In the market for a holiday gift? Check out our handcrafted homebrewing kits.
Things were much simpler for pumpkins before the turn of the millennium. We picked them, carved them, and turned them into pies. Aside from the occasional smashing, that was about all they were good for—that is, until the past decade or so.
We’d like to meet pumpkin’s publicist, because somehow along the way the gourd’s become the star of the fall. Pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin coffee, pumpkin candles. Pumpkin everything, including beer.
Sure, you’ve heard of a wine sommelier, but have you come across a cicerone yet in your alcohol tasting journey? In short, a cicerone is basically a wine sommelier, only for beer--it’s someone who’s certifiably knowledgeable about brews, knowing specific aspects like the history of beer and which food to pair with which beer. This post will dig into what a cicerone is, in which scenarios it might make sense to become one, and how to get certified.
For many people who hear the words “sour beer,” the first thing that comes to mind is Belgium—with the most famous, of course, being the Lambic. But styles extend well beyond that. Brewing the tart, fruity, complex, and unique flavors is a difficult—often unpredictable—process and, as a consequence, the beers have been hard to find in recent years.
In a short period of time, though, things have changed, and it’s become common to find sour beers on beer menus and store shelves. As of right now, sour beers may still be just slightly unpopular enough for hipsters to drink, but not for long. Major brewers like Sam Adams are releasing sours and, to be honest, we’re pretty happy about it. Sours are the funkiest beers around and a welcomed change from time to time.
In this post, we’re going to run down four things you should know about sour beers, so you’ve got something to talk about the next time that tang tickles the back of your throat.
Although painting a rock different colors and then writing the word "Dad" on it is a pretty solid Father's Day Gift, it would be kind of a weird one to give now that you're an adult. But that doesn't mean you can't still make him something.
But what? What do most dads seem to like? Oh yeah, beer!
That's why we brought together our two greatest passions--woodworking and beer--to help you build the perfect Father's Day gift: A Reclaimed Wood 6-Pack Holder. It's a fun project for any skill level - although some of the tools we use make things go a bit faster, the entire project can also be built using hand tools.
This post breaks down the process from sourcing the wood all the way through staining it (drinking beer not included). The high-level plans shown directly below will help you move through the 19 steps on this page. Good luck.
Jack Hendler
Brewer at Jack's Abby Brewing
Framingham, MA
@JacksAbby
For me, enjoying beer is as much about the social experience as anything else. While I had explored craft beer for some time, the real turning point was on a trip in Germany with my mother. I was completely blown away by the beer culture. I can still remember my mother's expression of horror/awe when our first liters of beer were presented to us at our table. The experience in Germany cemented my desire to go into the brewing industry.
