mL? Can you do 500 mL to oz? 16 oz to mL? How many ounces to 750 mL? .. Read More

Homebrew Bottling Day

January 11, 2019

Homebrew Bottling Day

Typical beer bottles used in homebrewing are 12 oz brown bottles, but there are several varieties that can be used. .. Read More

How to Steep Grains When Home Brewing

October 23, 2018

How to Steep Grains When Home Brewing

During the Grain Steeping process, you will inject more flavor, color and/or body to your brew. The process is much like steeping tea, but with a larger amount of ingredients and a longer steep. .. Read More

How to Ferment Beer

October 23, 2018

How to Ferment Beer

This article covers the basics of homebrew fermentation, as well as all the equipment you'll need for a successfully fermented beer. .. Read More

Cleaning Up Your Homebrew Equipment

October 23, 2018

Cleaning Up Your Homebrew Equipment

 Clean up is fairly straightforward- simply use the cleaner to remove any deposits from your equipment and air dry.  .. Read More

Homebrew Preparation

October 23, 2018

Homebrew Preparation

Ensure you have the necessary equipment and ingredients to proceed with brewing. .. Read More

Boiling Wort

October 23, 2018

Boiling Wort

After you have steeped your grains, it is time to get boiling. Crank the heat to high.   .. Read More

Let's Brew

October 23, 2018

How to Prepare Homebrew Wort

To prepare "wort" by boiling malt and hops, chill the wort and pitch the yeast. .. Read More

How to Cool Wort

October 23, 2018

How to Cool Wort

Once the boil is over, you will need to cool the wort to prepare it for pitching the yeast.  .. Read More

How to Decontaminate Homebrew Equipment

October 23, 2018

How to Decontaminate Homebrew Equipment

Now that our wort is cooling off, it is time to prepare the fermenter and equipment for the fermentation.  .. Read More

Transferring Wort

October 23, 2018

Transferring Wort

Once the fermenter and equipment has been decontaminated and the wort chilled, it is time to transfer the wort from the kettle to the fermenter. .. Read More

How to Pitch Yeast

October 23, 2018

How to Pitch Yeast

Once the wort has been topped off and aerated, it is time to pitch the yeast. Pitching is the term brewers use for adding yeast to wort. .. Read More

Hard Cider Making Made Easy

October 23, 2018

Hard Cider Making Made Easy

Your hard cider will be fantastic on a hot summer day or a cool fall evening. .. Read More

Wine Making Videos

October 23, 2018

Wine Making Videos

 A selection of wine making videos for both experienced wine makers and beer brewers looking to try something new. .. Read More

How to Use a Hydrometer for Brewing and Wine Making

October 23, 2018

How to Use a Hydrometer for Brewing and Wine Making

The hydrometer measures the amount of sugar that is dissolved in water. Generally, this is referred to as Specific Gravity. .. Read More

Stuck Homebrew Fermentations

October 23, 2018

Stuck Homebrew Fermentations

Beer is a remarkably resilient thing, so don’t panic! A little TLC, and your batch will be right back on track again. .. Read More

How to Sanitize Homebrew Equipment

October 23, 2018

How to Sanitize Homebrew Equipment

To all the brewers that are now using alkaline cleaners instead of dish soap, you made my day; your brew will thank you. .. Read More

I Built a Brewery in my Basement

October 23, 2018

I Built a Brewery in my Basement

The goal was to build a brewery the could be used even when it was -25°F outside, with minimal brew-day setup. Mission accomplished. .. Read More

Partial Mash Walkthrough

October 23, 2018

How to Partial Mash Homebrew

By adding a "mini-mash" to standard malt extract brewing techniques, you can create a more complex malt profile and gain access to a wider palette of grains without a big investment in all-grain equipment.  .. Read More

How to Chill Wort on Brew Day

October 23, 2018

How to Chill Wort on Brew Day

Chilling the wort from boiling to yeast-pitching temperature as quickly as possible has a number of benefits, besides the time you’ll save. .. Read More

Blichmann Breweasy

October 23, 2018

Blichmann Breweasy

The BrewEasy™ is a revolutionary new ultra-compact and economical all-grain brewing system. .. Read More

Farley's Feature - All Grain Myths

October 23, 2018

Farley's Feature - All Grain Myths

Here are some of the most common myths holding brewers back from making the plunge into all-grain brewing. Sound familiar? .. Read More

St. Patrick's Day and Beoir Bhaile

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 for St. Paddy's. .. Read More

Northern Brewer Partners with Pints for Prostates

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 those affected by the disease. .. Read More

Get in Gear for Summer Beer

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 get during the year. .. Read More

How to Shorten Your Brew Day

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 stock at home. .. Read More

Happy to see MN leading the way when it comes to women brewers!

