The Brewing Network Presents | Dr. Homebrew

Belgian Dark Strong beers have a very complex flavor, with not a very complex grain bill. Which is why they tend to be a hard style to get right for us homebrewers. Today we tackle this Belgian beast, and then wash it down with maybe it's polar opposite ... American Blonde Ale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Belgian-style beers are always hard to replicate. Every facet of your process has to be correct - from fermentation temps to your grain bill. While that's true of most every style of beer, for some reason Belgian beers seem to be extra needy in order to get that right mix. We judge a Belgian Triple on this show, and we get into some common off-flavors with Brian. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the cancelation of HomebrewCon this year, hundreds of homebrewers had beers stranded at their first round collection points across the country. Our friends at Club Doze decided to do what they volunteered to do - judge away! We chat with two Dozers, Pavel and Robbie, and learn a bit about how they managed to judge all the beers in their location, and not only hand out scoresheets, but actually hold a virtual award ceremony afterwards. Then we chat with Brandon, who sent in a very cool-smelling Imperial Stout that was aged in a spiced rum barrel. Good stuff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are making magic on Dr. Homebrew today, folks. Somehow, we manage to turn a Kolsch into something called a "British Golden Ale", which is a style that nobody on the show tonight has had before. But it sounds good, and that's all that matters. We also cover a Cranberry Catharina Sour, which is a style we have pretty much only had on this show. So it's a weird one this time, but we got through it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International Pale Lager sounds made-up. Apparently Heineken is in this category, as well as Red Stripe. So maybe it's more of a catch-all, but it holds some solid beers. Much like this homebrewed version we drink today. After, Brian Schar gives us some good tips on how to study for that BCJP exam from the safety of your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're happy to convene the Council of Brian's today, as Brian Mills returns to talk about his homebrewed Munich Helles. Then after the break, Travis Hammond joins us to talk about how to safely prepare and take the BJCP exam during this pandemic. Travis is our former area rep for the BJCP, so we get some great insight into how things are adjusting over at the BJCP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Council of Brians returns! Homebrewer Brian joins Brian and Brian (and JP) to get feedback on his Schwarzbier, and then we talk with Mark about his Saison. Both beers were good, and if you are looking for a nice homebrew recipe for either style, this is a good show to start with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again, we wade into the homebrew ocean to pull two beers out and judge them. On today's show, we have a Marzen and a Barleywine. Well, it's not just any barleywine - it's a whiskey barrel-aged barleywine! We talk to these two homebrewers, get their recipes, and talk a little technique. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the show, we rip through a Scottish Wee Heavy and a Catharina Sour. Wee Heavies are great, and we love to see them come through. They can be complex or simple (or both?), and are usually great. Catharina Sours are still sort of being dialed in, as they are pretty new, but we love to seem them as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The boys from Dr. Homebrew are back, and an appropriate distance apart as we judge two homebrewed beers tonight! First up is a Belgian Blonde Ale, and then a Kolsch. Both are hard beers to master, so we were very excited to jump into these. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since we have two master-level BJCP judges on staff, we thought it would be a great time to review those score sheets we keep filling out. They are equal parts clear and confusing, and there is definitely a correct way to go through them. Mainly, with as much information as possible. But what KIND of information? Well, we talk about that and more, on today's show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it rains, it pours, folks. Not only do we have one Vienna Lager on today's show, but we have TWO! Normally having the same style on both segments of the show is annoying, but for a great style like Vienna Lager, we were able to set aside our usual expectations and take a deep dive into one of our favorite beer styles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talk about two styles not many people brew any longer ... Amber Ale and Pumpkin Spice beer. Both are good when done well, and both have varying levels of complexities. Today on the show, we break down each beer and try to help the brewers better perfect their respective styles. Good stuff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Baltic Porter is a great style that is also hard to master. On today's show, the boys get sent a homebrew example of this fine style, which is always fun. We also get to run through another style that is equally hard to manage but good at the same time - Altbier! If you want to learn something about these two styles, this is the show for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A pretty classic show today. We run through a German Pilsner and an American Strong Ale, which was a clone of Arrogant Bastard. How'd they do? Find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

