The Beer Craft, Homebrewing Podcast

Going Way Beyond Rosemary time and basil this week on the Beer Craft Home Brewing Podcast, we take a look at the Botany of beer. We take a look at what Mother Nature has in store for the brewhouse, how to use them, and what we can do with them. There are more than a few herbs and spices that we should watch out for, as they can lead to health problems or medication reactions. Since the show's sponsor, Northwest Brewers Supply, is moving into an herbal apothecary, we are producing an herbalist primer for beer. We will include links in the description when they are finished.  So grab a pint of Spruce Beer or Sahti if you can...   Music Attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/    "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Belgian beer looks chaotic from the outside, but there's a clear blueprint once you know where to look. This episode breaks down the core ideas behind the country's brewing culture and explains why Belgian brewers create beers that don't fit into tidy boxes. Ben and Andrew cover the four families of Belgian beer, the role of yeast, the country's approach to balance, and why sugar, glassware, and regional identity matter more than most drinkers realize. We dig into insights from Stan Hieronymus, Pierre Rajotte, Randy Mosher, Michael Jackson, Jeff Sparrow, and others. By the end, you'll see how Belgian brewers let yeast lead the way, why they trust tradition over strict rules, and how centuries of local habits shaped some of the most expressive beer on the planet. Perfect for brewers, drinkers, and anyone who wants to understand what makes Belgian beers tick.   Music  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Recently I surveyed the local brewing community to find out directly what were the most significant sources of frustration, or problems they had in brewing. I wanted to put my finger on the pulse of the modern homebrewer. By far, the most common problem respondents had was making time to brew.  Since the pandemic, we have gone from having all the time in the world, to be so busy we're dizzy. I think a lot of us forgot how busy we were in 2019, and we are still recovering.  This week on the show we look at some popular time manegment strategies to make sure we have time to enjoy our favorite hobby, with out guilt, without shame.  We also look at the various ways we might shave some precious time on brewday so we can fit it in to our busy day to day activites.  If you struggle to make the time for beer, this show is for you.  So sit back, grab a pint or four, as we take control of the clock and slow it down for Beer.    Music attribution:  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  

We're closing out our five-part beer design run with a bang. The last gap on the Northwest Brewers Supply beer list is a Cold IPA, so that's tonight's target. Is a Cold IPA just an IPL in new clothes? The BJCP hasn't said a word about it, so we dig into the difference. We look at what went wrong with classic IPLs and can the Italian pilsner gives us a spark as we search for a crisp, clean, hoppy balance.  Music Attribution:  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/    "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Part 4 of the series, On Air Beer Design. Tonight, we tackle an Amber Ale. This hybrid of a Pale Ale was the signature beer for the West Coast for anyone who didn't want an IPA. I think we might have a tasty litttle number when we get throught the brew day.  So Sit back and enjoy the show.    Cheers

This week on the podcast, we put our heads together on an oatmeal stout. We had plenty of inspiration, including a maple coconut stout that we are still drooling over.  Why wouldn't you want to listen to that?   Music attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We are back in the studio with another round of beer design. We wanted to create two more beers this week but we talk too much. We did manage to come up with another recipe, this time a mexi lager. We will come upo with a oatmeal stout next week.    So sit back with a six pack and let's get ready for Beer30.    "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

  This week on The Beer Crafters, Ben and Andrew put their recipe-building hats on for a design session straight from the back room at Northwest Brewers Supply. First up: a crisp, clean classic Pilsner. Then, a malty heavyweight we're probably calling the "Agrivator" — a Doppelbock with enough attitude to stir up a few fields. You may have noticed the show has a new name. Turns out, not everyone's thrilled with our name. Apparently, the folks at Craft Beer & Brewing Magazine think our show title might confuse their listeners. Perhaps they believe their listeners won't notice the difference...We're flattered, of course, and you can be sure we'll be milking that joke for at least a few more episodes. Next week, we keep the brew train rolling with two more recipe builds: an Oatmeal Stout that's smoother than your grandpa's jazz collection, and a Mexi Lager ready for sunshine and lime wedges. Grab a pint, pull up a chair, and let's make your next beer, your best beer.   Music Attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

