Jester Goldman
DIY: Make a Yeast Starter Stir PlateYeast starters will jump-start your fermentation, but you can supercharge the process with a stir plate, which uses a spinning magnet to keep the liquid in constant motion. Here’s how to build your own.
DIY: Make your Own HopbackA few commercial hopbacks are available for homebrewers, (e.g., the Blichmann HopRocket). These work perfectly well, but there’s nothing stopping you from making your own. Here’s how.
Use Hops Tea to Enhance Flavors in Your BeerBy learning how to make and use a hops tea, you can greatly enhance the hops flavors in your beer. We have a quick and dirty guide to show you the ropes.
DIY: Carboy CarrierIf you want to build a carboy carrier yourself, there are several different approaches that you can follow. Here, we show you how to convert a large malt bucket, and—as a bonus—how to build a carboy dolly.
Should It Stay, or Should It Go?Learning when and how to rescue a bad batch—and when to sacrifice it to the beer gods—will save beer and frustration, and will also make you a better brewer.
DIY: Counterflow Wort ChillerCounterflow wort chillers cool your boiled wort quickly and with less water than immersion chillers—learn to make your own here!
Specific Gravity or Just a Matter of Degree?Let’s take a closer look at the scales marked on almost every hydrometer and then figure out which one we should be using.
Brew it Yourself? Build it Yourself!Aside from the brewing itself, a little DIY goes a long way when it comes to your equipment. Here’s a guide on a few items you might want to consider building yourself.
Never SurrenderBefore you throw in the towel and quit homebrewing, read on for some sage advice and tips for getting your batches back on track.
Homebrewer or Hoarder?Knowing when to throw out old ingredients you’ve stored is key in preventing off-flavors and other brew disasters. Here is a guide to help you identify expiration dates and signs of spoilage.
Optimizing Your Mash: Part 2Learning to sparge for maximum efficiency will improve the final quality of your wort and help you knock your homebrew out of the park.
Optimizing Your Mash: Part 1Improving your mash process will improve your efficiency, and help you fine-tune your mash for better results.