Library: Technical articles on brewing-related topics

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Technical Library at the Brewery

Links to web-accessible documents of good quality...some on the Brewery server, others on remote servers.

November 2011. All links have been updated and verified. If you discover any links that no longer work, or have some good recommendation for additions or revisement, then please send them to

Subject Catalog

Beginner Guides

General Intermediate and Advanced Discussions

INGREDIENTS

Malt, Hops, Yeast, Water, Adjuncts

PROCESSES

Fermentation, Aeration, Carbonation, Mashing, Sanitation, Dryhopping, Kegging, Cask Conditioning

EQUIPMENT

Overviews, Mills, Mash vessels and spargers, Chillers, Fermenters, Bottles, Kegs, Metals and materials, Professional brewing equipment

STYLES

Styles and production, Lambic, Mead, Cider, Non-alcholic beer, Sake

MISCELLANEOUS

Alcohol and calories, Color, Historical perspectives, Recipe formulation, Professional craft brewing, Book reviews, Beer appreciation, Other topics

For the Beginner...

• How to Brew Your First Beer, by John Palmer
• The Beer Basics: The simplest way to brew five gallons of beer!, provided by the American Homebrewers Association
• Beginners Getting Started Guide, by Rob Gardner, an older guide written for HBD around 1989, short and concise
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in rec.crafts.brewing, by Kurt Swanson (emphasis on brewing not drinking)
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) in rec.food.drink.beer, by John Lock (emphasis on drinking not brewing)
• Cursus Bierbrouwen, written in *Dutch* by Piet Tutelaers, this is a *PostScript* file of a comprehensive, well-reasearched guide for the homebrewer. Includes an overview of ingredients, instructions for mashing, calculating gravities and alcohol, basic recipes (various styles) for the all-grain brewer, and brewers log worksheets.

General Discussions for Intermediate and Advanced Homebrewers

• 20 Tips for Better Brewing, by Kinney Baughman, from Brew Your Own magazine.

INGREDIENTS

Malt

• All About Grain 101, by Jim Busch (excellent summary of malt characteristics)
• Malt Production:, by Al Korzonas What makes Munich malt production unique?
• Roasting Pale Malt to Make Amber and Brown Malts, by Geoff Cooper
• Yummy Malt Flavor, by George Fix, brewing techniques to get high malt profile
• Table of hop content in malt extracts
• Malting Process in a Nutshell, by Mark Stevens
• Belgian Malt: Some Practical Observations, by George Fix, from Brewing Techniques magazine

Hops

• Frequently Asked Questions About Hops, by Norm Pyle
  (If link is down, here's an old version.)
• Glenn Tinseth's Hop Page
• Hop Profiles, posted by John Goldwaite based on L.D. Carlson fact sheet
• Hop Aroma and Flavor, by Glenn Tinseth, article from January/February 1993 issue of Brewing Techniques magazine
• HopUnion home page
• Chart of hop constituents (alpha/beta acids, cohumulone, myrcene, humulene, caryophylene, farnesene), by style, and stability of varieties in storage
• Hop Bitterness Analysis: ASBC methods of analysis, transcribed by Dan McConnell
• Hop Utilization Numbers, by Glenn Tinseth
• Hops Growing Primer, by Russ Gelinas and Pete Soper
• Hop Growing, by Alan Edwards, interesting setup of growing vines horizontally
• Hops Information: Current research in hop cultivation in New England, from Prof. Leonard Perry of the University of Vermont Extension Service Plant & Soil Science Department
• The Hop Page: Glenn Tinseth provides an excellent web page for hop heads, with information on utilization, aroma and flavor, and software for calculating hop bitterness
• Factors Affecting Hop Production, Hop Quality, and Brewer Preference, by Alfred Haunold and Gail. Nickerson, from Brewing Techniques
• Grow Your Own Hops, video, from Brew Your Own magazine.