This episode marks the anniversary of the show and the start of Season 2. Hard to believe we are still at it. Most podcasts end after 11 episodes. There is so much of you, the listeners, to blame for that. Thanks for joining us along the way.  This week on the Beer Craft, we take a look under the hood of our favorite beer related vegetable, hops. Just what kind of alchemy goes on within the little green jewels and the kind of research that is happening right now that could forever change the beer landscape.    Music attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

The flavor of apple is not known as a star in the world of beer thanks to Acetaldehyde, but what about Pear? Can we shape a pale ale around the other fall fruit? This Week on the Show, we sit down with Mark Lutz, a  long-time homebrewer and friend of the show, to talk about his annual harvest Pale Ale. For years, Mark has filled Andrew's head with stories of his family's fall classic, and now we finally get to taste it!   "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Beer History has been one of the ways that keep me ingaged in this hobby. A while back I thought about the beers that started the craft beer movement, from Fritz Maytag's Anchor Steam to Ken Grossman's Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Here in Washington, there was a standout with the slogan "Think Globally, Drink Locally" that certainly had a hand in shaping the trajectory of Beer. I set out to recreate the beer for a seasonal recipe kit, but I quickly hit a wall. The Brewery was closed, the website takendown and the only source material I could find were tidbits from tasting notes.  This week on the Podcast Andrew and I discuss what I went through to try to resurrect a classic.      Music attribution:   "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

This week on The Beer Craft, Beer, and Brewing Podcast, we're talking cider with Jenn Knutzen — graduate of the Cider Institute of North America, Cardinal Craft Brewing alum, and judge at the 2023 Northwest Cider Cup in Portland. Jenn brings a deep well of knowledge about orchards, fermentation, and the way cider culture is carving out its own identity alongside beer and wine.   We dig into the craft beyond the basics: how apple varieties shape flavor, what it's like to judge cider professionally, and where cider trends are heading in the Northwest and beyond. If you've ever wondered whether cider belongs in the same conversation as beer — or just wanted to know what makes a great cider tick — this episode is for you.   Pour something crisp, because it's always Beer30.

So much content! Picking up where we left off, we continue our conversation about equipment calibration. Tune in and hear the rest of the story.  If you missed the first half you can listen right here: https://sites.libsyn.com/549992/give-your-brew-stand-a-tune-up-calibrating-your-gear   Music attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Think about how many times you take a measurment on brewday? Strike water temp, Mash Temp, Mash out, Sparge, pitching temp...the list is long. What happens when your equipment is lying to you? Your measurements are off, your hop utilization is through the roof, and the outcome of your beer is uncertain. This week on The Beer Craft, we are tuning up the brew stand and calibrating equipment to keep brewing anxiety and doubt out of the brew lab. 

Before Citra and Mosaic stole the spotlight, there was CTZ. In this episode of The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew trace the origin story of Columbus, Tomahawk, and Zeus—the hop so controversial it sparked lawsuits, clone conspiracies, and a federal turf war. We cover its rise to bittering dominance, its unfortunate scent reputation (Ben's not shy about that), and how it helped shape the modern IPA. You'll hear about USDA breeding programs, industry infighting, and the legacy of a hop that never quite got its victory lap.   Music Attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

