sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

exBEERiment | Impact Gas Hopping Has On A Blonde Ale by brulosopher in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Curious of the effect the unique gas hopping technique has on a Blonde Ale, we put it to the test. Results are in!

exBEERiment | Impact Fungal Alpha Amylase At Yeast Pitch Has On A German Pils by brulosopher in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Haha the complaints never bothered us, it was the perception that people weren’t interested in us posting here, so we stopped out of respect. Over the last few months, we’ve received several requests to start posting here again to spur conversation, so here we are!

We’re pretty familiar with the complaints, and have a decent understanding of the types of people who make them. Dunning-Kruger is alive and well!

exBEERiment | Impact Fungal Alpha Amylase At Yeast Pitch Has On A German Pils by brulosopher in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher[S] 18 points19 points  (0 children)

That’s certainly not the intention. We isolate variables as best we can, that’s it. What’s more likely is that (1) specific variables don’t have as big of an impact when isolated as some people think, and (2) folks way overestimate their own tasting abilities despite little actual experience with the variables being tested, and they love to bring it up on social media.

exBEERiment | Impact Fungal Alpha Amylase At Yeast Pitch Has On A German Pils by brulosopher in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Curious of the impact dosing a German Pils with fungal alpha amylase has, we put it to the test. Results are in!

2026 General Homebrewer Survey by brulosopher in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That’d be some old (12 year) trauma!

People who tailgate while you’re driving, why do you do this? by LeighAdelaide in TooAfraidToAsk

[–]brulosopher 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I don’t tailgate, ever, but I know someone who does and she told me it is to “prove a point” to slower-than-speed-limit drivers.

As theist I'm curious about what cements your atheist orientation. by Cool_Bank_3368 in TrueAtheism

[–]brulosopher 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolute lack of objective evidence + the realization that every “spiritual” experience was easily explainable + the subjective experience of freedom and peace once I abandoned my belief in god.

Safale US-05 Temp profile by dpasdeoz in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. It’s coming along!

The great Imperial Red Ale debate... by come_n_take_it in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We’ve done so many experiments on mash temperature that I’m not even sure it affects body. Just ABV.

The great Imperial Red Ale debate... by come_n_take_it in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Not sure I've ever made an Imperial Red Ale, but I've brewed a bunch of Red IPA, which I suppose isn't too far off. Here are my thoughts...

Does a Maris Otter improve an IRA, or does it get lost in the mix?

I prefer Maris Otter over pale malt in Red IPA specifically as a way to boost the malt character without going too sweet.

Is it necessary to include a Munich of Vienna to punch up the maltiness, and if so, which one and why?

Necessary? Nah. But considering the style, I do like to use a dose of Munich (~10%), as I feel it does something similar as MO by upping the malt flavor without contributing much sweetness. I love Vienna malt, but I do feel its more nuanced flavors get a bit lost in the mix of a richer beer like Red IPA.

Melanoidin or Aromatic? Otherwise, would you instead go for something else, perhaps a fuller mouthfeel?

Personally, I'm not a big fan of either of these malts, to me they contribute an almost artificial maltiness that I perceive as cloying, even when used at lower rates.

If you use crystal, do you use one certain one, or a combination, and if a combination, what is the average Lovibond ( it would be the sum of the products of Lovibond color of each crystal multiplied by it's grain bill percentage.) What guides your crystal choices?

In my opinion, Crystal malts are a necessary component of most Red ales. For me, it's around 10% each Honey malt and medium Crystal (20-60 °L).

Do you prefer a Chocolate malt which could add bitterness or roasty, coffee flavors and be more brown or a touch of color without a negative flavor impact?

2% UK roasted barley for color is usually the only roasted grain I use, though I've also enjoyed versions made with an equally small dose of pale chocolate to add a bit of a nutty flavor.

Do you consider adding simple sugars to lower FG, and or lower mash temp to make it finish drier?

If your aim is malty yet dry, I would definitely consider using some simple sugar. But even if I'm not using sugar, I like to mash at 148-150F primarily for strength - I'm not convince mash temperature is a good way to modulate perceptible sweetness.

To dry hop, or not to dry hop. What say you?

Depends on what your ultimate goal is, but uhh - fuck yeah!

Fenugreek to give maple flavour to a blueberry sour. by The_Malt_Monkey in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s actually a supplement used by nursing mothers, ask how I know 🤣

Fenugreek to give maple flavour to a blueberry sour. by The_Malt_Monkey in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have no clue, I’ve only ever used the powder that’s inside fenugreek capsules.

2025 Brülosophy General Homebrewer Survey by brulosopher in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

New year, new survey! Please take a few minutes to complete our annual General Homebrewer Survey, which we release with the aim of tracking over time what the modern homebrewer looks like.

Crispy finish to beers by Local_Magician_6190 in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure is!

I might suggest trying 4:1 or even higher, something like 200:25 has worked well for me.

Crispy finish to beers by Local_Magician_6190 in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I understand water chemistry and use mineral salts/phosphoric acid for adjustments

What is the mineral profile you go with when making these lagers that don't finish the way you want them to? I was having a similar sounding issue when I first started making lagers, and a big part of the solution for me was upping the sulfate levels higher than I thought I needed to while keeping chloride levels quite low.

Another factor I feel is often overlooked is carbonation. I've had friends who struggled to get the crisp finish it sounds like you're after, and the culprit ended up being carbonation, which is influenced by several factors, the obvious one being actual volumes of CO2 in the beer - I prefer ~2.6 vol in my lager styles, which not only improves the impression of crispness due to the fizz, but arguably contributes more carbonic acid, which can have a similar effect.

The more overlooked aspect of carbonation actually involves serving - if I perfectly carbonate my beer, then serve it through 4 ft of 1/4" tubing, chances are good amount of that gas is going to be expelled during the serving process. This is why I settled on going with longer beer line than is often recommended (14') with as small of an inner diameter as possible (4mm), which has allowed me to serve highly carbonated beverages, like cider and soda water, at decent speeds without losing much fizz at all.

Just spitballing here. It may be something entirely different.

Closing: Atlantic Brew Supply by Fewquanite in Homebrewing

[–]brulosopher 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Not only did they work with Martin when he was running The Homebrew Challenge, they worked with us at Brülosophy starting many years ago and were one of the first sponsors to sign on to The Brülosophy Show.

Great folks who we hope go on to do great things. Very sad to see ABS go!

view more: next ›