Exploring the Surprising History of Black Henbane in Brewing

Craft beer today may pack a punch, but imagine drinking a brew so potent it caused hallucinations! In medieval Europe, that was a real risk. The culprit? A plant known as black henbane, or Hyoscyamus niger. This notorious nightshade family member was intentionally added to ales for its intoxicating—and sometimes frightening—effects.

Hyoscyamus niger -otherwise known as Henbane

The Strange Brew of Black Henbane

Before hops became the flavoring standard, medieval brewers often experimented with an array of herbs and plants, known collectively as “gruit.” Black henbane was a go-to ingredient in some regions. Its effects were intense: the plant could create a strong buzz, quicken inebriation, and even produce sensations far beyond ordinary drunkenness. For brewers, this meant happy (if slightly unhinged) patrons, thirsty for more. But the line between a good time and a hazardous experience was thin; just a bit too much henbane could lead to hallucinations and even dangerous health effects.

One peculiar trait of black henbane made it especially problematic: it causes a severe dry mouth. With every sip, drinkers grew thirstier, often downing pint after pint. For a 14th-century partygoer, that might sound ideal—until the hallucinations set in.

How Henbane Lost Its Place in Beer History

Henbane – Brittanica

By the early 1500s, the popularity of henbane-laced beer started to fade. Germany’s Beer Purity Law of 1516, or Reinheitsgebot, officially banned the use of ingredients like black henbane in favor of hops, which was safer, more affordable, and improved shelf life. Hops soon became the norm, and henbane was left behind, though not without lingering whispers of witchcraft and mysticism.

Since women often brewed beer, they were sometimes associated with the plant’s “magical” properties and faced accusations of witchcraft. In his 1827 Homeopathic Materia Medica, William Boericke even described the henbane experience as one of “mania,” highlighting its disturbing, almost diabolical effects.

Henbane as a Medieval Remedy

Henbane

While black henbane is best known for its wild effects in beer, it was also valued for its medicinal properties. Civilizations from ancient Greece to Persia used it in small doses to treat chronic pain, insomnia, epilepsy, and more. Although modern medicine has retained certain henbane compounds like hyoscyamine, it remains a toxic substance and should only be used under medical supervision.

The Safer—and Tastier—Alternative: Hops

Hops on the vine

Luckily, today’s brewers stick with hops, giving us beers that satisfy without the risk of hallucinations or worse. Curious about gruit ales? While they’re rare, a few craft breweries experiment with gruit-inspired recipes (minus the henbane, of course). It’s a fascinating throwback to the days before hops reigned supreme.

Next time you crack open a beer, raise a glass to hops and the steady hands of modern brewers. And if the idea of a henbane-laced ale has piqued your interest, remember: medieval brews were risky business. Hops not only bring bitterness but also a refreshing peace of mind—a perfect companion for today’s craft beer scene.

Cheers to history, mystery, and the safety of hops!

More Homebrewing Articles

• The Ultimate Guide to Homebrewing: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for 2024
• Brewing a Traditional Lithuanian Farmhouse Beer – Keptinis
• INKBIRD ITC-308 Product Review
• Book Review: The Homebrewer’s Garden: How to Easily Grow, Prepare, and Use Your Own Hops, Malts, Brewing Herbs (Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher)
• The Beer That Had Medieval Drinkers Seeing Things – Exploring the Surprising History of Black Henbane in Brewing

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #5 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of August 2024.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

Pumpkin Patch Noir – a Chocolate Pumpkin Stout

Pumpkin Patch Noir

Introducing Pumpkin Patch Noir, a dark, decadent creation that brings together the cozy essence of autumn and the rich complexity of a stout. This beer is an ode to chilly nights spent by the fire, wrapped in warm blankets, and the scent of spices lingering in the air.

Appearance: Pouring a deep, velvety black with a creamy tan head, Pumpkin Patch Noir is as visually striking as it is delicious. The head slowly dissipates, leaving behind a delicate lacing that clings to the glass, hinting at the full-bodied experience that awaits.

Aroma: As you bring the glass to your nose, the first thing you’ll notice is a blend of chocolate and roasted malts, mingling with the unmistakable scent of pumpkin pie spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a touch of clove rise from the glass, evoking memories of freshly baked pumpkin treats.

Flavor: The first sip is an indulgent journey. The stout’s rich, roasted malt backbone provides a smooth canvas for layers of dark chocolate and cocoa, followed by the subtle sweetness of real pumpkin. The spices are perfectly balanced, adding warmth without overwhelming the palate. As the flavors develop, a hint of vanilla emerges, rounding out the taste and leaving a lingering, pleasant sweetness.

Mouthfeel: Pumpkin Patch Noir boasts a full, creamy body that coats the palate, making each sip feel like a luxurious treat. The carbonation is moderate, giving the beer a soft effervescence that enhances its drinkability while preserving its rich character.

Finish: The finish is smooth, with the roasted malts and chocolate gently fading, leaving behind a delicate spiciness and a whisper of vanilla. It’s the kind of beer that invites you to take another sip, savoring the complex interplay of flavors.

Pairing: Pumpkin Patch Noir pairs beautifully with autumnal desserts like pumpkin pie, pecan pie, or a slice of rich chocolate cake. For a savory match, try it with roasted meats or a hearty beef stew. It’s also a fantastic companion to a cheese board featuring aged cheddars and blue cheeses.

Seasonal Appeal: This is the perfect beer for fall festivities—Halloween gatherings, Thanksgiving feasts, or simply enjoying a crisp evening with friends. Pumpkin Patch Noir is more than just a beer; it’s a celebration of the season, capturing the essence of autumn in every glass. So, grab a pint, take a sip, and let the flavors of Pumpkin Patch Noir transport you to a pumpkin patch at dusk, where the mysteries of the night are just beginning to unfold.