American Stout? Sure, that's a thing. Coffee Milkshake IPA? That we weren't so sure about. Dan sent us that one, and we definitely had some things to say about it, and most weren't bad, if you can believe that. It is very much a style that has potential. If you can believe that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our very own Brian Cooper is subjected to the Dr. Homebrew treatment today, as we judge his Grapefruit Blonde Ale. We also tackle a commercial calibration beer from Guinness - a Milk Stout. This was brewed at their Baltimore brewery, and was a nice surprise to find on the shelf out here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the long history of beer styles we've never had on the show, Rye Brown Ale has to be at the top of that list. Today on Dr. Homebrew, we tackle this odd style with a very nice homebrewed version, We also review an American IPA, because it wouldn't be a beer show without one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another fancy show, as we crack open a homebrew that was canned ... at home! Very exciting stuff. We also declare it's time for another Commercial Calibration segment, as Brian grabs a Weihenstephaner Festbier from the fridge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kolsch is probably the greatest beer style there is, and you can't tell us otherwise because we said "probably". Today on the show, we judge a homebrewed Kolsch that was packaged using one of those fancy seamers designed for homebrewers, so that was cool. Then we break down a Catharina Sour beer, a style we don't get enough of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue our coverage of Bell's clones with ... two more! Today we jump into another homebrewed batch of Bell's Two Hearted IPA, and then something new - Bell's Official. It's a hazy beer, something that was flowing pretty freely at HomebrewCon, apparently. Will either beer be cloned? How do they stack up as examples of their styes? Find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's show, we line up not only two homebrews, but a guest judge as well! Warren sits in for Brian Schar today, and he doesn't do too bad. After Jason tells a boring story about worms, we dive into the homebrews - a Vienna Lager and a Belgian Dark Strong ale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keeping with the theme of random beer styles, we judge a Kentucky Common on the show today - pretty cool! Then keeping with yet another theme, we judge a homebrewed version of Bell's famous Two Hearted Ale. The best part is we had a commercial version next to it in order to truly get a proper comparison. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Normally when we hear "Barleywine" we think of big, chewy beers with a large hop charge and an even larger alcohol presence. However, the English version of the Barleywine is not that at all, and one that we don't see all too often, but are pleased to judge today, Then, an American Pale Ale makes an appearance on the judging table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We had traveling Mike on the show to discuss his Dark Mild homebrew that he sent in. Of course Jason was very excited for this one. Then it was Commercial Calibration time! Brian Cooper really wanted to run through a Saison, and there are no better commercial examples of that style than Saison Dupont. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though the style of "Irish Extra Stout" doesn't ring any bells, we had one to judge tonight. More Sheaf Stout than Guinness, it's an interesting style that we don't see much of. We also had another Cream Ale lined up for us, something we always welcome! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Dr. Homebrew, we are joined by George Bailey if Sensafe, makers of the iDip Water Testing Kit for brewers. George tells us about their latest test kit, the eXact iDip Professional Test Kit, which has en entire suite of capabilities that were previously not available to homebrewers or small scale professional brewers. Now you can test more than 40 water parameters and send all the information directly to your smart phone! Later in the show we are joined by three different homebrewers who share their creations with the doctors. Chris Nash brings in his IPA, Eric Meyer shared his American Pale Ale with ginger, and Steve Hiller presents a Twitbier (a.k.a. English Hefeweizen). All of their beers are part of a fantasy draft project (with beer instead of sports) created by the Miami Area Society of Homebrewers. Tune in and learn all about the creative and fun ways their club created a unique competition for their members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Dr. Homebrew, we record live from HomebrewCon in Providence, RI, and are joined by the legendary John Mallett from Bell's Brewery. John talks to us about the world famous Two Hearted Ale, and helps to announce a new collaboration project between Bell's General Store and Dr. Homebrew, where we enlist fans of the show to brew Bell's clone kits and have them evaluated on the shows. We are also joined by Jeff, from the Mad Zymurgists Homebrew Club, who shared with us his spruce tips Porter. Tune in and find out how the doctor's rated his experimental beer! