Michael Tonsmeire

From Sapwood Cellars in Columbia, Maryland, here’s a homebrew-scale iteration of their ever-evolving, Azacca-and-Citra-powered hazy double IPA, Pillowfort. Note the mash hops and cold dry hopping—two signatures of the Sapwood Cellars method.

• Beer Recipe
• IPA
• Hazy IPA

Sapwood Cellars cofounder and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire talks about finding and identifying the best local, fresh fruit you can for mixed-culture or other fruit-focused beers.

• Video
• Fruit Beer
• Sourcing Fruit

Sometimes, the least “beer-like” beer can be the fun one that wins friends and influences people. In this clip from his video course, Sapwood Cellars cofounder Michael Tonsmeire makes the case for smoothie-style fruit beers.

• Video
• Fruit
• Fruit Beer

Sapwood Cellars cofounder and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire discusses practical aspects of adding aseptic purees and fruit juices to the tank, including volume and pulp.

• Video
• Fruit
• Sour Beer

Sapwood Cellars cofounder and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire speaks to the reliability of aseptic purees, juices, and similar products for cleaner, simpler fruit beers that undergo straightforward fermentations.

• Video
• Fruit
• Puree

Sapwood Cellars cofounder, brewer, and ”Mad Fermentationist” Michael Tonsmeire shares his expertise in all things fruit—sourcing, selecting, processing, blending, brewing, barrel-aging, and more.

• Video
• Full Video
• Fruit

This highly complex yet super-drinkable, dry-hopped, mixed-culture, gin barrel–aged golden ale combines the expertise of the two authors and cofounders at Sapwood Cellars—and it went on to become one of our Best 20 Beers in 2022.

• Beer Recipe
• Sour Beer
• Farmhouse Ale