The Recipe

The Homebrewer’s Garden: How to Easily Grow, Prepare, and Use Your Own Hops, Malts, Brewing Herbs by Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher

Homebrewing

Homebrewing is a fascinating and rewarding hobby that allows beer enthusiasts to create their own unique brews from the comfort of their homes. The process involves combining basic ingredients—malted grains, hops, yeast, and water—in specific ways to produce a wide variety of beer styles. Homebrewing offers an incredible amount of creative freedom, as brewers can experiment with different ingredients and techniques to craft beers that match their personal tastes and preferences. This DIY approach not only deepens one’s appreciation for the art and science of brewing but also provides a sense of accomplishment with each successful batch.

The journey of homebrewing typically begins with selecting a recipe and gathering the necessary equipment and ingredients. Beginner brewers often start with extract brewing, which uses malt extract to simplify the process. This method requires less equipment and shorter brew times, making it accessible for newcomers. As brewers gain experience and confidence, many transition to all-grain brewing, which involves mashing malted grains to extract fermentable sugars. All-grain brewing offers greater control over the beer’s flavor and body, allowing for more nuanced and complex brews. Essential equipment for homebrewing includes a large kettle, fermenter, airlock, thermometer, hydrometer, and bottling supplies.

The brewing process itself is a blend of science and art. It begins with mashing, where crushed grains are soaked in hot water to convert starches into sugars. The resulting liquid, called wort, is then boiled, and hops are added at various stages to impart bitterness, flavor, and aroma. After boiling, the wort is rapidly cooled and transferred to a fermenter, where yeast is added to begin fermentation. During this stage, which can last from a few days to several weeks, the yeast consumes the sugars in the wort, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide. Monitoring and maintaining proper fermentation temperatures is crucial for ensuring the desired characteristics of the final beer.

After fermentation, the beer is typically conditioned for a period to develop its flavors and carbonation. This can be done in bottles or kegs, with the addition of a small amount of sugar or pressurized CO2 to create carbonation. Patience is key during this phase, as conditioning can take several weeks, but the wait is usually well worth it. Once conditioning is complete, the beer is ready to be enjoyed. Homebrewers often take pride in sharing their creations with friends and family, and the feedback received can be invaluable for refining future batches.

One of the most exciting aspects of homebrewing is the community that comes with it. Homebrewers are a passionate and supportive group, often eager to share tips, recipes, and experiences. Many cities have homebrew clubs where members can exchange knowledge and sample each other’s beers. Online forums and social media groups also provide a wealth of information and camaraderie. Whether brewing solo or with a group, homebrewing is a hobby that fosters creativity, learning, and a deeper appreciation for the craft of beer making. It’s a journey filled with experimentation, occasional challenges, and the ultimate reward of enjoying a beer that’s truly your own.

Growing Hops

Growing hops is a rewarding endeavor for homebrewers looking to infuse their beer with fresh, homegrown ingredients. Hops are the flowers of the hop plant (Humulus lupulus), and they play a crucial role in brewing by adding bitterness, flavor, and aroma to beer. The first step in growing hops is selecting the right variety based on your climate and the flavor profile you desire. Popular varieties like Cascade, Centennial, and Chinook are favored by many brewers for their versatility and distinctive characteristics. Hops require a sunny location with well-drained soil, and they thrive in temperate climates with long days during the growing season.

Once you’ve chosen your hop varieties, the next step is planting. Hops are typically grown from rhizomes, which are root cuttings taken from mature plants. Plant the rhizomes in early spring, about 4-6 inches deep, and space them about 3 feet apart to give each plant plenty of room to grow. As hops are vigorous climbers, it’s essential to provide a sturdy trellis or support system for the bines (the stems of the hop plant) to climb. Regular watering, especially during dry periods, and mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture and keep the roots cool.

Caring for hops involves regular maintenance to ensure healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. Hops can grow up to 20 feet in a single season, so training the bines to climb the trellis is crucial. Pruning the lower leaves and shoots encourages airflow and reduces the risk of disease. Hops are susceptible to pests such as aphids and spider mites, as well as diseases like powdery mildew. Regular inspection and prompt treatment with appropriate organic or chemical controls can help manage these issues. By late summer, the hop cones will begin to ripen, and you’ll know they are ready to harvest when they feel dry and papery, and the lupulin glands inside the cones are a vibrant yellow. After harvesting, the hops should be dried and stored properly to preserve their qualities for brewing.

Book Review: The Homebrewer’s Garden: How to Easily Grow, Prepare, and Use Your Own Hops, Malts, Brewing Herbs by Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher

GoodReads Blurb:

Grow a beer garden! Enhance the flavor, aroma, and personality of your homebrew by cultivating your own hops, herbs, and malt grains. With expert advice on choosing and maintaining the best plants for your needs, Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher show you how to turn a small patch of backyard, or even a few window boxes, into a renewable brewing supply store. Discover the satisfaction that comes from brewing tasty beers using fresh homegrown ingredients.

GoodReads – The Homebrewer’s Garden

The Homebrewer’s Garden by Joe Fisher and Dennis Fisher is an essential guide for any homebrewer looking to elevate their craft by cultivating their own ingredients. This comprehensive manual covers the entire process of growing, preparing, and utilizing hops, malts, and brewing herbs, making it a valuable resource for both novice and experienced brewers who wish to take a hands-on approach to their beer-making.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its detailed and practical advice on gardening techniques tailored specifically for brewing ingredients. The Fishers draw from their extensive experience to provide step-by-step instructions on planting, nurturing, and harvesting hops and other plants. They also include information on soil preparation, pest management, and seasonal care, ensuring that readers have all the tools they need to successfully grow high-quality ingredients. The authors’ passion for homebrewing and gardening shines through, making the text engaging and accessible.

