basic brewing

Sean Paxton, The Homebrew Chef, sits down with James and Steve after his National Homebrewers Conference presentation to talk about the philosophy of beer and food.

Douglas Wawrzynski shares his observations and interviews following the first legal home brewing competition in Utah's history.

Chris Colby, editor of Brew Your Own magazine, sheds some light on the scientific workings and background of our favorite fungus. We also talk about the next phase of the collaborative experiment.

James and Steve mingle among the home brewers at the National Homebrewers Conference Club Night.

James and Steve taste a decoction experiment conducted by members of the Washington Homebrewers Association and get guidance from Michael Ferguson of BJ's.

The troubleshooting panel discussion at the National Homebrewers Conference, featuring Tomme Arthur, Vinnie Cilurzo, Michael Ferguson, John Palmer, and Ken Grossman.

The mead panel discussion at the National Homebrewers Conference, featuring Byron Burch, Charlie Papazian, Curt Stock and Harold Gulbransen.

James and Steve work the crowd at National Homebrewers Conference Pro Night.

In the first of our coverage of the National Homebrewers Conference in Oakland, Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada Brewing gives the keynote address.

James Spencer, Steve Wilkes, and Chris Colby, editor of Brew Your Own magazine, taste James' experiment beer and read the results from brewers around the world.

James and Steve caramelize some sugar in an attempt to make syrup for a Belgian beer.

Home brewer Alex Roberts joins James in the studio to compare brewing applications and Web sites that work on mobile devices.

Chris Colby, editor of Brew Your Own magazine, tells us how his garden grows and gives us tips on corking Belgian beers.

Home brewer Joshua Smith joins us to tell us how to make our own candi syrup for our Belgian beers.

James and Steve bring together the yeasty cousins again for two takes on crusty deliciousness.

Jason Perkins, head brewer of Allagash Brewing in Portland, Maine, talks about his brewery's work in fermenting beer with the native local "critters".

Chris Colby, editor of Brew Your Own magazine, shares tips to make the already-economical process of home brewing even more efficient.

Home brewers Jim Lewellyn and Darren Goad join us to share the results of their American Pale Ale experiment, playing with yeast and dry hopping.

James and Steve create their own specialty grains by roasting Maris Otter pale malt for different lengths of time.

James flies solo at the brewpot to test out the "Brew in a Bag" Australian technique of all grain brewing with a Maris Otter session ale.

Australian home brewers Dan Walker and Geoff Hammond explain the all grain technique of Brew in a Bag, which they advocate as a good way to get into brewing with grain.

James travels to Bastrop, Texas, home of Chris Colby, editor of Brew Your Own magazine. James and Chris introduce an experiment that invites participation from home brewers everywhere.

James travels to Bastrop, Texas, to the home of Chris Colby, editor of Brew Your Own magazine. Chris shows off his barley field and potted hops.

Home Brewer Kai Troester explains how to analyze all grain efficiency going into the brewpot and beforehand in the mash tun.

James divides, transplants, and shares his prized Cascade hops with Steve. Steve takes a turn as director.