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 brew heroes. .. Read More

Breweries That Go Above and Beyond

October 23, 2018

Breweries That Go Above and Beyond

Breweries are increasingly becoming integral centers of our communities by routinely providing fun, flavor, and festivities. .. Read More

Beer Halls: A Good Excuse to Get Social

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 what's a great cure for that? Beer halls!  .. Read More

The Ultimate Brewery Road Trip

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

Charlie Papazian & The Complete Joy of Home Brewing

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 Charlie Papazian. .. Read More

Instructions and How-To Guides for Beer and Wine Making

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

The Last Straw Bottle Filler - From Keg to Bottle

October 23, 2018

The Last Straw Bottle Filler - From Keg to Bottle

The Last Straw™ makes bottling day a pleasure instead of a chore with ergonomic handling and quick response time giving you the ability to fill your bottles faster. .. Read More

Why to Bottle Homebrew Instead of Kegging

October 23, 2018

Why to Bottle Homebrew Instead of Kegging

By all means embrace the shiny new serving technology, but don’t disparage the simple brown bottle. You just might need some of them soon. .. Read More

Image of granular sugar on a table

October 23, 2018

Priming Sugars and Carbonation

Looking for the perfectly carbonated bottle of homebrew? Precise priming requires 3 pieces of information: Volume of the beer, Desired volumes of CO2, and The current temperature of the beer.   .. Read More

Kegging and Bottling Videos

October 23, 2018

Kegging and Bottling Videos

These videos will walk you through different ways of carbonating, storing, and serving your fully-fermented homebrew. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Sangiovese

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Sangiovese

Sangiovese also finds expression in the so-called "Super Tuscans" -- wines crafted, often on small estates, outside the regulations of the DOGC and labeled humbly as Vino di Tavola ("table wine"). .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Aromatic German Whites

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Aromatic German Whites

With more umlauts than an 80s hair metal tribute band, we break down the aromatic whites of Germany and Austria. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: South American Reds

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: South American Reds

Something of an incubator for offbeat or forgotten varietals, the vintners of Argentina and Chile have a way of making a grape their own. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Zinfandel

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Zinfandel

Big, bold tannin bombs, sweet and fruity blush wines, Italian Primitivo, American old vines: Zinfandel is a grape that has many labels, and bears them all well. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Merlot

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Merlot

A deep, sensuous shade in the glass; a grape that offers up a fruity bouquet; the most accessible of the red wines. .. Read More

High Alcohol Fermentations: 18% Dry Mead

October 23, 2018

High Alcohol Fermentations: 18% Dry Mead

18% is generally regarded as the upper limit for mead fermentations, as even the strongest wine yeasts struggle after this much alcohol is present.  .. Read More

Wine Tasting Tutorial

October 23, 2018

Wine Tasting Tutorial

Component tasting solutions are made in one-litre volumes, using any commercial bottled water that is free of flavour or minerals.  .. Read More

Making Hard Cider

October 23, 2018

Making Hard Cider with Pasteurized Juice or Real Apples

It's quite easy to make hard ciders just like the ones being produced at the many craft cideries that are popping up across the country. .. Read More

What is Secondary Fermentation

October 23, 2018

What is Secondary Fermentation

The duration of a secondary fermentation or conditioning phase can vary from as little as a week to over 6 months.  .. Read More

How To Dry Hop Beer

October 23, 2018

How To Dry Hop Beer

Dry hopping extracts the essential oils from hops and gives beer its fresh aroma. This is often done during secondary fermentation. .. Read More