Beyond gardening, The Homebrewer’s Garden delves into the preparation and use of these homegrown ingredients in brewing. The book offers a wealth of recipes and brewing tips, demonstrating how to incorporate fresh hops, malted grains, and herbs into a variety of beer styles. The inclusion of unique brewing herbs like yarrow, juniper, and coriander adds an exciting dimension for brewers looking to experiment with flavors and create distinctive brews. This holistic approach, from garden to glass, empowers homebrewers to craft beers that are truly their own, imbued with the flavors and aromas of their own gardens.

In conclusion, The Homebrewer’s Garden is an invaluable resource that combines practical gardening advice with creative brewing techniques. Joe and Dennis Fisher have crafted a guide that is not only informative but also inspiring, encouraging homebrewers to explore the full potential of their craft. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your brewing process with homegrown ingredients, this book is a must-have addition to your brewing library.

My GoodReads Rating: ***
My LibraryThing Rating: ***1/2
Global Average GoodReads Rating: 3.75 (as of 4.30.24)

Homebrewing Recipes

We are circling back to include more homebrew articles. We have gotten some requests for recipes, so we have decided to write them up and post them here. Be sure to check for other Homebrew articles and recipes as well!

• Brewing a Traditional Lithuanian Farmhouse Beer – Keptinis (Karl Larson)

• Nebula Nectar Hazy IPA (Homebrew Recipe)

• Titan’s Tribute Barleywine (Homebrew Recipe)

• Mad Elf Inspired Clone (Homebrew Recipe)

• Dark Souls Schwarzbier (Homebrew Recipe)

• Quadruple Hopocalypse – Quad IPA (Homebrew Recipe)

Homebrewing Articles

• The Ultimate Guide to Homebrewing: Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for 2024

Other Book Reviews

• Book Review: The Greatest Beer Run Ever (John Chick Donohue and J.T. Molloy)

• Book Review: Subpar Parks: America’s Most Extraordinary National Parks and Their Least Impressed Visitors (Amber Share)

• Book Review: Courage is Calling (Ryan Holiday)

• Book Review: The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity (Carlo M. Cipolla)

• Book Review: Brewed in Japan (Jeffrey Alexander)

• Book Review: The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life (Armand M. Nicholi Jr.)

• Book Review: Family Reins (Billy Busch)

• Book Review: The Last Days of the Dinosaurs: An Asteroid, Extinction, and the Beginning of Our World (Riley Black)

• Book Review: The Wit and Humor of Oscar Wilde (Oscar Wilde)

• Book Review: Create Dangerously (Albert Camus)
• Book Review: The Road (Cormac McCarthy)
• Book Review: The Donnie Darko Book (Richard Kelly)
• Book Review: How to Rule the World: A Handbook for the Aspiring Dictator (André de Guillaume)
• Book Review: Here is New York (E.B. White)
• Book Review: Uncle John’s Beer Topia
• Book Review: I Drink For a Reason (David Cross)

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

Twelve78 Brewing Company Logo (photo courtesy of Twelve78 Brewing Company)

Twelve78 Brewing Company To Open Its Doors on May 17th In Phoenixville

A homebrewed Hazy IPA. The “Nebula Nectar Hazy IPA”.

Nebula Nectar Hazy IPA (Homebrew Recipe)

Essentials for home brewing.

Homebrewing is an exciting and rewarding hobby that allows you to create your own unique beers right at home. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced brewer looking to refine your skills, this guide covers everything you need to know about homebrewing in 2024. From essential equipment to advanced techniques, let’s dive into the world of homebrewing.

Getting Started with Homebrewing

1. Essential Homebrewing Equipment

• Brew Kettle: A large pot where you will boil your wort. Stainless steel kettles are preferred for their durability.
• Fermenter: A container where the wort will ferment and turn into beer. Glass or plastic carboys are common choices.
• Airlock: A device that allows CO2 to escape during fermentation while keeping contaminants out.
• Sanitizer: Keeping your equipment clean is crucial. Use a no-rinse sanitizer to ensure everything is sanitized before use.
• Hydrometer: A tool for measuring the specific gravity of your wort to track fermentation progress.

2. Basic Homebrewing Process

• Mashing: Steeping grains in hot water to extract fermentable sugars.
• Boiling: Boiling the wort with hops to add bitterness and flavor.
• Cooling: Rapidly cooling the wort to a temperature suitable for yeast pitching.
• Fermenting: Adding yeast to the wort and allowing it to ferment.
• Bottling/Kegging: Transferring the beer to bottles or a keg for carbonation and aging.

Homebrewing Tips for Beginners

1. Start Simple: Begin with extract brewing before moving to all-grain brewing. This allows you to focus on the brewing process without the complexity of mashing grains.

2. Maintain Cleanliness: Always sanitize your equipment to prevent contamination and spoilage of your beer.

3. Control Temperature: Keep your fermentation temperature within the recommended range for your yeast strain to ensure optimal fermentation.

4. Take Detailed Notes: Record your brewing process, ingredients, and observations. This helps in troubleshooting and improving future batches.

5. Be Patient: Good beer takes time. Allow your beer to ferment completely and condition properly before tasting.

Advanced Homebrewing Techniques

1. All-Grain Brewing:

• Grain Selection: Choose a variety of malts to create complex flavors.
• Mash Efficiency: Optimize your mashing process to extract the maximum amount of fermentable sugars.

2. Yeast Management:

• Yeast Starter: Create a yeast starter to ensure a healthy fermentation.
• Yeast Harvesting: Save and reuse yeast from previous batches to reduce costs and maintain consistency.

3. Water Chemistry:

• Water Profile: Adjust your brewing water to match the desired beer style. Use brewing salts to modify pH and mineral content.
• Filtration: Filter your water to remove chlorine and chloramine, which can affect beer flavor.

4. Advanced Fermentation Techniques:

• Temperature Control: Use a fermentation chamber or temperature controller to maintain precise fermentation temperatures.
• Secondary Fermentation: Transfer your beer to a secondary fermenter to reduce sediment and improve clarity.

