A canned debate

Canned beer is the epitome of crap beer. Or at least that's how most people see it. In fact, cans have major benefits over bottled beer. It is just that the expense and size of canning systems have long made canned beer an unreasonable option for smaller, quality brewers. Fortunately this is changing. Canning systems …

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A hop yard of our own

For thousands of years, herbs and spices were used to preserve beer and balance the sweetness of barley malt. These days this role is played by hops which has natural anti-bacterial properties, appealing aromas, and a bitterness that helps counteract malt's sweet flavors. The hop plant has been known since (at least) Roman times. The …

Stouts for St. Patty’s

St. Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays. Any celebration that rotates around drinking beer and whiskey is always going to be a winner in my book. The addition of corned beef and cabbage just confirms the day's place in my heart (historical accuracy and origins of the holiday be damned). But to me …

GABF and the process of judging beer

The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) just took place and every year the beer industry swoons over the award ceremony where thousands of beers compete to see which ones are considered the best in the nation. Judging beer is a complex process and measures a brewer's ability to hit a target, namely, a beer style. …

Brewing in pink boots

To celebrate this past International Women’s Day (March 8th), the Pink Boots Society (PBS), a non-profit organization focused on females in the beer industry, held a nationwide brew day for local chapters of the PBS to come together and collaborate on a special one-off beer. Showcasing the skills of female beer industry members and hopefully …