Vanilla Porter Recipe

October 23, 2018

Vanilla Porter Recipe

Vanilla is used all over the place in baking, though, so I wonder if it wouldn't work well in other beers besides porters, stouts, and brown ales. .. Read More

Jake's BIAB CDA

October 23, 2018

Jake's BIAB CDA

This is a simple Brew-In-A-Bag recipe; a sessionable CDA, nothing crazy.  Here is the recipe. Cheers! .. Read More

How to Brew a Classic American Lager

October 23, 2018

Classic American Lager Recipe

Why did the American Lager come to be? By brewing with what our forefathers had on hand, of course, just like everyone else. .. Read More

Stovetop Brewing: The Texas Two-Step and Split Boil

October 23, 2018

Stovetop Brewing: The Texas Two-Step and Split Boil

Hopefully this will help some people keep brewing all-grain during the winter (or rainy days) and others who don't want to invest in a huge kettle for full volume boils. .. Read More

Advanced Wort Chilling

October 23, 2018

Advanced Wort Chilling

There’s more than one way to cool wort, and they’re not all created equal. .. Read More

Dry Hopping Your Homebrew

October 23, 2018

Dry Hopping Your Homebrew

Have you ever wondered how some beers get that amazing hop punch in the flavor and aroma? Part of it could be from dry hopping.  .. Read More

Homebrewing Clubs: The Iowa Brewers Union

October 23, 2018

Homebrewing Clubs: The Iowa Brewers Union

The concept of a homebrew club is difficult to describe to the uninitiated.  .. Read More

Guess That Beer: Mystery Quad from Brewing TV #58

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

Weyermann® Oak-Smoked Pale Wheat Malt Recipe

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

What to Brew for Weddings?

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

Big Brew for National Homebrew Day 2012

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

Shining Star Pale Ale: A Success!

October 23, 2018

Shining Star Pale Ale: A Success!

Cheers to good works, good beer and the beautiful game! .. Read More

Inside the White House: Homebrew Recipes and Video

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 the White House and into the national spotlight. .. Read More

Beer Nerd Book Club: "Extreme Brewing" (Deluxe Edition)

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

Beer Nerd Book Club - "IPA" by Mitch Steele

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 Pale Ale." .. Read More

Homebrew Hacks, Tips & Tricks

October 23, 2018

Homebrew Hacks, Tips & Tricks

Up your game and impress your friends with these homebrewing hacks, tips & tricks! .. Read More

Farley's Feature - Innovation

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

Corking Belgian Bottles

October 23, 2018

Corking Belgian Bottles

The equipment needed to do this is: 750ml Belgian Style bottles, Belgian beer corks, hooded wires, and an appropriate corker. .. Read More

Balancing Draft Systems

October 23, 2018

Balancing Draft Systems

Proper balancing of a draft system is key to excellent presentation and serving of your homemade and commercially produced beverages. .. Read More

How to Build a Kegerator

October 23, 2018

How to Build a Kegerator

Regardless of how long you've been brewing, bottling your beer is a tedious process. That's why many of us eventually decide to start kegging our homebrew. .. Read More

How to Switch From Homebrewing to Wine Making

October 23, 2018

How to Switch From Homebrewing to Wine Making

Got a few batches of homebrew under your belt but feel like trying your hand at wine? An easy thing with these few additions. .. Read More

Experimenting with Wine Yeast

October 23, 2018

Experimenting with Wine Yeast

I am especially excited about the French Saison strain, which is very attenuative and produces distinct spicy/lemony flavors. .. Read More

Yeast Experiment Round 3

October 23, 2018

Wyeast Yeast Experiment

A while back I posted about a yeast experiment that used 6 different ale yeast strains to make mead. Preliminary tasting results from five Northern Brewer employees are in, I've summarized them below. Some things I've taken away from this experiment: phenolic yeast strains really don't do well a... .. Read More

Spring Wine

October 23, 2018

Spring Wine

Instead of exerting control over all factors, as one constantly tries to in beer, you've got to let the wine control you. .. Read More

