Flavored Home Brew Beer - It's Time For a Change

By Alex Ottis

Beer lovers all have different taste and brand preferences. The most well-known beers have a certain taste and quality to them that make them instantly recognizable to beer aficionados all over the world. However, there are tons of beer drinkers who feel that there is something missing from commercial brands of beer. The complaint made by many is that these beers are close to tasteless, sometimes comparable to water. Therefore, this is why those people become interested in brewing beer at home.

Brewing your own beer allows you to create your own unique flavors.

When brewing beer at home, it is quite possible to make beer that tastes very similar to the kinds sold on store's shelves. But, you probably want a beer that has a different taste, and there is a large variety to choose from. If you use certain ingredients, there is an infinite amount of home brewed beer you can make. That doesn't always mean that even though you can make a certain flavor that you should. Sometimes, a flavored brew can turn out to be disgusting. When you brew a flavored beer, use your imagination, but keep it under control.

Here's an example. You can make a home brewed beer that has a caramel flavor. Yes, a caramel flavored brew could be quite delicious, but some people can take it a little too far. They study the recipe and decided that adding more caramel than is called for would be a good idea. When the beer has finished brewing, they take a sip and immediately spit it out because it taste like a caramel soup gone bad. There are powders that taste like caramel available for purchase that will not overwhelm your taste buds.

Using good judgment when making flavored home brew beer is imperative to success; that doesn't mean that brewing beer at home can't be a blast. There are so many options. You could brew a cheese beer, but the outcome would not be favorable. Or, you could add a certain ingredient to your beer, but the beer might not always taste like that ingredient. This is why an imitation flavoring works better more often than the ingredient itself.

In other words, even though you love caramel and you certainly love beer, making home brewed caramel beer could turn out to be one of the nastiest drinks you ever put to your lips. This is not meant to deter you from tweaking and experimenting. You should just concentrate on finding the right combination and strengths of flavors. Fruit is always a good flavor choice. However, just because fruit is organic, you should not put it into your beer unrefined. Instead, put in a fruit extract. No, you are not cheating the home brew beer process; you are trying to make a home brewed beer that tastes good. Even with all of the options available, make sure to brew within the limits.

If you're looking for some more information about home beer brewing then check out homebrewingsecrets.net.

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Review: Carillon Brewing Company, Dayton Ohio's Newest (and Oldest) Micro Brewery

By Kathleen Hanover

Dayton, Ohio is seeing an explosion of micro-breweries and distilleries. But the most notable may be the only "new" brewery in the country that was built at a history museum: the Carillon Brewing Company at Carillon Historical Park.

The massive fireplace that powers the Carillon Brewery.

Though it opened in August, 2014, "new" is in quotation marks because the Brewery was built from scratch over the past year—to 1850s specifications. It is operated the same way: using handmade tools, wooden barrels and labor-intensive beer making techniques. All of the staff are outfitted in historical costumes—from the servers to the brewsters—giving you a glimpse into Dayton's past. (Yes, "brewsters" are a thing.)

Brewmaster Tonya Brock told WDTN news, “What we are doing as far has history goes is replicating as much of Dayton’s 1850’s brewing process. Everything from the implements we’re using to the beer that we’re making and the interpretation of the foods were serving. We’re trying to replicate some of the architecture you would have found in 1850’s brewery or factory. The large tempers were hand hued by the construction team here on our site. You’ll see and hear fires. Fires to keep you warm to fires to heat up our brewing kettles.”

Entering the brewery from the front, you walk past a semi-circle of handmade barrels that separate the hearth and working part of the brewery from the downstairs dining area and bar. The top of each barrel sports a plaque that explains a stage of the brewing process, allowing you to learn your way from one side of the room to the other. There are baskets of hops flowers and grains you can handle, and there's always a brewster nearby to answer any questions you have.

The building's 1850's architecture is as authentic as modern building codes will allow, with massive post-and-beam construction supporting a soaring two-story brick shell. The huge fireplace that is the heart of the brewery takes up the entire north wall of the building.

