-Ethan Johnston- The saying goes that a rising tide lifts all boats, and the rise in craft/artisan beer has certainly had a similar impact on the various beer styles. Styles like Gose and Grätzer, which were bordering on extinction until recent years, are enjoying exponentially more of a market share than they ever have. However, no style has been lifted to the height of India Pale Ale and its various sub-styles. IPA has been the hottest craft beer style on the market since the most recent … [Read more...] about New England IPA Part 1: Clarifying a Murky Style
Search Results for: ferment
All Grain Brewing: Step Mash vs. Single Infusion
-Ryan Blankenship- All great beer begins with the mash. So what actually happens when we’re mashing grain? In a nutshell, the mash is a process in which malted grains are mixed with water at a specific ratio, temperatures, and pH in order to activate the enzymes in the malt and convert the starches in the grain into fermentable sugars. If grain goes unmalted, then the starches bound in the grain are inaccessible to yeast due to the size of the molecule. This can sometimes be desirable, … [Read more...] about All Grain Brewing: Step Mash vs. Single Infusion
Coffee Porters
Hello! My name is Tyler Newman and I’m a beer lover and brewer. While in Seattle, I was privileged to work for some of the best breweries in the United States, but I have since moved to Charlottesville where I am currently loving my “late 20’s retirement.” Here in Charlottesville, at Fifth Season, I have continued to pursue my love of beer and brewing. I feel blessed to be a part of a great work crew and community, which leads me to one of my favorite topics – coffee porter! To start, I … [Read more...] about Coffee Porters
Jun: Kombucha’s Softer Side
-Kristin Weeks- By now, most folks have heard of the popularized health tonic, kombucha, but fewer people are familiar with its less-known relative, Jun. Also known as the “champagne of kombucha” for its lighter, more effervescent profile, Jun (rhymes with fun) provides a nice alternative to those turned off by some of the more undesirable, not to say offensive, notes associated with kombucha. Within the history and lore of Jun lie some obscurities. Stories tell of the sacred elixir … [Read more...] about Jun: Kombucha’s Softer Side
Bitters Then and Now
-Pam Scott- My personal interest in Bitters started a few years ago using them as a cocktail enhancers. I like to drink alcohol, but don’t like to take the time to feel bad the next day, so my hard and fast rule became two cocktails, no more, and they had better be damn good and interesting. Using bitters as a cocktail enhancer started in the 18th century. Since most early spirits were not very refined and frequently unpalatable, it became popular to use bitters to spice up the undrinkable. … [Read more...] about Bitters Then and Now
Brewing with the Mash and Boil
-Ryan Blankenship- I have used several different types of brewing setups throughout my life, starting with the extract kits on the stove and moving my way to all-grain brewing. At one point I had a Sabco system, which is a self-automated system with its own pumps and built-in heaters. I also built my own recirculating system using some old kegs and a chugger pump. We recently started carrying the Mash and Boil Unit, and I wanted to put it to the test. This system is designed to make a … [Read more...] about Brewing with the Mash and Boil
Happy Holidays for Home Brewers! (and the folks who love them)
We’ve got some great gift options for brewers and aspiring brewers, and a gift for the gift-givers as well. Simply complete an order for one of the boss gifts below, and get a $20 Fifth Season gift card! Place your order by December 12th to qualify for the free gift card and ensure adequate time for delivery. Items will be available for pick-up at your local Fifth Season store no later than December 21st. Not only do you get to take care of some shopping ahead of time, you also get a bonus … [Read more...] about Happy Holidays for Home Brewers! (and the folks who love them)
Festive Fall Homebrewing (Without Pumpkin!)
-Kristin Weeks- When it comes to seasonal beers, there’s no time quite like fall. The light, easy-drinking beers typically associated with warm weather, sunshine, and yardwork give way to heavier-bodied, maltier, and more complex styles that pair perfectly with cool nights and campfires. Historically, beer has always been seasonal. Before the days of refrigeration, the brewing season lasted from the onset of fall through early spring (March), where lower temperatures kept beer fermenting with … [Read more...] about Festive Fall Homebrewing (Without Pumpkin!)
The Flavor of Fall Kombucha
-Gabrial House- With fall right around the corner, I like to think about all the amazing flavors it will be bringing with it. I think of fresh apples, brown sugar, pumpkin pie, and savory herbs. The best way to get the most of these wonderful flavors is to incorporate them into your day-to-day life by making some fall flavored kombucha. Not only will this be a refreshing flavorful trip down memory lane, but it will be packed full of probiotics keeping you feeling great! We will go over … [Read more...] about The Flavor of Fall Kombucha
Beyond Grapes: Elderberry Wine
-Kristin Weeks- While grapes are, by far, the most commonly associated fruit with making wine, they certainly aren’t the only option. Here in the Southeast, where the terrain isn’t so ideal for growing grapes, we can instead turn to what is already growing right around us. One such plant that grows easily and in abundance in our region is the American elder (Sambucus canadensis), which bears purplish-black berries that come into season from July to late September, depending on where you … [Read more...] about Beyond Grapes: Elderberry Wine