Tasting Showdown: Hard Cider vs. An Apple

October 23, 2018

Tasting Showdown: Hard Cider vs. An Apple

Who would win in a taste test? To find out I sat down with a classic food pairing - an apple and a glass of cider - and evaluated each. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Chardonnay

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Chardonnay

The range of flavors coaxed from this humble grape is truly astounding: from bright and crisp to dense, oak-aged and buttery; tropical fruit to flint and steel. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Sauvignon Blanc

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Sauvignon Blanc

One of the easiest and best wines to pair with food. Its uncomplicated and refreshingly acidic character allow it to match well with a wide variety of dishes. .. Read More

Two Melomels from Curt Stock

October 23, 2018

Two Melomels from Curt Stock

Meadmaker of the Year (2005) and Northern Brewer mead kit creator Curt Stock shares two of his favorite melomel recipes with Brewing TV. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Shiraz/Syrah

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Shiraz/Syrah

Syrah is poised to become the next big thing in red wine; an ancient pedigree combined with rising popularity and plantings in new areas. .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Barolo

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Barolo

Barolo is a DOCG-classified red that is famously assertive, complex, and fantastic with food.  .. Read More

Wine Style Focus: Pinot Noir

October 23, 2018

Wine Style Focus: Pinot Noir

“Sex in a glass,” “hedonistic,” “made by the devil,” “the most romantic of wines,” “the most capricous, ungracious, unforgiving, fascinating grape of them all.” .. Read More

Eisbock Recipe

October 23, 2018

Eisbock Recipe

Beers with strong malt character and/or spices seem to eis well. Hoppy beer DO NOT eis well. .. Read More

Primo Bottling I: EZ-Cap

October 23, 2018

How to Use EZ-Cap Bottles

Sharp packaging can make every bottle opening a bit more like Christmas. Here is a simple and easy option you can use when bottling your beer. .. Read More

How to Use Champagne Bottles

October 23, 2018

How to Use Champagne Bottles

Champagne bottles can be used for more than just champagne... .. Read More

Primo Bottling III: Belgian Bottles

October 23, 2018

How to Use Belgian Bottles

Belgian-style bottles can be used for bottling a variety of beer styles. .. Read More

How to Choose the Right Keg Parts

October 23, 2018

How to Choose the Right Keg Parts

If you're just starting to keg, let us be the first to say: welcome to the good life.  .. Read More

Lower Alcohol Meads

October 23, 2018

Lower Alcohol Meads

Meads tend to take a long time to age and are too high gravity to quaff as a refreshment. Solution: Mini-Hefe-Hydro-Melo-Mel. .. Read More

Make Wine for Better Beer

October 23, 2018

Make Wine for Better Beer

It will be a proud moment in my winemaking when I can taste which grape varieties are used, what oak, and the origin.  .. Read More

Kegging Overview and Guide to Kegging Terms

October 23, 2018

Kegging Overview and Guide to Kegging Terms

Kegging is the fastest and easiest way to serve beer. Each kegging system is slightly different but will contain three items: Tap Lines, a Regulator to control carbonation and a keg. .. Read More

3 Reasons to Own a Handheld CO2 Keg Charger

October 23, 2018

3 Reasons to Own a Handheld CO2 Keg Charger

This handy article contains the top three reasons to own a handheld CO2 keg charger. .. Read More

How to Make a Bicycle Pump Keg Dispenser

October 23, 2018

How to Make a Bicycle Pump Keg Dispenser

Have you ever bought a commercial keg for a party and used that tap with the hand pump on it to dispense it? .. Read More

Bottling Homebrewed Beer: A Labor of Love

October 23, 2018

Bottling Homebrewed Beer: A Labor of Love

Bottling beer is probably the least enjoyed part of brewing, and not without reason. But fear not -- here's a few tips to help improve your bottling day. .. Read More

Brew. SHARE. Enjoy. Starter Kit

October 23, 2018

Brew. SHARE. Enjoy. Starter Kit

This homebrew starter kit includes everything you need to make your very own beer at home. Watch as our experts introduce everything included in the beer kit! .. Read More

Wine Making Glossary and Definitions

September 18, 2018

Wine Making Glossary

A glossary in alphabetical list with all the winemaking terms you'd ever need to know...and then some! .. Read More