5. Barrel Aging and Souring:

• Barrel Aging: Age your beer in wooden barrels to impart unique flavors from the wood and previous contents.
• Sour Beers: Experiment with wild yeast and bacteria to create complex sour beers.

Popular Homebrew Recipes for 2024

1. Hazy IPA:

• Ingredients: Pale malt, oats, wheat, Citra hops, Mosaic hops, Vermont ale yeast.
• Profile: Juicy, hazy, and bursting with tropical fruit flavors.

2. Belgian Tripel:

• Ingredients: Pilsner malt, sugar, Saaz hops, Belgian yeast.
• Profile: Light-bodied, high ABV, with spicy and fruity yeast character.

3. Coffee Stout:

• Ingredients: Pale malt, roasted barley, chocolate malt, coffee beans, English ale yeast.
• Profile: Rich, roasty, with intense coffee aroma and flavor.

Troubleshooting Common Homebrewing Issues

1. Off-Flavors:

• Problem: Your beer has an undesirable taste (e.g., buttery, fruity, or sour).
• Solution: Identify the source (e.g., contamination, fermentation temperature) and adjust your process accordingly.

2. Poor Fermentation:

• Problem: Slow or stuck fermentation.
• Solution: Ensure proper yeast pitching rate and oxygenate your wort before fermentation.

3. Clarity Issues:

• Problem: Hazy or cloudy beer when it should be clear.
• Solution: Use fining agents, cold crash your beer, and ensure proper mashing techniques.

Conclusion

Homebrewing is a journey of creativity and discovery. By starting with the basics and gradually incorporating advanced techniques, you can brew amazing beers right in your own home. Whether you’re crafting a crisp pale ale or a complex barrel-aged stout, the possibilities are endless. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the kettle, and start brewing!

Stay tuned for more homebrewing tips, recipes, and updates. Happy brewing!

By providing comprehensive information and addressing common interests in the homebrewing community, this article is designed to attract readers and achieve a top spot on Google. Enjoy your homebrewing adventures in 2024!

Homebrewing Recipes

We are circling back to include more homebrew articles. We have gotten some requests for recipes, so we have decided to write them up and post them here. Be sure to check for other Homebrew articles and recipes as well!

• Brewing a Traditional Lithuanian Farmhouse Beer – Keptinis (Karl Larson)

• Nebula Nectar Hazy IPA (Homebrew Recipe)

• Titan’s Tribute Barleywine (Homebrew Recipe)

• Mad Elf Inspired Clone (Homebrew Recipe)

• Dark Souls Schwarzbier (Homebrew Recipe)

• Quadruple Hopocalypse – Quad IPA (Homebrew Recipe)

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

This is a overview and a review of the INKBIRD ITC-308 as it relates to homebrewing. The temperature control board can be used for several other things – for aquariums, terrariums, for food cooking, and more – but specifically for us – this review pertains to how it can be used for homebrewing.

I will cover it more later in the article, but I first want to say that this product was given to me in lieu of a review. .

Temperature

Ask any homebrewer what one of the most important things about home brewing is – and the answer will be quick and succinct – temperature. Temperature while formenting, temperature while mashing, temperature while pitching; temperature, temperature… temperature.

The INKBIRD ITC-308(S) WiFi temperature controller is considered to be the best option for homebrewing among temperature controllers. In the United States – the INKBIRD ITC-308 is considered to be one of the premier options for temperature control during fermentation.

What’s in the Box?

“Whats in the box?! Whats in the box?!” No… I won’t do a full Se7en parody for you, but I will tell you what comes with the box:

• Manual in multiple languages
• A warranty card
• The ITC-308 (135mm x 68mm x 33mm / 5.3in x 2.7in x 1.3in)
  • Temperatureprobe / sensor
  • Dual-Socket
  • 2 LCD Displays

Specifications

Features

Some of the high – level features of the Inkbird ITC-308 include:

• plug and play design
• Double relay output (cooling & heating at the same time)
• Dual display (measured and target temperature)
• Temperature calibration.
• Alarms for too high and too low temperatures.
• Adjustable (separate) heating/cooling difference function (hysteresis)

Installation

This is pretty much idiot proof – I do say “pretty much”. Its plug and play really, but you never know with some people. The INKBIRD ITC-308 is made up of a main control unit, which has a couple of LCD displays, and buttons for adjusting settings and configuration parameters.

If you would like to check out the online manual – you can find it here: INKBIRD ITC-308 Manual.

You should always read the manual first.

Mounting the Main Unit

The main unit of the INKBIRD WiFi ITC-308 can be easily mounted via the keyhole slot at the top of the unit. Easy peasy. This makes it easy to hang from a screw on the wall near the equipment you are controlling; although you could also easily use velcro strips or two – sided tape. I would like to point out here, it would be nice if there was a second keyhole slot at the bottom for a second screw positioned to make sure it stays on the wall good, but this is a bit superfluous.

Mounting the Power Outlets

The Heating and Cooling outlets are combined in a “mini power strip” connected to the main unit by a short cable. This is a feature you can find on many similar devices, and its nice and easy.

Like the main unit, the outlets can be mounted via a single keyhole for a screw or nail. This is where having a second keyhole slot on both parts would be nice to make sure everything stays mounted straight up and down, but its not absolutely needed.

Temperature Probe Mounting

The temp probe is connected to the main unit via a hardwired, 5′ length of cable.

You will want to mount the probe as close as possible to the area where you are keeping your fermenting beer will be located, and away from heating and cooling surfaces. That should give you a pretty accurate reading, and help avoid rapid cycling of equipment.

Do not submerge the probe into your beer. Instead, make use of the Heating Difference Value, Cooling Difference Value, and Refrigeration Delay settings to compensate for temperature swings and protect your equipment.

Buttons

Lets look into how the buttons on the main user interface lets you do certian things.