We were live this week on The Beer Craft, Beer, and Brewing Podcast. This was the second attempt, and it went way better. I apologize for the delay but last weeks episode had no sound and that makes a podcast difficult.  We're discussing homebrew clubs on the podcast. We just got back from a homebrew club rally last week. Imagine your average beer festival, but replace the professionals with homebrewers and remove all the "Karens" and "Richards". Fun fact: there were more beers than people by one estimate.  So check it out! For Skagit County, WA check out NORWA Snohomish County, check out The Stilly Mashers Whatcom County, check out The Bellingham Homebrewers Guild   Music attribution:  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Scotch Ale has nothing to do with whisky barrels, and everything to do with malt, patience, and a little historical confusion. In this episode, we dig into the real story behind the name, what separates a Scotch Ale from a British Brown, and why American brewers turned up the volume—and sometimes added smoke where it never belonged. We'll walk through classic flavor profiles, brewing techniques that make a difference (like long boils and proper mash temps), and what happens when you let this style sit and mellow. You'll also hear the full breakdown of Freedom Fighter Scotch Ale, our house kit with a hint of peat and a whole lot of bottle-aging potential. If you've never brewed a malt-forward beer before, this is the one to start with. Just don't expect it to reward you right away. Music Attribution  "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

In this solo episode of The Beer Craft, host Ben Holm walks through his brewing journey using the full spectrum of beer color—from the pale gold of his first banana-bomb extract kit to the pitch-black stout that accidentally won him an award. Along the way, Ben shares what each stage taught him: from the gateway ambers and red IPAs that shaped his palate, to recipe design, roast control, and learning how to pivot when a batch doesn't go as planned. It's part brewing memoir, part technical breakdown, and part encouragement for brewers at every level. Whether you're just getting started or you've scorched a mash tun in public (we've all been there, right?), this episode is a reminder that learning to brew should be as much fun as drinking beer—and that color is just the beginning. Topics Include: First batches and fermentation disasters Why amber ales were the unsung heroes of early craft beer Cold-steeping vs full mash for roasted grains Brewing with intention vs brewing with panic How to teach, adapt, and embrace the spectrum Mentioned in this episode: Freedom Fighter Scotch Ale (Wyeast vs Windsor) The (p)Hazey IPA Stainless Kettle Competition (RIP) SRM, flavor perception, and visual trickery 🛠️ Want to brew along or learn more? Visit nwbrewers.com for gear, classes, and recipes.    Music attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   

Do you actually know what's in your malt? In this episode of The Beer Craft Podcast, Ben and Andrew crack open the mysterious (and often ignored) Certificate of Analysis—the COA—and show you how to use it to level up your brew day. Whether you're designing a recipe, troubleshooting a stuck mash, or just trying to brew the same great beer twice in a row, understanding your malt's COA can save you time, money, and stress. We break down: What a COA is—and what it's not When you should actually look at it What those weird acronyms mean (FAN, DP, SRM, Kolbach…) Real-world ways to use it in your brewing software and process How to troubleshoot fermentation and mash issues with confidence Plus, we've got some killer extras for you: ✅ Download the COA Glossary for Brewers – Plain English definitions of the most important COA metrics 📊 Grab the COA Style Tip Sheet – Key COA numbers matched to each BJCP beer category 🍻 Be the First to Know About Our New All-Grain Brewing Class – launching soon at Northwest Brewers Supply! Sign up here → https://mailchi.mp/nwbrewers/all-grain-class-pre-registration No spreadsheets required—just useful tips, real experience, and a better understanding of the ingredients you already use. Let's turn that wall of numbers into your brewing advantage. "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   RetroFuture Dirty   "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Small Batch, Big Flavor: The 1-Gallon Brewing Revolution" Ever dreamt of brewing beer without sacrificing your entire weekend—or your kitchen counter, your whole garage, your partner's patience level? In this episode of The Beer Craft, Ben and Andrew discuss shrinking the batch size, the gear, and the timeline without sacrificing flavor. Whether you're tight on space, short on time, or just want to experiment without filling a keg with regret, this pint-sized approach might be your next big move. We'll break down the gear (spoiler: you probably already own half of it), show you how to ferment in the weirdest corners of your home, and walk through the math of scaling down your favorite recipes without losing the magic. It's practical, it's personal, it's occasionally ridiculous—and it all starts with Beer30. That's Wednesdays at 6:30 for those of you who don't have a beer clock. Listen in and discover why going small might be the best thing to ever happen to your brewhouse. 1 Gallon Sacred Cow IPA recipe Music Attribution "Twisted" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  "RetroFuture Dirty" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/