The good thing about a beer brewing machine is that it is basically a plug and go situation. When you buy the machine, it comes complete with all the ingredients and detailed instructions. You go through the steps and make one good batch of beer. Also a beer brewing machine is sold to make one and only one batch of beer and then, in theory, you are supposed to throw it away.
Filed under beer by Greg Holmes
The type of glass you use to drink wine can make a real difference; large wine glasses can really make a cheap bottle of wine taste like an expensive bottle. It is important to make sure the glass is right before you try and anything else and this is the most important element.
When choosing a glass try using larger and rounder goblet glass that has a wide rim for the best results. It adds a psychological element by making it seem like an occasion, something special is happening while drinking the wine. This style of glass also allows more of the flavour and aroma to be released due to the wide rim as well as allowing the flavours to burst into your mouth as soon as you drink it.
The tips I would advice to get the most out of your wine is to make sure you decant it, warm the wine glass you use and eat salty snacks before you drink.
Doing such a simple thing as using decanters can make a serious difference to the taste. Remember to decant the bottle of wine two hours before you want to drink it, this is important and also make sure it remains at room temperature.
A warm glass may not sound much but does make a real difference. Remember to always have your wine glasses at room temperature. If your glassware is cold you can warm it up by running it under a warm tap for a minute.
You may not think it but salty snacks can make a difference to the flavour of your wine. If you’re not serving wine before the meal salty snacks and picks are great before meal snacks and mouth cleanser before the wine.
You should try and incorporate these tips whenever you serve wine and they are not high resource ideas so can done easily.
Filed under Wine-Spirts by JamesJay
Micro home brewing is not just enjoyable, it can be rewarding as well. Folks even make a great living off micro home brewing, so it is certainly something that everybody should try out once or more.
To start with micro home brewing, the very first thing that should be done is clean everything that’s likely to want to be used. Next everything should be rinsed to make sure that all the sanitizer is gone, as any remaining sanitizer may kill off the yeast and this will result in flat and poor tasting beer.
The cooking process is one of the first in micro home brewing. First two gallons of cold water should be added to the pot and brought to a boil, and then once the water has been brought to a boil, the malt syrup should be added. The mixture should be stirred well until the extract has been dissolved and it is important to remember that the pot needs to be watched so that it does not boil over, as boiling over can create a mess and lose precious ingredients.
This is another of the most important steps in the micro home brewing process. Once the wort has finished boiling the mixture should get left to cool down, and once this is finished, there remains the process of siphoning, bottling, and pouring the brew. Bear in mind that with micro brewing there are a lot of different methods that may be employed, and for folks brewing their own lagers, and everybody should use the particular methodology that they like.
For anyone who is trying out micro home brewing but experiencing difficulties, know that there are many microbreweries out there that can be visited for more information. In common sense a microbrewery is a small craft brewery that seeks the support of informed beer consumers. In the US a microbrewery is a brewery making less than 1,000,000 hectoliters each year, and in Canada a microbrewery is understood to be a brewery manufacturing three hundred thousand hectoliters of lager.
Brewing one’s own lager can be a fantastically delightful task and definitely one that everybody should try out once or more. There are such a lot of great rewards that may be offered by it, and best of all it is neither dear nor troublesome. There also are many brewing professionals out there that may be used to assemble additional information if required.
Filed under Wine-Spirts by JamesJay
There are several word that you will be introduced to when brewing beer. Some of them are probably things that you have heard before such as pH, Ale, and Lager. This article will give a more in depth description of these terms as well as give you a variety of new homebrewing vocabulary that you may not have heard yet.
Filed under Beer News, beer, home brewing by jamesjohn
Hosting a wine tasting party is a good way to host to grab attention of your friends. The ideal party will give you an excellent chance to provide outstanding entertainment for your guests who will be able to get rid of whatever stress they are feeling while at the same time also get a chance to taste delightful wines and discuss what’s real and what is not in different wines.