• First Wort Hopping Summary, by Dave Draper, summary of article in Brauwelt about hopping beers early in the boil

  • If the link is down, an older version is also available

Yeast

• Culturing Yeast and Using Slants, by David Draper

  If the link is down, here's an old version

• Yeast Information and Technique Resource (also known as the Yeast FAQ), by Patrick Weix
• Selection and Propagation of Brewer's Yeast, by John Kleyn and James Hough
• Jack Schmidling on Yeast Culture, by Jack Schmidling
• Microbiology for the Home, by Brett Lindenbach : A Primer on Yeast Culturing
• Commercially Available Strains of Brewers' Yeast
• Sterile Distilled Water Yeast Storage, by Dave Whitman, discussion of long-term yeast storage
• Big Yeast Experiment, by Michael Froehlich, results of experiment done by Long Beach Homebrewers to evaluate 14 strains of beer yeast for attenuativeness and flavor contribution
• Take the Plunge Into Liquid Yeast, by Sal Emma, from Brew Your Own magazine.
• Yeast Selection for Hard Cider Makers, by Greg Appleyard
• Lallemand Ltd. (company producing beer and wine yeasts)

Water

• Brewing Waters of the World, by Dave Draper, water chemistry table for the world's great brewing cities

  • Also available on Dave's web page
• Acidification of Water, by A.J. deLange
• Quickie Water Chemistry Primer, by Ken Schwartz
• Brewing Water Analysis
• A Water FAQ, this is a site for a filter company, so keep in mind that they're trying to sell you water treatment....still some good info here

Adjuncts and Other Ingredients

• Sugar Information, by Bob Devine, excellent summary descriptions of sugars used in brewing
• Caramelising Sugars, by Andy Walsh
• The Beer That Made Idaho Famous, or How I Mash Potatos, by Cary Jensen
• Sugar and Acid Content of Fruit, chart of content by weight from "The Curious Cook" cookbook
• Gelatinization Temperatures for Adjuncts, by Rob Lauriston
• Brewing Sugars, description of sugars used as malt adjuncts in brewing, from H. Lloyd Hind's book Brewing Science and Practice, transcribed by ???
• Adding Spices to Beer: Tips from the Pros, by Suzanne Berens, from Brew Your Own magazine.

PROCESSES

Overview

• No working entries at this time.

Wort Preparation

• No working entries at this time.

Fermentation

• Basic Principles of Fermentation (commercial site)
• Open Fermentation, by Jim Busch
• Wort Composition, Stuck Fermentations and High Gravity Brewing, by Andy Walsh (read in conjunction with the discussions by Al Korzonas and Kevin Hass)
• Troubleshooting Stuck Fermentations, by Al Korzonas
• Using Enzymes to Solve Fermentation Problems, by Kevin Hass
• Ester Formation, by Andy Walsh

Wort Aeration

• Wort Aeration Prior to Pitching, by Jack Schmidling

Carbonation

• A Primer on Priming, by Mark Hibberd
• Dave's Preferred Priming Procedure, by Dave Draper: expands on work of Mark Hibberd
• Pressure Charts for Force-Carbonating Kegs

Mashing

• The Beginner's Guide to Advanced and All-Grain Brewing, by Richard Webb
• Decoction Mashing, by Marc de Jonge
• Pros and Cons of Decoction Mashing, by A.J. deLange
• What is Mashing?, by John Palmer, excerpt from his forthcoming book
• Producing an All-Grain Wort is Easy!, by John Palmer, another excerpt
• Kettle Mashing, by Jack Schmidling
• To Protein Rest or Not to Protein Rest, comments on when a protein rest is appropriate, by George Fix
• Mash Yield and Fermentability Experiments, by Rob Reed
• Hot Side Aeration During Sparging, by Dave Draper
• Protein Terminology, by Steve Alexander, discussion of enzyme (protein) nomenclature posted by Steve to HBD
• Starch Gelatinization 101, by Charlie Scandrett
• Controlling Phenol Extraction, by Charlie Scandrett