Did I mention the Carillon Brewing Company is also a lovely place to dine out? With a nod to the waves of German immigrants that settled in Ohio in the mid-nineteenth century, the menu features an array of Germanic dishes including sausages, German potato salad, red cabbage (all delicious, especially the Mettwurst) and other hearty fare. The bier cheese soup is both tangy and creamy, with a hint of bacon. The pretzel braid appetizer comes with grainy mustard and a fabulous beer cheese spread. Several more dishes have been added since the restaurant's soft open in August, including more modern selections such as cheeseburgers and fries.

When I visited in August, Ms. Brock told me that the Brewery would eventually offer a selection of handcrafted alcoholic and non-alcoholic brews, including ales, lagers, root beer and ginger ale. In mid-November, 2014, the brewsters starting making their first four in-house brews (see below).

The Carillon Brewing Company's root beer is on tap.

During my second visit in early November, none of the house-made brews were finished, though several barrels of in-process Coriander Ale were visible near the brewery's massive, multi-opening fireplace. So instead I sampled the Carillon Brewing Company's ginger ale. It is spectacularly superior to anything that comes in a two-liter bottle at the grocery. First, it's not cloyingly sweet. It's a beautiful pale yellow, not the chemically-enhanced amber you find in store-bought versions. The ginger taste predominates at first, but again, it's more subtle, light and refreshing than I'm used to. As the first floraly notes of ginger mellow, you start to get the aley finish notes. (Yes, it actually tastes like a very mild ale with ginger flavor. Imagine!) On my next trip to the Carillon Brewing Company, I'll leave with a growler full of Ginger Ale from the well-stocked gift shop.

As of December, 2014, here's what's brewing at the Carillon Brewing Company:

Beers
Coriander Ale — A mild pale ale with an even balance of malt and hops with a subtle touch of coriander and hot pepper to cure what ails you.

Table Ale — This old standard was served in houses and taverns alike. Simply malt, water, hops and yeast. A good drink to serve to all. Not too hoppy, not too malty.

Devonshire White Ale — Looking to cure colic or gravel? This ale should do the trick (or at least that is what was thought in the past). This hop-less ale must be consumed quickly after fermentation. Get a pint before it’s too late.

Porter — After a long day of moving barrels, making deliveries and carrying other’s goods, you are sure to be famished. The heartiness of this porter will fill you up while quenching your thirst. Made of a mix of pale, yellow and brown malt, this drink is made of what a working man can afford.

The Carillon Brewing Company is a must-see for anyone who enjoys handcrafted beer, history or even just an excellent meal in unique and fascinating surroundings. Though they can't enjoy the alcoholic offerings, older children will probably enjoy the ginger ale and root beer, and learning how it's all made.

The Carillon Brewing Company is open Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m. -10:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. Food service begins at 11:00 am daily. The Carillon Brewing Co. is part of Carillon Historical Park, 1000 Carillon Blvd., Dayton, Ohio 45409. There is no admission fee to tour the Brewery, but admission is required to visit the rest of the park's attractions. Food, beverages and souvenirs are available for purchase. For more information, visit the Carillon Brewing Company online or call (937) 910-0722.

About the Author
Kathleen Hanover is a marketing copywriter, freelance journalist and public relations consultant who enjoys helping startup companies find their voice--then find their audience. Connect with Kathleen on LinkedIn or visit her online.

How to Find and Select a Home Brewing Kit to Make Your Own Beer From Home

By Robert Ragsdale
Are you one of the many aspiring home brewers who is just starting to appreciate their enjoyable new hobby, the art of home brewing beer? If you have relatively no experience in purchasing the necessary supplies and ingredients used in brewing your own beer from home, it would probably be ideal for you to just begin with purchasing a home brewing kit, as well as a thorough home brewing guide to get you started as quickly as possible.

The advantage of starting out with brewing kits is that everything that you need in order to start brewing beer at home all in one convenient package, so you will not need to spend an excess amount of time discerning which materials and ingredients you will need to brew beer at the house. As a novice home brewer, you may not be altogether familiar with the various supplies that you will need to brew your own beer, so it would not be truly practical for you to purchase all the necessary ingredients separately.

Purchasing Your Home Brewing Starter Kits
Researching and understanding the ingredients and the appropriate supplies that are needed in brewing beer from home is an understandable prerequisite before you set out to purchase any home brewing kits. If you are familiar with anyone who is in to home beer brewing, ask for their opinions on supplies and ingredients to save money and gather your needs more efficiently. Most experienced home brewers are more than happy and proud to share their knowledge on the subject - it will undoubtedly not be difficult for you to gain some valuable tips from an experienced home brewer.