Take Some Tips In A Wine Tasting Party
It is not all that difficult to host an ideal wine tasting party and you only need to take some tips on doing so. The first such tip is of course that you need to first find out what the best party setting is that in turn will ensure ideal atmosphere at your party. At the very least, you have to ensure doing your best to create a more relaxed as well as laid back wine tasting party. Less noise and proper lighting helps your guests to enjoy your offerings in the best possible manner.
You will only be able to hold the ideal wine tasting party if you are able to invite the right kind of guests who in any case should not exceed between fifteen and twenty in number. Next, you have to have all the required items of supplies to ensure that your wine tasting party passes off smoothly and seamlessly. The right kind of wine glasses should be on hand and you will also need a good supply of napkins and in addition you must also have something that will help to cleanse out the palate so that between tasting of wines you can remove the taste of the previous wine.
A wine tasting party will only be a success if you can keep the flow going on without interruption and this means serving wines at a proper pace, especially taking into account any slowdown in conversation which is the right time to switch from one wine to serving another.
Last but not least, successful wine tasting party is only one that is wound down in the proper manner. Taking care of taxi services is but a small example of what you need to do to ensure that your guests have a great time from first moments to the final minutes of the party.
To the uninitiated, learning about wines is very akin to learning about taking a trip to the moon. Once you have taken the first small steps in learning about things like wines and wine tasting events you are then going to have to keep on taking those steps for the rest of your lives. There is so much to learn!
Filed under Wine-Spirts by JamesJay
Not many people realize that there are different types of beer glasses. However, even less people know that there are many types of beer glasses that are geared for German-style beer!
More on Let Me Explain The Number of Styles of German Beer Glasses
Filed under Beer News, beer, beer dispensers by jamesjohn
A compact wine refrigerator is the ideal way to store your wine collection in prime condition, whether you are an avid collector or just like to have a few bottles on hand to share with guests. The capacity of a wine refrigerator can range from six bottles up to 800 bottles; a compact wine refrigerator can fit under a cabinet or stand against a wall. Dual zone wine fridges can be used to store different wine types at different temperatures for drinking now or for longer-term storage and aging.
For the many people who do not have the space to build a mini wine cellar, a compact wine refrigerator can provide an ideal solution. A compact under-counter wine refrigerator will store wines at the ideal wine temperature and it should also be remembered that even those wines that are best served at room temperature should be stored in a cool environment prior to opening to protect the integrity of the wine.
One of the advantages of a dual zone compact wine refrigerator lies is its ability to store different types of wines at different temperatures within the same wine cooler unit. The recommended storage temperature for white wines is between 46 and 54 degrees Farenheit and for red wines it is 54 to 64 degrees Farenheit. As well as offering best practice temperature control, a wine refrigerator also maintains the correct humidity for wine storage.
All wine lovers understand that they must look after their wines and treat them with respect; this includes avoiding any vibration of the bottles, to protect the wine. Look for a good quality wine refrigerator that will be vibration free and one that may use internal LED lighting to further protect the wine.
Even low wattage bulbs can increase the temperature in an enclosed space like a compact wine refrigerator. Wines should ideally be stored in darkness, so the use of LED lights that do not emit any appreciable heat will assist in creating a better environment. Regardless of the type of lights you have, you should only open the wine refrigerator when necessary.
Most compact wine refrigerators have metal racks on which the bottles can lie tilted slightly towards the opening end to ensure the corks remain in contact with the wine. Depending on the space available for a wine refrigerator – from compact under-counter units that can hold up to a dozen bottles to larger furniture-style units with a capacity to store many hundreds of bottles – a wine refrigerator can protect your wine collection from the temperature, humidity and vibration hazards that can alter taste, hasten aging and reduce the appeal of your wine.
At his wine blog – ChrisOnWine – Chris Miley occasionally mentions wine refrigerators amongst many other wine topics.
Filed under Wine-Spirts by JamesJay
German Beer Glasses: German beers tend to get their own special type of drinking glass, and the beer glasses are configured to enhance the taste of the beer. Hefeweizen, Kristallweizen and Dunkles are served in glasses that are tall and elegant, with a narrow base broadening toward the top before tapering slightly again. There is often a spiralling effect ascending from the bottom of the glass.