Boiling and Kettle Reactions

• Maillard Reactions 101: Theory, by Charlie Scandrett
• Maillard Reactions 101: Part 2, Controlling Browning, by Charlie Scandrett

Sanitation

• Clean and Sanitary: a discussion of home brewery sanitation practices, by Michael Froehlich
• Brewery Cleaning and Sanitizing, by Jim Liddil and John Palmer
• Reinheitsgebot and the Fifth Ingredient, by Martin Schiller and Jim Busch, from Brewing Techniques magazine.

DryHopping

• Dryhopping Lagers, a research article on dryhopping lagers by Al Korzonas

Kegging

• Getting Started Kegging, by Alan Richer
• CO2 charts for Carbonating Kegs

Conditioning

• No working entries at this time.

Packaging Issues

• No working entries at this time.

EQUIPMENT & GADGETS

Compilations

• Frugal Brewer's Guide to Brewing Aids, by Robert Mech
• Five Gallon Plastic Electric Brewery, by Ken Schwartz
• The World of Zymico, Zymie's web page of homebrew gadgets

Measuring Devices and Test Equipment

• Easy, Cheap Grain Scale, by John Palmer
• Make Your Own Balance Scale Weights, by Ken Koupal
• Hydrometer Temperature Correction Table, by Christopher Lyons

Malt Mills

• Roller Mills, by Robert Brown, brief reviews of commercially available mills and a discussion of how to build your own roller mill
• Concrete Roller Mill, by C.D. Pritchard, building a malt mill with a concrete roller
• Concrete Malt Mill---Another Perspective, by Chuck Volle
• A Wooden Roller Grain Mill, by Dennis Cabell

Stands and Platforms

• Treatise on Building a Multi-Level Tier Platform, by Dion Hollenbeck

Mashing Vessels and Sparge Apparatus

• Half Barrel Conversion FAQ: Tips and Instructions for Converting Kegs to Brew Kettles and Mashing Vessels, by Teddy Winstead
• A Two-Tier Converted Keg Brewing System, by Marty Tippin (comprehensive discussion of building a home brewery around converted kegs---nice diagrams)
• A Two Tiered Home Brewery, by Jeff Kane
• My RIMS, by Keith Royster, excellent detailed description of how to build a recirculating infusion mash system (RIMS), complete with figures
• RIMS Info Page, by Dion Hollenbeck, info on RIMS with photos etc.
• RIMS Information, by C.D. Pritchard, includes diagrams and performance graphs
• Archimedes RIMS, by David Hill
• The Spiffinatious RIMSical Odyssey: IGOR, neat RIMS setup and some cool photos, courtesy of Zymie
• Gott Cooler Mash Tun, by Jay Hersh
• Gott Cooler Mash Tun, by Dion Hollenbeck
• Copper Lautering Manifold, by Jeff Benjamin
• Copper Manifold in a Rectangular Cooler, by Spencer Thomas
• Lauter Tun Efficiency, by Al Korzonas
• Decoction Mashing in a Pressure Cooker, by Charles Rich

Burners

• Burner Conversion, by Robert Brown

Steam Injection

• Steam Injection, by Charlie Scandrett, principles of working with steam and ideas for building a steam generator

Wort Chillers

• Counterflow Chiller, by Drew Lynch
• Counterflow Chiller Plans, by Harlan Bauer
• Thermodynamics of Wort Chilling, by Charlie Scandrett
• A Chillin' Night at the Speedway, by Pat Babcock, comparison of immersion and counterflow chillers

Aerators and Air Stones

An In-Line Wort Aerator, by Marty Tippin

Filters

• An Inexpensive Homebrew Filtration System, by Marty Tippin
• Using Brita Filters for Homebrewing, by David Muzidal and Ian Smiley
• Wine Filtration, by Don Schiller

