basic brewing

We're invited to a group brew celebrating Teach a Friend to Homebrew Day, and we're treated to a tour of a cool homebrew system by Mark Smith, the event's host.

Andy, Brian and James spend some time chatting with Adam Avery of Avery Brewing. Adam talks about making the move from home brewer to brewery owner, dry hopping and making big beers at home.

Andy Sparks and James Spencer join Brian Warren and John Holder in Denver to taste the last round of samples in the Hot Side Aeration experiment. We also get feedback about the experiment from John Palmer.

Steve spends a day in the kitchen using five homebrews as ingredients in a traditional holiday meal. James and Steve pair the wonderful dishes with an oyster stout and a spiced ale.

Rick Sellers from Pacific Brew News Radio reports on a California brewing competition for women only. Also, Chris Colby from BYO explains high-end RIMS and HERMS brewing systems.

We travel to Fort Collins, Colorado to speak with Eric Salazar and Peter Bouckaert of New Belgium Brewing.

Homebrewing guru Charlie Papazian shows us around his home brewery. Then, we sit down to sip a couple of homebrews and chat about homebrewing and beer in general.

Thanks to a demonstration hosted by the Brewers Association, we see what happens behind the scenes in the judging of the Great American Beer Festival competition.

We cover two homebrewing competitions in connection with the Great American Beer Festival: the GABF Pro Am and the Long Shot competition from the Boston Beer Company.

We travel to Denver to sample the goodness of the 25th Great American Beer Festival. Almost 400 brewers, more than 1600 beers, and three happy podcasters.

We join homebrew guru Charlie Papazian near a beautiful stream at his house to share his homebrew and his thoughts about the hobby.

Randy Mosher, author of Radical Brewing, talks to us about fruit beers and getting the most out of them. Randy also gives us his favorite approach to pumpkin beers.

Ben Watson, author of Cider, Hard and Sweet: History, Traditions, and Making Your Own, introduces us to the world of homemade ciders. Also, Chris Colby of Brew Your Own magazine lets us in on his method of partial mashing using an unmodified two-gallon drink cooler.

It's a sweet episode. James and Steve check in on the mead experiment. Steve also talks about brewing beer with honey, and the guys sample a couple of examples.

Andy Sparks and Steve Wilkes join James to taste the results of homebrewer Michael Tonsmeire's single-hop small batch experiment.

James and Steve sample a Harvest Ale made from Cascade hops grown in James' yard, and the guys talk about brewing with fresh hops right off the bine.

Homebrewer Raj Apte lets us in on the long-lost process of brewing with the Ginger Beer plant. This way of brewing soft drinks at home was commonplace decades ago.

Bob Hansen, technical services manager of Briess Malt and Ingredients Company, shares thoughts on his presentation from NHC on making big beers.

Chris Colby of Brew Your Own magazine joins us to share his favorite strategies for getting the best beer out of a split-boil extract brewing session.

The last interview from Orlando: James talks to Matt Brynildson of Firestone Walker Brewing and John Mallet of Bell's Brewery about first wort hopping and dry hopping.

Beer's not just for breakfast anymore. Following Randy Mosher's advice, James and Steve pair up four beers with the sweet stuff, and Steve shows us his take on a New Orleans favorite.

More interviews from the National Homebrewers Conference: Homebrewer Raj Apte on his "one-dollar homebrew barrel" and author John Palmer on wort fermentability.

NHC coverage continues as James and Steve interview professional brewers and other professionals connected wtih the brewing industry.

Steve Wilkes joins James as they play interviews with six homebrewers recorded at the National Homebrewers Conference in Orlando. Great tips and useful information.

Home brewers take center stage in Orlando at the National Homebrewers Conference Club Night. Follow James and Steve as they sample great homebrews and meet the folks who brewed them.