hop

An Interview with Al from Hop Talk

by Brad Smith on April 19, 2010 · 2 comments

This week on the BeerSmith Blog we feature an interview with fellow beer blogger Al from Hop Talk. Hop Talk is one of the more popular beer blogs on the internet. Hop Talk covers microbrews, the brewing industry and beer news. While Al occasionally touches on home brewing as well, the focus is often on […]

Using a Hop Back for Homebrewed Beer

by Brad Smith on November 25, 2009 · 20 comments

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The “hop back” is used by many micro and commercial brewers to add hoppy flavor and aroma to any beer. Homebrewers can also take advantage of this technique with simple equipment to add additional aroma to home brewed beer.

Best Hop Techniques for Homebrewing

by Brad Smith on November 11, 2008 · 20 comments

This week we take a look at the best hop techniques for homebrew beer – our hop technique roundup. A good understanding of various hop techniques is critical for successful brewing. Yet the wide array of hopping techniques with terms such as mash hopping, first wort hops, dry hops, boil hops, and late hop additions […]

Ten hop-saving tips for surviving the ongoing hop crisis. With brewing hops in short supply, everyone is looking for ways to use less hops. This week’s article includes a collection of home brewing tips to conserve and preserve your precious hops supply and save you money in the process.

Brewing Hops Storage: Preserving Precious Hops

by Brad Smith on April 15, 2008 · 16 comments

Today we’re going to look at the best way to store and preserve your beer brewing hops and also some of the effects of hop aging. With hop prices pushing $5 US per ounce and the hops crisis likely to get worse before it gets better, caring for your precious hops supply is more important than ever…

With the ongoing hop crisis, brewers are turning to growing hops for beer in the garden. Learn how to grow your own hops at home from rhizomes to create your own perennial hop supply. Part 1 of our 5 part series on the hop crisis.

The First Wort Hop: Beer Brewing Techniques

by Brad Smith on March 17, 2008 · 48 comments

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Brewing beer with first wort hops (FWH) is a method I have used extensively for beer brewing over the last few years to improve the character of many recipes. First wort hopping produces complex bitterness and aroma that is both smooth and pleasing to the pallet…