Carboys, Fermenters, and Temperature Control

• Oz, by Dave Ballard, the importance of using large blow-off tubes on glass carboys
• BrewCap Inverted Carboy Fermenter, by Kinney Baughman
• Fermentation Chiller, by Ken Schwartz, plans for building a controlled-temperature enclosure for a fermenter
• A Homebrew Refrigerator Temperature Controller, by Greg Walz, converted to HTML by Marty Tippin
• Electronic Thermometers for Brewers, by Ken Schwartz, converted to HTML by Marty Tippin
• Fermentation Temperature Controller Diagram, by Robin Broyles (JPEG image)

Bottling

• No Tears Bottling, by Gregg Howard
• 5L Mini Keg FAQ: Tips for Using Mini-Kegs (aka, Gallon cans), by Robert Lamothe
• Party Pig Mini-FAQ

• Plans for building wood beer bottle cases, by Bruce Dudek (PostScript file)

  • PDF File
• Bottle Drying Rack, by Tom Romalewski
• Plans for Building a Counterpressure Bottle Filler, by C.D. Pritchard
• Poor Mans Real Counterpressure Bottle Filler, by Ken Schwartz
• Counter-Pressure Bottle Filler Plans, by Marty Tippin
• How to Make a Soda Bottle Keg, by Robert Butler

Kegging

• Draught System Balancing, by Steve Jones
• Getting Started Kegging, by Alan Richer
• How to Prepare Used Corny Kegs for Brewery Use, by Dion Hollenbeck
• Oak Barrel Experiment, by Jim Mosser, results of experiments using wood barrels

Metals and Other Materials

• Corrosion Problems in Brewing, by John Palmer
• Brazing and Welding 304L Stainless Steel, by John Palmer

Equipment for the Professional Craft Brewer

• W.M. Sprinkman Corporation: company offers tanks and kettles in the 10-50 barrel range

STYLES

Styles and Their Production

• Belgian Beer Style Notes, by Phil Seitz
• Benelux Beerguide, by Peter Crombecq, latest version of this book on the beers of Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, including descriptions of styles, breweries, pubs, etc.
• Classic American Pilsner, by Jeff Renner
• Bierre de Garde, by Kit Anderson
• Sourmash Procedures, by Bill Vaughan
• Shakparo: A Traditional West African Sorghum Beer, by Richard Okambawa
• Sorghum Beer, by Bill Ridgely
• Commercial Beer Matrix, by Norm Pyle, summary of ingredients used by craft breweries

Non-Alcoholic Beers

• No- and Low-Alcohol Brewing, by Ken Schwartz
• Non-Alcoholic Beer, by Jack Schmidling
• Low-Alcohol Beer, by Nicholas Franke, descriptions and evaluation of methods for brewing low- and no-alcohol beers---very thorough

Lambic

• A Liddil Lambic Lesson: The Cult of the Biohazard Lambic Brewers, by Jim Liddil, from a talk given at the 1996 AHA Homebrewers Conference
• Where the Wild Yeasts Are!, by Dr. Roger Mussche, talk given at Homebrew U
• Lambic Beer Frequently Asked Questions, by Larry Lynch-Freshner
• A Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear, by Jeremy Bergsman, notes on making pseudo-lambic beers
• The Anarchist's p-Lambic, by Todd Gierman

Other Belgian Styles

• Brewery Rodenbach: Brewing Sour Ales, by Peter Bouckaert, posted by Jay Hersh, details about ingredients and processes used by Rodenbach

Mead

• An Analysis of Mead, Mead Making and the Role of its Primary Constituents, by Daniel S. McConnell and Kenneth D. Schramm
• Mead Made Easy, by Dave Polaschek with Tim Mitchell, comprehensive introduction to mead making
• The Mead-Lovers README File, a FAQ list about mead, by Dick Dunn, et al.
• The Bees Lees, a collection of mead recipes, by Joyce Miller