Setting the Target Temperature

Setting the temperature the “old school” way is easy: First, press the “SET” button for less than 3s. Second, press the arrow up and down keys to change the target temperature. This will be shown instantly on the lower LCD screen. Lastly, press “SET” again to save the target temperature.

Remember when using buttons was “old school”; just like having to get up and change the channels on your TV by yourself?

Setting the Configuration

First, hold the “SET” button for less than 3s. The menu will cycle will show. To get to the next menu item, short press SET. To exit the menu, you can press SET for more than 3s anytime:

• TS: Temeprature Set value – Setting the target temperature.
• HD: Heating Differential value – Defines a deadzone, where the heating socket is not turned on, despite the process value being below the temperature set value.
• CD: Cooling Differential value – same for cooling.
• AH: Alarm high limit – set the alert if this temperature is exceeded.
• AL: Alarm low limit – same as above, just the lower threshold.
• PT: Compressor delay – Delay for the cooling socket. If the cooling socket is flagged for turning on, this periode has to pass. This is to protect your compressor from being turned on and off to often.
• CA: Temperature calibration – If your temperature probe has an offset you can correct it here. The temperature relevant for turning on/off the sockets is calculated by “measured temperature + CA”.
• CF: Display in Fahrenheit or Centigrade / Celsius

Pros and Cons of the INKBIRD ITC-308

So you got an idea of how it works, all the features, the nifty things it can do, but whats our thoughts on it? What did we like and not like about it? Well, here it is, the things we loved and didn’t love about the Inkbird ITC-308:

Pros

• Easy to setup.
• Nice app(s) – we used the Inkbird Pro.
• Two displays are great to glimpse the current and target temperature – without having to pull out the phone and open an app.
• The max power of 2.3kW is easily enough to power any fermentation device such as a fridge, freezer, or glycol chiller.
• Data can be exported.
• Calibration of temperature offsets.
• Possibility to set alarms.
• Plug and Play
• Simple to Use
• Connectivity
• Overall Good Value

Cons

• Relais is turned off when the target temperature is reached. This will inevitably lead to temperature overshoots. Which is bad during mashing, especially during mash out – where you want to stay below 78°C / 172°F.
• The max power of 2.3kW (for 230V) is not sufficient to power common mashing devices such as the Hendi Induction Plate (3.5kW) or a typical heating element (3.2kW).
• The temperature sensor is hard to replace. This issue is however solved with the Inkbird ITC-380S.
• Logging interval is pretty long.
• Hardwired Temperature Probe – In some ways, it’s good that the temp probe is hard-wired. You don’t have to make any connections.

In Summary

In my opinion, the Inkbird ITC 308 gets the job done well, affordably, and reliably.

The cost to value ratio is outstanding

Having everything integrated into a single unit makes it far more convenient than building your own setup and using a cheaper control unit or letting it up to chance. This gives homebrewers a better degree of control over the temperature.

This controller can be used for many different applications. Fermentation chamber control and kegerator serving temperature control are common uses.

These are easily the best homebrewing temperature controllers I have used or am aware of. (Let me know what your thoughts are in the comments.)

The Inkbird ITC-308 is great device for homebrewers – especially for fermentation. In this case, temperature under- and overshoots are as well as the fact that the temperature is logged only every fifteen minutes is negligible.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Like I said at the beginning of this article, I received an Inkbird ITC-308 in lieu of a review. I have given my thoughts as my own, unchanged by receiving this item for free, and I have not been told what to say. I would like to thank Cecilia Kwok for the item and the chance to review it.

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

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(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)

How to Build Your Own Homebrew: A Comprehensive Guide for Craft Beer Enthusiasts

Craft beer has become a popular beverage among beer enthusiasts worldwide. With its complex and diverse flavors, it has captured the hearts of many beer drinkers. If you’re one of those enthusiasts and are interested in taking your love for craft beer to the next level, why not try your hand at homebrewing? In this post, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to build your own homebrew, including all the equipment you will need, the brewing process, and some tips and tricks to get you started.

Equipment Needed for Homebrewing

Different pictures of our brewday and the equipment used.

Before we dive into the brewing process, let’s first take a look at the equipment you’ll need. While it may seem daunting at first, the essential equipment needed for homebrewing can be relatively affordable.

• Brewing Kettle: This is where you’ll boil your wort (unfermented beer).

• Fermenter: This is where your beer will ferment.

• Airlock: This will allow gases to escape during fermentation without allowing any contaminants to enter.

• Siphon: This is used to transfer the beer from the fermenter to the bottling bucket.

• Bottling Equipment: This includes bottles, caps, and a capper.

The Brewing Process

Homebrewing involves several steps, each of which is essential to making a delicious brew. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the brewing process:

1. Mashing: Heat water in your brewing kettle, then add crushed grains. Allow the grains to steep at a specific temperature range (around 145-155°F) for an hour, allowing the enzymes to convert the starches in the grains into sugars.
2. Boiling: Bring the wort to a boil, adding hops and any other flavorings as desired.
3. Fermenting: Transfer the boiled wort to the fermenter and add yeast. Allow it to ferment at a specific temperature range (usually between 60-70°F) for about a week.
4. Bottling: Transfer the fermented beer to a bottling bucket using a siphon, then add priming sugar (which will carbonate the beer) and mix thoroughly. Bottle the beer using a capper, then store the bottles at room temperature for about two weeks to carbonate.

As the brewday continues.

Ingredients

The quality of the ingredients you use can make or break your homebrew. When choosing your ingredients, consider the following:

• Malt: There are several different types of malt available, each with unique flavors and characteristics.

• Hops: Hops provide bitterness, flavor, and aroma to your beer. There are many different types of hops available, each with their own unique flavor profiles.

• Yeast: Yeast plays a crucial role in the brewing process, as it consumes the sugars in the wort and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. Different strains of yeast can produce different flavors and aromas.

