The process of fermentation was a mystery for the bulk of recorded human history. Microscopy and modern-day research have given us a solid understanding of the microbial processes that occur during winemaking, but even with those understandings and advances, the fermentation process can be a bit challenging for some to grasp. This is especially true…
Add just the right amount of pucker to your sour beers, get your pH and TA right!
Although consumers focus on the flavour and alcohol content in beers, brewers know that the vast majority of their product is water. Water is what makes many of the well-known beers of the world so unique. For example, the Pilsen region of the Czech Republic is known for producing the pilsner, a pale golden lager…
Although many people still shudder at the thought of consuming something containing a colony of bacteria and yeast, kombucha is becoming an increasingly popular drink in Australia. Kombucha refers to a variety of fermented tea beverages. Due to the fermentation, its taste is both acidic and sweet, with a bit of effervescence from carbon dioxide…
At the heart of every cold beer is the world’s greatest resource, water. It not only affects the flavour but also impacts the amount of chemicals necessary in order to achieve the 5.2 pH in mash, and throughout the entire brewing process. Understanding the quality of a brews’ starting water is critical to determining the…
Soft drinks are known by many names and come in many flavours: lemon-lime, strawberry, orange and more! Regardless of its name or flavour, the sugary solution is enjoyed by both young and old around the world. The soft drink is made sweet by a variety of sugars or, in the case of diet or light…
Beer clarity is a parameter constantly controlled in the brewery. Clarity can be affected by haze, or insoluble or semi-soluble particulate matter which is small enough to form a colloidal suspension in beer, typically less than 2 mm. These particles scatter transmitted light and are observed as a degradation in the brilliance of the beer.…
Throughout the entire brewing process, temperature plays a critical role in developing a good quality beer that is consistent in taste. Small fluctuations in temperature can lead to a much different product than what was originally intended. The overall process of brewing involves a mash soak, lautering, boiling and cooling of the wort, pitching the…
Temperature is the most critical parameter for consistency and quality when brewing beer. From the mash, to pitching the yeast, to fermentation and brightening, temperature has significant effects every step from grain to bottle. Propylene glycol chillers are commonly used throughout the brewing process to chill and regulate temperature. Propylene glycol (glycol for short) is…
Mead is an ancient alcoholic beverage made from honey; this honey-wine is possibly the oldest alcoholic beverage in the world. Mead is even mentioned in mythology; is said that the Norse god Odin gained his strength by drinking mead from a goat’s utter as an infant. Further, the term ‘honeymoon’ comes from giving a newlywed…