Many home brewing starter kits come with barley or wheat

If possible, you may ask an experienced brewer to allow you to sit in and observe the process of brewing one's own beer. It would be wise to bring along a notebook so you could take notes and capitalize on all the knowledge you could gain from the situation. Take note of any and all details, especially concerning the materials and equipments utilized in the brewing process. This information will prove to be very handy when you ultimately decide to go out and order your own brewing kits.

The majority of home brewing kits come ready in small and useful packages which you can be put to use quickly and easily. For example, if you have an interest in buying organic brewing kits, there are a lot of them that are composed of small grain bags. The grain bags generally contain organic malt extract and fresh organic hops. Basic brewing instructions can be located inside the grain bags, as a general rule. In most cases, any instructions that are included with these brew kits are usually generic, but detailed, and are very easy to understand and follow. Purchasing a home brewing guide will definitely enhance your creativity and allow you to explore the many angles at which you can approach making your own beer from home.

Do not be discouraged if you do not perfect the taste of your home brewed beer on the first try - do not give up - practice makes perfect, and you will soon find that with little practice, the process is easier than it seems.

Keep in mind that learning the home brewing process to make your own beer from home takes a little bit of time and a degree of patience - with an unwavering dedication and a good degree of effort, you will soon be on your way to making your own great tasting home brewed beer.

Robert Ragsdale has been brewing his own beer and making his own wine from home for the last 12+ years.

For more home brewing tips, visit his blog for free online resources, videos, guides, kits and great beer recipes at [http://www.easybrewing.info]

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Buy Beer Brew Starter Kits-Hold On A Minute! by Bryon Zirker

Brewing on a domestic level has been done for thousands of years, but has been subject to regulation and prohibition. States remain free to restrict, or even prohibit, the manufacture of beer, mead, hard cider, wine and other alcoholic beverages at home. For example, Ala. Please pour yourself a cold one and sit back and enjoy this read.

Knowledge of brewing beer and wine was passed on from the Egyptians to the Greeks and finally to the Romans. Alcohol has been brewed domestically throughout its 7000-year history beginning in Mesopotamia, Egypt and China. The ticket is making an amazing beer that commercial beer brewers would like to keep secret from the public.

The goal these days is to build a good beer brewed from fresh grain and hops, one that is pure all-grain wort, made the same way as those very good commercial micro brewed beers, otherwise what is the point of brewing your own beer, right? Either brew some good stuff or just go buy it. In the United Kingdom, diverse pioneers were home winemakers owing to the greater availability of information and ingredients. These included C. J. J.

Primary fermentation of home brewing takes place in a large glass or plastic carboys or food-grade plastic bucket, nearly always sealed. Home brewers can make beers in a variety of styles. Cider Beer making kits are frequently pre-boiled with the hops.

Sometimes known as beer in a can, no-boil, and hopped wort; beer kits contain liquid malt extract that, when reconstituted with water, produces wort. Wort is typically boiled for an hour to two hours, which allows the beer to be infused with hop flavor and which also has the effect of sterilizing the liquid so that it will not be contaminated before the addition of yeast.

Having a high quality beer making guide that will enhance and help you complete the beer making sustain is paramount. A guide that will steer you clear of trouble and remedy you with the equipment choices and the best quality ingredients like those from Muntons, Coopers, Briess and Brewers Best to name just a few. Home brewing can be cheaper than buying commercially equivalent beverages; it can allow people to adjust recipes to their own tastes (creating beverages that are unavailable on the open market, or low-ethanol beverages which may contain less calories and so be less-fattening); or people may enjoy entering home brew competitions. Quit spending your money on poor tasteless commercial beer from the local store! All you home beer brewers should have the very best start admissible for a great beer making meet.

Buy Beer Brew Starter Kits

There are home brewing methods that can save you hard earned cash at the same time allowing you to brew some of the best beer ever made right at home.

Buy Beer Brew Starter Kits Learn How To
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Home Brew Beer, a fantastic hobby and pastime - if you know how! by N Thomas

Having spent a couple of hours with a friend the other day in our local bar I was staggered at how much the evening had cost. It was the price of a small mortgage! All so we could have a couple of drinks in a bar that had no atmosphere and very few people. The smoking ban really has reduced the amount of customers visiting bars these days. And the cost certainly doesn't help!