Troubleshooting

Homebrewing can be a challenging process, and it’s not uncommon to run into some problems along the way. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

1. Infection: If you notice mold or a sour smell, it’s likely that your beer has become infected. The best solution is to throw it out and start again, being sure to sanitize your equipment thoroughly.
2. Flat Beer: If your beer is flat, it may not have fermented long enough or may not have enough priming sugar. Try adding more priming sugar and waiting another week or so.
3. Overcarbonation: If your beer is overcarbonated, it may have too much priming sugar or too much yeast. Try using less priming sugar and checking your yeast levels before bottling.

Tips and Tricks

Finally, here are some tips and tricks to help you get started with homebrewing:

1. Keep everything clean: One of the most critical aspects of homebrewing is keeping everything sanitized and clean to avoid contamination.
2. Follow the recipe: It’s tempting to experiment with different ingredients, but following the recipe is essential for achieving the desired flavor and texture.
3. Keep track of your progress: Keeping a log of your brewing process can help you improve your skills and avoid making the same mistakes twice.
4. Have fun: Homebrewing is a fun and rewarding hobby, so enjoy the process and experiment with different flavors and techniques.

Conclusion

Homebrewing can be a fun and rewarding hobby for any craft beer enthusiast. With the right equipment, ingredients, and technique, you can create your own delicious brew right at home. Remember to keep everything clean and follow the recipe, and most importantly, have fun experimenting with different flavors and techniques. Cheers to your first homebrew!

Milling Grain

Just to throw back to one of my first homebrews, my (now) ex – wife shot this video with Olivia-Grace (my oldest daughter) running narrator. Its a video of me milling the grain at The Scotzin Brothers homebrew shop in Lemoyne.

Related Homebrew Articles

• Brewing a Traditional Lithuanian Farmhouse Beer – Keptinis by Karl Larson

Thank You For Reading

Hopefully anyone looking at getting into homebrewing or just enjoying homebrewing or wanting to read about homebrewing finds this article interesting or informative. If you have any questions, concerns, comments, suggestions, or anything at all – please leave it in the comments or use our CONTACT US page or e – mail us directly at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Again, thank you all so very much for reading! Please like, share, follow, subscribe, comment, bookmark, etc. It really helps us out here.

Cheers All!

-B. Kline

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

We have partnered with an affiliateship with Beer Drop.com. You can check out that partnership and receive great discounts, coupons, and more here: Beer Drop. Going here and logging in and ordering will help you receive your discounts and coupons as well as help support our page. Thank you for helping to support The Beer Thrillers and to help us maintain the site and blog and to keep it running.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

You can also check out our partnership and affiliation with Pretzels.com, where ordering pretzels and using our affiliate code – AFFILIATE CODE IS THEBEERTHRILLERS20 – will help you get wonderful pretzels and help us maintain and keep this blog running. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Quick note from Ben (B. Kline) of The Beer Thrillers. Paul R. Kan reached out to me a few weeks ago asking to write this book review for the blog. He is a co – owner of Burd’s Nest Brewing Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. We were thrilled to have him reach out to us and chose the blog to write his article. We are looking forward to having him write more articles in the future here at The Beer Thrillers. I will give a quick shout out to Burd’s Nest Brewing, and post their links, and then will follow his book review, followed by a small bio he has written about himself, and then the normal wrap – up we do here on the blog.

Burd’s Nest Brewing Company

Burd’s Nest Brewing Company is a micro brewery based out of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On Untappd they are listed as having 91 beers with a global average rating of 3.46 (as of 9.23.22). Their Untappd description is currently blank. Their social media links are:

• Burd’s Nest Brewing Company on Facebook
• Burd’s Nest Brewing Company on Twitter
• Burd’s Nest Brewing Company on Instagram
• Burd’s Nest Brewing Company on Untappd
• Burd’s Nest Brewing Company’s Official Website

I would like to thank Paul R. Kan for reaching out to us, and writing the following book review.

Book Review: Beer and Society: How We Make Beer and Beer Makes Us – By – Eli Revelle Yano Wilson and Asa B. Stone

Think for a moment. Where did you drink your last beer? What kind of beer was it and were you with anyone else? The answers to these simple questions lie at the heart of the new book, Beer and Society: How We Make Beer and Beer Makes Us. Whether you were drinking the newest IPA release at a craft brewery with some friends; having a Bud Light alone at home while watching a game or doing something totally different says a lot about you and the way you look at beer.

Exploring how beer gives people more than a buzz but a sense of identity as well are the book’s authors- two sociology professors at University of New Mexico who are also certified Cicerones. Their credentials as both academics and beer experts make the authors well-positioned to write this book. And like tasting a new beer, this book has many nuances and subtleties that some people will appreciate while others may not.

The authors explain how beer is more than a drink; it’s also a social identity. “Whether we intend it or not, our choice of beer signals to others about what kind of person we are and what else we stand for.” (p.5). If your last beer was a hazy IPA at your favorite craft brewery with a group of friends, then you may be communicating to others that you support local businesses, value quality beer and can afford to go out for beer. However, the person who prefers to drink Bud Light alone while watching the game may view you as a bougie elitist.

Social identity is more than just an academic way to say that we use beer to judge ourselves and others. Social identity has concrete meaning for those of us who are in the craft beer business. As an owner of Burd’s Nest Brewing Company in Carlisle, PA, I want to appeal to the social identity of as many people as possible. Yes, we’ll always have one of our IPAs on tap, but we’ll also have cans of Yuengling Lager in our beer fridge. In our area, not everyone likes beer with a bolder taste, nor can they afford the price. It’s more than economics. Because of our taproom’s large, open and light space, many people use our brewery to express their social identity through live music, art shows, yoga classes, history talks, and college seminars. Many people in our community are introduced to our beers through these events. Our social identity has become “serving beer to serve the community.”

