Every homebrewer needs resources, and if you’re anything like me, most of those resources are found online. Some of them are obvious (HBT), but some of them are a little harder to find. I’ve compiled a list of things that help me on a regular basis to brew better beer.
General Homebrewing Knowledge/Information
- HomeBrewTalk – Probably the most widely-used homebrew forum around. There are virtually unlimited topics to talk about on this thing, and even a few that are actually helpful–although it may take some digging.
- Basic Brewing Radio – The best podcast I’ve heard regarding homebrewing. James Spencer and friends do a great job balancing entertaining with educational.
- Beer Advocate – While definitely not limited to just homebrewing, there are plenty of homebrewers trolling these threads. It’s a great place to learn about commercial brews and what goes into making them.
- Brewing Network – Pretty solid amount of podcasts, recipes, and other resources here.
- Brewing TV (Northern Brewer) – While outstandingly dorky from time to time, these 30 minute episodes (posted biweekly) are informative, fun, and usually a bit inspiring.
- BJCP’s Competition Schedule – From your small, neighborhood festivals that have a food/homebrew competition to the regional and national homebrew competitions, this is your final stop for all things competitive brewing.
- Brettanomyces Project – Can’t get enough of the funk? Check out this dissertation on Brettanomyces fermentation.
- Jim Liddil’s A Liddil Lambic Lesson: The Cult of the Biohazard Lambic Brewers - Amazingly comprehensive article on just about everything you need to know about drinking, brewing and knowing lambics.
- Raj B Apte’s How to Make Sour Ale: an inquiry – Another great article on brewing lambics and Flanders reds.
Blogs
- The Mad Fermentationist – Michael Tonsmeire’s site is probably my favorite homebrewing blog. It’s not only updated every few days, but it’s also been going strong for several years, so there’s a lot of information regarding sour beers, recipes, general fermenation knowledge, and much, much more.
- Embrace the Funk – A great blog about sour beers that’s updated on a regular basis.
- Brew by Brew – Another great homebrewing blog–and a man who loves his sours. Has some great resources and recipes and updates every few weeks.
- Brew Science – Great blog about the science behind brewing a great beer.
- Russian River Brewing – While not necessarily the most informative for the avid homebrewer, I love their beer and I’ll read anything they post about it here.
Recipe Creation/Tweaking
- Hopville’s Beer Calculus – This is where I built my first few dozen recipes and it’s a great way to hone in recipes from other places as well. While it’s not the be-all-end-all of homebrewing recipe sites, it’s got a lot to offer–and it’s a great waste of time.
- Brewpal – I use this little guy almost every day. It’s an iPhone app an it’s only 99¢–that’s less than 4 gumballs! Whether I’m brewing at the time, or just messing with recipes, this little guy has so many functions and calculators, it’s endless enjoyment (and procrastination).
- Jamil’s Brewing Recipes – If you don’t know who Jamil Zainasheff is yet, you should. After you figure that out, check out this list of his recipes (via the Brewing Network).
- Homebrew Exchange – If you’re in the Portland area, check this place out. It was the first ever LHBS I walked into and these guys and gals have been there for just about all of my homebrew adventures. Always a helping hand here.
Calculators, etc.
- Beer Review Dude’s BIAB Calculator – Because brew-in-a-bag is kind of an in-between (the simplicity of extract brewing with the results of all grain brewing), it can be tough to find answers to questions that extract and AG don’t answer. Thus resources like this one, a resource dedicated to BIAB brewers, are few and far between–and something we BIAB-ers are very grateful for!
- Pint.com’s Alcohol and Attenuation Calculator – Quick and easy. Does what it says.
