BrewChatter BrewCranium Blog

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  November 8, 2019

  Hop Resins: Alpha and Beta Acids

  We all know that when we design a beer, we try to hit a certain level of Alpha Acid Units (AAU’s) or International Bittering Units (IBU’s), depending on how we calculate recipes.  We also know that Alpha Acids are the main components of that bitterness, but how does that work? This week, we’ll be talking all about hop resins, how they work, and what they actually contribute to bitterness and our beer.

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  October 11, 2019

  Hop Series Volume 4: Understanding Hop Oils

  One of the most complex parts of making a hoppy beer is trying to figure out what to expect from each hop, and how different hops interact with each other.  While this is made easier by using and understanding different hops, there’s some good science to go along with this magic to help us figure out what to expect from certain hop varieties that we haven’t used extensively or made a S.M.A.S.H. with yet.  This week it’s all about hop oils, what flavors to expect from each, and how they can affect your beer.

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  September 20, 2019

  Whole Cone Hops vs. Pellet Hops

  Everybody has their preference when it comes to using hops.  Sometimes it’s your system and how you hop, and sometimes it’s just a preference for using the best possible ingredients that you can get in your beer.  This week we’ll talk a little more about the difference between whole leaf, fresh hops, and pellets, and the pros and cons of using each for your homebrew.

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