When the authors begin to define “community” as part of social identity in chapter 3, “The Social Organization of Beer” the book becomes more controversial. The authors’ discussion of the larger economic and social forces surrounding beer production and consumption may strike the reader as a product of today’s political debates. The chapter raises questions like, “Why do we see disparities of race and gender and, more implicitly, class among those employed in the U.S. beer industry? Put simply, why is the craft beer dominated by ‘bearded White dudes?’” (p.60) It is true; 92% of breweries are owned by men; only 2% are solely owned by women; and only 1% of breweries are owned by African Americans. The authors spend a lot of time on the gap in BIPOC and LGTBQ+ representation in the brewing industry, but the authors acknowledge that it is shrinking.

As a brewery owner who’s a clean-shaven-only-half-Caucasian-dude, I wrestled with this chapter. I know that I don’t look like most craft brewery owners. But that’s never been a personal or professional issue for me. Perhaps it’s because I grew up in the multi-ethnic state of Hawai’i. However, another part of the authors’ research does reflect what I see—“no brewer or brewery owner we know or have talked to for this book thinks that denying someone a job based on their race and gender identity or appearance is okay.” (p.63). I have not felt the sting of discrimination in the industry and the ownership of my brewery is dedicated to providing a welcoming workplace (and taproom) for all.

Where craft breweries have felt a sting is from the business practices of multinational corporate breweries. Part of the social identity of any craft brewery is its independence. In chapter 4, “The Business of Beer,” the authors cover how “Big Beer” (like AB-ImBev and SABMiller) responded to the market threats from the exploding number of craft breweries by buying out some of them, purchasing ingredient suppliers and securing exclusive long-term contracts with malting facilities. This has challenged the ability of smaller craft breweries to maintain their independence, or just stay in business. Big Beer used these tactics before COVID, rising inflation and supply chain constraints; today the pressures on craft brewers are even more acute. Small breweries like mine can pass along only so much of the costs to our customers before the price of each pint is out of reach.

Departing from the heavy topics in previous parts of the book, chapter 6 “Beer Cultures” was the most fun. The authors examine how people in various countries enjoy beer differently, especially in the ways people toast. In Japan, it is considered rude to make eye contact when toasting. Meanwhile, many French, Spanish and Germans believe that not making eye contact while toasting is a bad omen and results in seven years of bad sex. (No offense against the Japanese, but I’m not going to take any chances when I make my next toast).

All in all, the book is a well-written journey through the terrain of what beer means to people and how people give meaning to beer. Ironically, the book’s prominent discussion of diversity, equity and inclusion topics makes it a product of beer and society. Ten years ago, a book like this would have had trouble finding a publisher, but interest in these topics has become prominent and craft beer is now much more a part of consumer demand. Beer and society will continue to shape each other. Let’s toast (while making eye contact, please) to the positive evolution of both.

Paul R. Kan Bio

Again, thank you Paul for reaching out to us to have your book review posted here. Here is the small bio he sent with his book review:

Paul R. Kan is co-owner of Burd’s Nest Brewing Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.  He is also the author of Hawai’i Beer:  A History of Brewing in Paradise which was a 2021 North American Guild of Beer Writers’ award winner and the #1 new release on Amazon’s Books on Beer.

Some Other Book Reviews

If you are looking for other book reviews here on The Beer Thrillers, here are some more we’ve covered:

• Book Review: For The Love of Beer (Dr. Alison E. Feeney)
• Book Review: Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)
• Book Review: An Atlas of Tolkien (David Day)
• Book Review: The Lay of Aotrou and Itroun (J.R.R. Tolkien)
• Book Review: The Wit and Wisdom of Tyrion Lannister (George R.R. Martin)
• Book Review: 9-11 (Noam Chomsky)
• Book Review: The World According to Mister Rogers (Fred Rogers)
• Book Review: Fail Fail Again Fail Better (Pema Chödrön)
• Book Review: Curb Your Enthusiasm and Philosophy (Edited by Mark Ralkowski)
• Book Review: Buddhism 101 (Arnie Kozak)
• Book Review: Plotted – A Literary Atlas (Andrew DeGraff)
• Book Review: The Philosophy of Snoopy (Charles M. Schulz)
• Book Review: Guardians of the Whills (Greg Rucka)
• Book Review: Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk (David Sedaris)
• Book Review: On Bullshit (Harry G. Frankfurt)
• Book Review: Free Will (Sam Harris)
• Book Review: Free Will Explained (Dan Barker)
• Book Review: Heart and Brain – An Awkward Yeti Collection (Nick Seluk)
• Book Review: The Art of Stillness – Adventures in Going Nowhere (Pico Iyer)
• Book Review: What More Philosophers Think (Edited by Julian Baggini and Jeremy Stangroom)
• Book Review: The Physics of Baseball (Robert K. Adair)
• Book Review: Machiavelli – The Art of Teaching People What to Fear (Patrick Boucheron)
• Book Review: Wit’s End (James Geary)
• And you can find even more book reviews here: Book Reviews Archive.

Thanks For Reading

Thank you everyone for reading, and thank you Paul R. Kan for the great book review. Hope you all enjoyed it and enjoyed your time here at the blog. Be sure to check out Burd’s Nest Brewing Company in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; and be sure to like and follow The Beer Thrillers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc; and do the same for Burd’s Nest Brewing Company. Be sure to follow and subscribe here to the blog to get alerts as soon as our posts are uploaded.

Cheers!

-Paul R. Kan

-B. Kline

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

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The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

William Penn’s brewhouse

History often repeats itself, and nowhere is this more evident than in the history of beer. Pennsylvania’s love affair with brewing dates back to the colonial era, with small breweries flourishing across the state. One of the earliest examples is the Anthony Morris Brewery, founded in 1686 in Philadelphia. This establishment was among the original breweries of colonial America, setting the stage for a thriving beer culture in the region.

