Where I Started

Like most homebrewers I have learned from countless others many good and bad techniques. I'd love to help you get started or find some new tricks to add to your craft by curating some good places to start learning. I started with Youtube videos so here is a short list of good creators that made homebrewing fun for me:

  • Homebrew 4 Life - This guy is where I started, my favorite. He has great videos about the best gear for the price and lots of hacks to make tasty beer.
  • Clawhammer Supply - Great for exciting new recipes and quality equipment. I currently use their BIAB system for my homebrew.
  • Genus Brewing (Spokane, WA) - These guys had a very in depth podcast for awhile that would walk through a lot of the details about the chemistry and biochemistry of brewing. Plus they are local-ish and a homebrew shop.
  • The Apartment Brewer - Great for recipes and gear review. Early videos were in a small apartment, so great for the beginner trying to work out the space for a set up!

There are a number of books to read if you are inclined. How to Brew by John Palmer, Brewing Better Beer by Gordon Strong, and Designing Great Beers by Ray Daniels are always great starting points.

Finally, the best place to learn more about homebrewing is at your local homebrew club, Mid-Columbia Zymurgy Association (MCZA). Look us up on socials or www.mcza.org. Meetings every third Thursday at a rotating list of breweries, wineries, and taphouses.

Below will be an updated blog of tips for specific techniques or recipes for different styles. I'll also throw in a few ideas to hopefully inspire you to step outside the box (or kettle).

How To Brew

The Simple Guide to Fruiting Beer
The MCZA (Mid-Columbia Zymurgy Association) quarterly competition is coming up April 16th, and the theme is fruited beverages! Whether you're a seasoned brewer or trying fruit for the first time, here's everything you need to know to make a great entry. The Easy Way to Add Fruit Good news: you don't need fancy equipment or specialty ingredients. Hit up your local grocery store and grab frozen fruit. Seriously, that's it. Why frozen? Freezing breaks down cell walls, which means better flavor extraction. Plus it's picked at peak ripeness and available... Read more...