More on Here’s Why German Beers Get Their Own Special Drinking Glass
Filed under Beer News, Wine-Spirts, beer, beer dispensers by jamesjohn
The article says you can make beer in the coffee maker, Has anyone every tried this? You can actually brew your own beer version if you have a coffee maker at home. I bet you haven’t considered that before. Has anyone tried this?
Filed under Wine-Spirts, beer dispensers, beer recipe by jamesjohn
People wonder if they should have a beer keg at home. Here are some of the reasons you should have a beer keg at home. If you do not drink beer, you need not need to read this.
Filed under Wine-Spirts, beer, beer dispensers, home brewing storage by jamesjohn
There’s nothing better than a crisp, cold beer at the end of a long day. But if you’ve just got them from the store, they’re going to be lukewarm by the time you get them home. Dilemma. How do you avoid that? By investing in a beer chiller of course! There are few things in life that come as a bigger disappointment than a warm beer. We have all experienced this, at a party perhaps or a summer barbeque, and it happens time and time again!
Filed under beer, beer dispensers by jamesjohn
By hosting a wine tasting you’ll be able to develop your knowledge of different wines and wine growing regions. Tasting wine involves the sensory evaluation of wine, and includes noticing the color and aroma, and the taste and feel of the wine on the palate with the aim of determining the quality of the wine and its suitability for drinking now or potential for aging. As you explore the characteristics of the wine on your sensory journey you will uncover its many different facets and detect any flaws the wine might have. Remember that a wine tasting party is supposed to be fun.
In order to accurately assess the quality of a wine you need to gauge the overall complexity of its flavors and aromas. Concentrate on factors such as intensity, fruitiness, sweetness or acidity as well as noting how long the taste of the wine remains on the palate after tasting which determines the length of the finish.
If you haven’t already tried it you’ll find wine tasting to be a fun and enjoyable experience to share. You can hold your wine tasting at home or the home of a friend, or a group of friends can attend an event at one of the many companies that offer wine tastings. If you have your own basement wine cellar, then holding a wine tasting event is a great way to entertain fellow wine lovers.
If you’re not comfortable choosing the wines yourself for the tasting there are companies that offer to organize the event plus the wine for you. If you’d prefer to taste the wines from just one wine region you can arrange a tasting at a vineyard. An well organized wine tasting event will be both enjoyable and educational.
Learning how to taste wine will add a new level to your existing wine knowledge, give you an opportunity to taste a range of wines from different wine growing regions and you could even decide to build a wine cellar in a closet.
Filed under Wine-Spirts by JamesJay
Mashing is the process of soaking the grains in the water at a particular temperature, which is dictated by the type of beer you are brewing. Lautering, as it is often called, may be followed by the running of more hot water over the grains. Simply run the hot water through the grain bed so as to make sure that you extract all of the sugar that is hidden within the grains. Once the malt sugar has been included, bring the water back to a boil. Simply aim to boil the water for about 80 minutes or so. Having done so, reduce the temperature of the water to approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Filed under beer, home brewing by Greg Holmes
The production process of beer can be called “brewing” and requires several stages of processing. In the beginning of the process barley or other cereals, after they have been selected and cleaned, are placed in the tanks of maceration, where they receive water and oxygen needed for germination.
Filed under Wine-Spirts, home brewing by jamesjohn
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A 12 ounce tapered glass that is tall and slender. Pilsner glasses are good for showing a beer’s color, carbonation level, and for head retention. Designed to be used with “pilsner” beers. These are tall, with a shape that evenly tapers from a wider mouth to a narrower base with no curves. The shape of the Pilsner glass provides a stage for the light, gold color of the traditional pilsner beer while the wide mouth allows formation of a foamy head to keep in the flavor and aroma of the hops.