Fast forward to 1827, when German immigrant John Yost founded his John Yost Brewery in Womelsdorf, PA. Meanwhile, in Altoona, PA, the beer scene was bustling, with dozens of small breweries serving the local community. Some of these early breweries have stood the test of time, such as the family-owned Straub Brewery, established in 1872 in St. Marys, PA, and of course, Yuengling—America’s oldest brewery—founded in 1829 in Pottsville, PA.

The Impact of Prohibition: A Struggling Beer Industry

Yuengling Brewery located in Pottsville, PA

The beer industry faced a significant setback with the onset of Prohibition in 1920. By the time Prohibition ended in 1933, the beer scene had been decimated. The industry made a slow comeback, and by 1950, only 407 breweries were operating in the entire United States—a stark contrast to the vibrant scene of previous decades. The era of small, family-owned, and neighborhood breweries producing distinct, local beers seemed to be over, as big beer companies began to dominate the market.

Pabst Brewing Company managed to survive Prohibition by diversifying into cheese production and re-entered the beer industry after the ban was lifted. Miller Lite, introduced nationally in 1975, is another example of a brand that has continued to dominate the beer scene.

Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, was a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States. It was driven by the temperance movement, which argued that alcohol was the root cause of many societal issues, including crime, poverty, and family breakdowns. The movement gained significant political momentum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, culminating in the passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919, which legally enforced the prohibition of alcohol. The Volstead Act, passed shortly after, provided the legal framework for enforcing Prohibition, defining what constituted an “intoxicating liquor” and setting the penalties for violating the law.

Despite its intentions, Prohibition had several unintended consequences. Rather than eliminating alcohol consumption, it drove it underground, leading to the rise of illegal speakeasies and a booming black market for alcohol. Organized crime syndicates, most notably led by figures like Al Capone, capitalized on this demand by establishing extensive bootlegging operations. The enforcement of Prohibition laws proved difficult and costly, with widespread corruption among law enforcement and government officials. By the early 1930s, public sentiment had turned against Prohibition, and it was widely viewed as a failed experiment. This shift in opinion eventually led to the passage of the 21st Amendment in 1933, which repealed Prohibition and marked the end of this tumultuous chapter in American history.

The Craft Beer Renaissance: The Return of the Small Breweries

Perot Malting

So, when did the small, independent breweries make their comeback in Pennsylvania? The turning point can be traced back to the early 1970s, right before the introduction of Miller Lite. In 1972, a game-changing event occurred: the release of Cascade hops from a government breeding program. The floral and slightly bitter notes of this hop variety revolutionized the beer industry, setting the stage for the craft beer movement.

The true resurgence of small-scale brewing, however, began in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter lifted the ban on homebrewing, a prohibition-era relic. This decision reignited the idea that small-town, locally produced beer was not only possible but desirable. The formula was simple yet powerful: creative flavoring combined with small, local beer production equaled a craft beer explosion.

Dock Street Brewing Co.: Honoring the Past, Shaping the Future

A full 307 years after William Frampton opened his brewery on Philadelphia’s Dock Street Creek, the legacy of Pennsylvania’s brewing history was honored with the founding of Dock Street Brewing Co. Rosemarie Certo and Jeffrey Ware established this pioneering brewery, one of the first post-Prohibition craft breweries in the country and Philadelphia’s first all-grain brewpub.

Yards Brewing Company: A Legacy of Innovation

Yards Brewing early on

In 1994, Tom Kehoe and Jon Bovi followed in the footsteps of these early pioneers. Inspired by their homebrewing experiments in the 1980s and a passion for unique beer flavors, they opened Yards Brewing Company in Philadelphia. Their success marked another significant milestone in the state’s brewing history.

The Modern Craft Beer Boom in Pennsylvania

Today, Pennsylvania is home to over 300 craft breweries, each contributing to the state’s rich brewing heritage. What started out as small, local, and personal has come full circle, but this time with even more flavor and creativity. The repetition of history has brought about a new era where beer is once again local, distinct, and deeply personal.

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

Thanks again for reading everyone. Take some time to check out the site, we greatly appreciate it. We have affiliates and sponsors with Pretzels.com and Beer Drop.com, which can save you money on their products if you are interested. Check out our articles on them. Make sure to check out our beer reviews, brewery reviews, Amy’s weekly column, book reviews, hike reviews, and so much more.

As always, thank you everyone for reading! Leave your likes, comments, suggestions, questions, etc, in the comments section. Or use the Feedback – Contact Us – page, and we’ll get right back to you! You can also reach out to us at our direct e-mail address: thebeerthrillers@gmail.com

Thank you for visiting our blog. Please make sure to follow, bookmark, subscribe, and make sure to comment and leave feedback and like the blog posts you read. It will help us to better tailor the blog to you, the readers, likes and make this a better blog for everyone.

We are working on a massive project here at The Beer Thrillers. We are creating a map of all of the breweries across the United States. State by state we are adding maps of all of the different states with every brewery in each state. (We will eventually get to the US Territories, as well as the Canadian Provinces, and possibly more countries; as well as doing some fun maps like a map of all the breweries we’ve been to, and other fun maps.) You can find the brewery maps here:

• MAPS OF BREWERIES

We are also working on a project of creating printable and downloadable PDFs and resources to be able to check and keep track of all of the breweries you’ve been to. So stay tuned for that project once we are finished with the Brewery Maps of the US States.

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

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You can now find us on our Discord Server here: The Beer Thrillers (Discord Server). We’ve also joined LinkTree to keep track of all of our social media pages, as well as hot new articles we’ve written.

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

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The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

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(Thank you for reading. The opinions, thoughts, and expressions of each article posted on The Beer Thrillers represents the author of the content and only themselves. It does not express the opinions, beliefs, or ideas held by The Beer Thrillers or any company in which the author themselves work for. Each piece of written content is written by the creator(s) listed in the authorial section on each article unless otherwise noted. Their opinions, comments, and words on screen do not represent any company in which they work for and / or are affiliated with or any non – profits that they contribute to. Thank you.)