Photo by Stephanie Staton To brew a flavorful beer, use specialty yeasts suited to the type of beer you’re making. |
If brewing beer is more than just a passing fad on your list of hobbies, consider upping the ante on your product with these flavor-boosting tricks and tools. While they cost a little more than the standard brewing ingredients and materials, Tony Aiken, former president of Brewers of Central Kentucky, considers them invaluable additions to the brew master’s toolbox.
- Use a wort chiller instead of bagged ice for cooling. It’s faster with less risk of contamination when used correctly.
- Process the entire batch in a full-sized, 10-gallon kettle. You can convert an old keg or order specialty kettles with burner stands for processing full batches of beer.
- Use specialty yeasts suited to the type of beer (ale, lager or stout) being brewed.
- Filter your water prior to boiling to reduce the risk of contamination and up the flavor quality.
- Don’t order liquid yeasts when the outside temperature is 85 degrees F or higher, and only purchase yeast from retailers who store it in refrigerated areas.