Sake

• How to Homebrew Sake, by Mutsuo Hoshido
• The Chemistry of Sake Brewing, by R.W. Atkinson, circa 1881

Hard Cider

• Historical Info on Perry, by Laura Angotti
• My Experience with Cider, by Michael Ferdinando
• Yeast Selection for the Production of Hard Cider, by Greg Appleyard <1--
• Good Manufacturing Practices for Apple Cider Mills, by Susan Sumner-->
• Cider Press, by Jeff Summit, how to build your own cider press

Root Beer, Ginger Beer, and Soda

• Root Beer Concentrate, by Steve Mercer, lengthy examination of making root beer, using sassafras, etc.

MISCELLANEOUS

Alcohol and Calories

• Alcohol and Calorie Calculation Tables, by Kent Tracy
• Alcohol and Calorie Content of About 200 Popular Beers, maintained by Binger

Color

• Measuring Beer Color, by Dave Whitman, guide to using and understanding SRM color scale
• Beer's Law Controversy: Is it Linear for Dark Beers?, from Brewing Techniques

Organic Chemistry and Perception

• No working entries at this time.

Recipe Creation

• Recipe Formulation, by Brian Smithey
• Thinking About Beer Recipe Formulation, by Darryl Richman, from Brewing Techniques magazine
• Spreadsheet for Recipe Design, by Karl King, from Brewing Techniques magazine

Professional Craft Brewing

• No working entries at this time.

Historical Perspectives

• Brewing with Period Recipes:, descriptions of brewing processes and recipes from about 100 B.C. to 1600 A.D., by Lord Corwin of Darkwater
• Medieval English Brewing, by Fred Hardy

• The Closet of the Eminently Learned Sir Kenelme Digbie Kt Opened: Whereby is Discovered Several ways for making Metheglin, Sider, Cherr-Wine, &c., 1669

  • A few scanned pages, from Spencer Thomas
  • The recipes, transcribed by Joyce Miller
• How to Brew Your Own Beer, 1861 Style, from "Plain Cookery Book for the Working Classes" by Charles Elme Francatelli. Transcribed by Ken Appleby
• A collection of historical brews from Canada, 1861, provided by Paul Hubbs, Bob Gravonic, and John Grant
• Reinheitsgebot: Germany's Beer Purity Law, translated to English
• American Beer, by G. Thomann, United States Brewer's Assocation, 1909. Complete text of the original book. : Glimpses of Its History and Description of Its Manufacture
• Making Beer: Homebrew circa 1800, by Nelson Goforth, from Cottage Economy (1821) by William Cobbett

Health Implications

• No working entries at this time.

Cooking with Beer

• No working entries at this time

Book Reviews

• Brewers Publications, beer and brewing books sold by AHA

Beer Appreciation

• American Brewing Renaissance, by Michael Jackson, the state of brewing in America, transcript from Oregon Brewer's Fest '94.
• http://beer.findthebest.com/# A site that purports to be an unbiased assessment of individual beers. Uses a "weighted average" of three review sites. Commercial site.
• http://breweries.findthebest.com/ A site that lists information about various breweries. Commerical site.

Spirits

• Absinthe Frequently Asked Questions, by Matthew Baggott: although absinthe is banned in the U.S. (and many other countries), it can be legally purchased in some countries (such as Spain) and is of historical and pharmacological interest due to the controversy surrounding wormwood and it's purported reputation for causing insanity.

Brewing on the Internet

• On-Line Help for Brewers in Distress, by Cathy Watters

Other Topics

• Gluten-Free Home Brewing, by Brian Kolodzinski
• Acronyms Used in Brewing Literature, by Mark Stevens
• Literary Beer: stories, poems, and perspectives on the art and culture of homebrewing
• Index for the first edition of Charlie Papazian's Complete Joy of Home Brewing
• Fun and Games With Beer

Back to the Brewery

, MS, 10/21/97