So this got me thinking. Why not try brewing my own beer? Many years back I had tried my hand at wine making with some success, well I enjoyed it anyway.

So off I went and bought myself a beer making kit, the bottles, plastic barrel, bucket and pipes, the whole works, and set about making my first batch of home brew beer following precisely the kits instructions.

Each night I would eagerly come home from work and make a bee line for my mini brewery just so I could witness the changes in the fermentation since I had last looked and smell the heady aroma.
Then one weekend came the big day. Bottling up time!

With my wife safely settled in our local shopping centre I spent the whole afternoon happily syphoning the golden liquid into newly washed and sterilized bottles. After leaving the bottles for the specified time, not easy when your taste buds are tormenting you, I invited my friend over for the first ever tasting.

I opened the first bottle and holding it at an angle to the glass I slowly and lovingly poured out the liquid. One glass for me and one for my friend. Cheers, we both said and sipped our first mouthful.
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly didn't meet my expectations. It tasted kind of odd, and had a strange smell to it. One mouthful was all I wanted. Trouble was I had gallon of the evil smelling liquid.

That was when I realized there is a knack to brewing beer. There is a process to be followed and tricks to be learnt that the home brew instructions simply don't tell you.

Home brewing is a fantastic hobby that everyone can get involved with, and a very cheap way of quenching your thirst.

It's much easier than you would think to make a good home brew once you know all the tricks and secrets. On my blog http://makeabetterhomebrew.blogspot.com/ you can learn how to find out about all the secrets of making a better home brew.

More home brewing supplies are available at RiverHorseBrewery.com.

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Beer Brewing Equipment - A Brewmaster's Guide by John Gergets

So you've decided to brew your own beer? Good for you! Beer brewing is a noble art, practiced for centuries by people just like you. All you need to brew your own beer is a little knowledge and the right beer brewing equipment. So let's get started!

Beer is one of the world's oldest beverages. It is still one of the world's most popular beverages. The past 20 years have seen a resurgence of craft and micro-brewing. This, in turn, has educated people about the complexity of what a good beer contains. The growth of small brewing has also led to the growth of the home brewing movement. People like you are brewing some of the world's finest, and rarest, beers right in their own homes. So, what beer brewing equipment do you need?
First, you need at brew kettle. A brew kettle is nothing more than a large stainless steel pot with at least a five gallon capacity. You use your brew kettle to cook what is known as wort. Wort is simply all the beer ingredients, minus the yeast, heated and cooled together.

The next piece of beer brewing equipment you need a six gallon carboy. A carboy is a glass or plastic container that holds liquid. You've seen one on the top of every water cooler. Yup, that's a carboy. The carboy is used to hold the wort, plus the yeast, while fermentation occurs. You're also going to need a bung. That's the rubber stopper that fits in the neck of the carboy and keeps liquid in and air out.

An important piece of beer brewing equipment is a good thermometer. Beer brewing is a science, as well as an art. Precise temperature control is needed to produce a good tasting and good looking product. A good thermometer gives you this precision.

You're also going to need a bottling bucket, which is simply a six gallon plastic bucket with a spigot in it's base. You'll use this bucket to hold the fermented wort during the bottling process. The spigot controls the flow of the wort into the bottles.

Speaking of bottles, you're going to need some empty ones. A five gallon batch of beer fills approximately 144 bottles, so that's how many you'll need. A good source for bottles is the empties you have around when you finish a few beers. Breweries regularly reuse bottles. You should too! Plus, it gives you a good excuse to have a beer or two.

Finally, the last piece of beer brewing equipment you'll need are bottle caps and a bottle capper. Bottle caps are fairly self explanatory. You place a cap over the open end of a newly filled bottle and the capper crimps the ends of the cap around the bottle neck. This creates a tight seal which keeps air out and carbonation in as your beer goes through the final aging process.

That's about it. Sure, there are a few more do-dads that you could pick up if you wanted to, but the above list is really all the beer brewing equipment you need to start brewing right. Cheers!

John Gergets is a former attorney turned stay-at-home dad and works as a content writer at Class Act Content. An avid home brewer, you can read more about home brewing at John's website, Beer Brewing Information. Home