Filed under Beer News, Wine-Spirts, beer, beer dispensers, home brewing beer recipes by jamesjohn
Unique Beer Gift Baskets
The gift basket started out as a typically flowery presentation of candy, chocolate, fruit cakes and other tacky old fashioned gifts. But it’s since become an entirely new animal.
There are gift baskets suitable for the young and childish, the old and mellow, the young and spirited, and even there are even manly gift baskets. We’re talking about gift baskets packed with sushi kits, imported Italian food, gourmet grilling sauces and marinades, wine, cheesecakes, coffee, pizza, gourmet popcorns, and even beer and super bowl arrangements!
Filed under beer by jamesjohn
Vintage beer clocks can be round, square and have different logos and colors. If the bar has a special theme, you will definitely find the right clock to fit. Your decorations should fit well with the type of beer glasses, mirrors and other paraphernalia to adorn your basement bar. Do you want to instantly add vibrancy to your bar without spending a fortune? If so, then you should invest in neon wall clocks. These highly stylish wall clocks are designed to liven up any room or home bar. You can put the clocks just about anywhere.
Filed under Beer News, Wine-Spirts, beer by jamesjohn
I would break down brewing beer into 9 steps. Doing these steps takes a total of about 3 to 5 weeks and the finished product is a delicious beer that you can take pride in. Although it may seem hard, the brewing process is actually quite simple after you have done it a couple times. It is a lot like cooking but with precise instructions; waiting too long on one step could be the determining factor on whether or not your beer will succeed. Bottling is an essential part of the brewing process. After bottling your beer needs to sit for at least of week to finish reacting with the yeast and create carbonation. The most used bottling is done with capped glass bottles, but there are other options. Each option has its own benefits. Understanding these benefits will help you choose the type of bottling that is best for you.
Filed under home brewing, home brewing storage by jamesjohn
No patch of ground in the world claims as proud a drinking tradition as the Emerald Isle. The Irish have pubs down to an art, along with a complete mastery of the science of brewing and distilling the tastiest beverages on the planet. If you don’t believe in Leprechauns, you probably haven’t sampled enough Eyre ales and spirits or, if you have, you have not done so in a real Irish pub. Irish bars are ideal places to enjoy your favorite drinks, and laze away the hours with friends. Today, Irish bars have become one of the popular freak-out destinations among people of all age groups in America. Almost all cities in America have at least a few Irish bars. Most of the Irish bars are theme type bars, and come adjoined with hotels, restaurants, and inns.
Prior to brewing your beer it is important to keep all your brewing equipment sanitized. You need to ensure that you sanitize anything and everything that may come into contact with your beer. Why is this important you may ask? Millions of little microbes just love to make meals out of your freshly brewed beer. These microbes are everywhere, your house, your body even the air you breathe. Bacteria and fungi are essential a form of microbes that you need to be aware of.
Filed under beer by jamesjohn
Benjamin Franklin once famously said that beer is proof that God exists, and he wants us to be happy. There is some doubt that he actually said this, and some people believe that, if he did make the statement, his tongue was lodged firmly in his cheek. But regardless of who said it or how they meant it, there is a certain truth in the statement. Beer is a strange and wonderful elixir, and it can be an intimidating one for those who have little to no experience with it.
Have you ever come across the book “Drinking with George: A Barstool Professional’s Guide to Beer?” If you are a fan of George Wendt, you are indeed in luck as George Wendt himself discusses tips on lagers, stouts and ale. Read on as we discuss how to start shopping for the perfect swivel barstools just like the set of the tavern style bar of Cheers.
Filed under beer dispensers, home brewing, home brewing supplies by jamesjohn
Beer Brewing With Fresh Hops
When you cook or bake you want everything to come out tasting just right. Having the right ingredients isn’t enough; the ingredients need to be fresh. The same is true for making beer. It’s important to use the correct hops for your brew but it’s even more important to use the freshest hops you can. If you are brewing with old or stale hops, you could be making up a really bad batch of beer.
Filed under beer recipe, home brewing beer recipes, home brewing supplies by jamesjohn
