How to Source Ingredients for Homebrewing

Good morning. This week, we received the news that a legend will be leaving his post. John Blichmann, the president and founder of Blichmann Engineering, retired effective February 1st. For over two decades John led Blichmann Engineering to be a pioneer and innovator in both the home and commercial brewing spaces.

Happy Chinese New Year and Super Bowl Sunday. Drink every time you hear the name “Taylor Swift”.

-Brandon Copeland

How to Source Ingredients for Homebrewing

Unless you already knew a homebrewer when you started brewing, it's likely that the first beer you brewed was from a kit. Sometimes beginner homebrewing equipment kits will come equipped with a recipe kit. This is a great way to start because you don't have to stress about trying to source the correct ingredients. I tried to do this the first time I brewed, and I forgot the yeast - safe to say the outcome was less than desirable.

Once you stray away from the kits, it's natural to gravitate to a homebrew supply shop to start building out your recipes. This is a great place to be - not only are you supporting small business, you're likely joining their homebrew club and building a community.

I love fulfilling my recipes at a local homebrew shop because I can weigh out my grain, sometimes even weigh out my hops, and have exactly what I need for said recipe, and only get charged for what I buy. However, depending on the size of the homebrew store, their stock may be limited. They may only have one or two brands of grain and hops to choose from. What they offer is undeniably reliable options that you will find in pretty much any homebrew store, but what if you are trying to branch out from this?

For instance, for those of you who live in the United States, 60% of hops produced in the US come from Washington, and the majority of that comes from the Yakima Valley. One of the best hops suppliers from that region is Yakima Valley Hops (aptly named) which serve homebrew and commercial clients. By ordering from them, you are essentially skipping the middle man, which means you get a higher quality, fresher product. The quality of my beer jumped immensely once I started ordering from them.

The same can be said for yeast - you can get great results from dry yeast packets you get at any homebrew supply store. However, if you're looking to really elevate the quality of your beer, look into brands like liquid yeast brands like Omega Yeast. This will cost you significantly more than dry yeast, but the results can take a good beer to a great beer. Sometimes even if homebrew supply stores (online or in person) have liquid yeast, it's much fresher buying directly from the supplier.

Beer Trivia Question

🍺 What was the first country to have a beer museum?

Read to the end to find out if you're right!

Deal of the Week

Buy One Get One 50% Off On Irish, Scottish, and English Beer Kits At Adventures in Homebrewing

If you’re tired of searching for a new recipe, take the guesswork out and order two recipe kits from Adventures in Homebrewing and get 50% off the second kit. Sometimes it’s nice to use these as a base if they are on sale, and then you can adjust it to make it your own with whatever ingredients you have laying around at home.

Brewgr Recipe of the Week

All Day Pilsner

Sometimes the simplest styles are the most rewarding to brew. This Czech Pilsner aims for simplicity in the grain bill and a little more flair with the hops. People you share this beer with will be even more impressed that you have imitated one of their favorite pilsners than if you nailed a Russian Imperial Stout.

Credit: Callumwood-HomeBrew

Poll Results: Have You Ever Made Wine?

This survey was a mixed bag - some who wrote in loved their experience making wine at home, and others said the quality was lacking. Those that enjoyed it highly recommended Fine Wine and VineCo kits.

Personally, I would like to make wine at home, but it’s hard to take full ownership of the wine from a kit since you are essentially just fermenting it. Brewing beer even from extract requires much more of your heart and soul, and you can be proud of your creation when you share it with others because you have much more control over the outcome.

And the Answer Is...

🍺 In 2014 the Czech Republic opened The Beer Museum, the first of it’s kind in the world. They offer 90 minute tours that takes you through the history of beer, and includes a tasting at the end.

The shocking part is that I have not sought this museum out on the 2 separate visits I have made to Prague… guess I have to go back and maybe the 3rd time will be the charm!