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's Dr. Homebrew, we are sent in two beers we love very much: American Pale Ale and Kolsch. Well, the Pale Ale is more along the lines of a session IPA, but we forgave Andy for that transgression, and this beer is currently in the second round of the National Homebrew Competition for 2019, so listen up and cheer Andy on this year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been awhile since we've had a commercial beer to taste alongside it's clone, but that's exactly what we have here today with an attempt at Bell's Two Hearted IPA. Homebrewer Branden was kind enough to send us a few cans of this elusive beer (at least on the West Coast) for us to judge right next to his clone attempt. Then we had a Leffe Blonde clone from Jason. How did they do? Find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite the commercial label in the photo, there's a homebrew in that reused Moose Drool bottle - we swear! On today's show, we had a California Common sent to us, and a Doppelbock that was in-studio. See how these beers did, and how they can improve, on Dr. Homebrew! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonight on Dr. Homebrew, we have a clone of the world-famous Pivo Pils from Firestone-Walker, and a classic American Pale Ale. Branden, who sent in the Pivo clone, was kind enough to send us two versions, actually - one was dry hopped and one was standard, so we had a good time comparing the two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's commercial calibration time again! Today on the show we have not one, but TWO different versions of Guinness Stout! That's right, one is the draught version in the can, and the other is from the bottle, sans widget. But first, we have a Cream Ale from Scott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ginger Hibiscus Saison and a Bourbon Maple Porter are on the table tonight, and we're fairly certain they are both truly unique beers to Dr. Homebrew! However, to do that we'd have to keep track of our past submissions and we have too much golf to play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every day you learn something new. Today, Jason learned there is no "T" in "Schwarzbier", and he's been saying it all wrong this entire time. But we are fairly certain that Chris (who brewed the thing) knew that! We also had Josh on with his Chocolate Rum Milk Stout, which was a very excellent beer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talk about polar opposite beers ... an American Pale Ale and a Christmas Cookie Stout With Coconut. Not typically two beers you'd find on the judging table together, but we are pros, so we carry on! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A French Saison and an English Brown Ale with Chai Spiced - two things we rarely get. Chris's French Saison was hit with a treatment of Clarity-Ferm after fermentation to remove most of the gluten - something we hadn't seen before with such a wheat-based recipe. Avery's English Brown Ale made with Chai Tea spices hit us next, and tasted more like an oatmeal raisin cookie than anything. Good Stuff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

German Hefeweizen and Imperial Stout are on the docket today! Collin's Imperial Stout was left sitting on JP's counter for a year - which is definitely something new for this show. Ian's Hefe was treated normally by JP, so nobody can blame him for anything - which is NOT normal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on Dr. Homebrew, we chat with Walter once again - this time with his take on the Sierra Nevada beer "Resilience IPA". Then a call all the way to Sweden, lagers, and what the homebrewing scene is like over there. It's a great show, so sit back and relax! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Awhile back we were introduced to a beer that Brian has been working on forever, the aptly-named "Kick Your Own Ass" ale. Back then, Keith and Jason judged it and gave Brian some feedback on how to make it a bit more approachable, while still maintaining the spirit of the thing. Well, Brian is back with a brand new version, brewed by the folks at PicoBrew for inclusion into one of their kits! Brian Schar and JP run through this beer again, but first we dive into a homebrewed Foreign Extra Stout from John. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have seen some weird beers come through, but possibly none as weird as tonight's show. Sure, it all starts out innocently enough with a German Pils sent in by Scott, but then things get weird. Gabe is back with another coffee beer, but this time ... it's sour. Yes, a sour coffee beer. Find out if it worked! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the recent BJCP expansion, we suddenly have several new beer styles to play with! It's a good thing we have two Master BJCP judges in the studio to help our learning along, because our friend Vaughan sent over something called a "Catharina Sour" - something we've never had the pleasure of trying before! Then, we hit up a Mint Chocolate Stout from Logan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Helles is probably in the top 5 beer styles of everyone on Dr. Homebrew, so we were very excited to hear that Cody was sending one in for review by our panel of judges. Then we had Gabe and Ryan into the studio for the next beer - a stout brewed with cold brew coffee and cacao nib syrup, which is something we hadn\'t heard of before. Pretty cool stuff! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It\'s always great when we can see some different styles on Dr. Homebrew, and this month continues the trend we are on. Vaughn sent us an International Amber Lager all the way from the East Coast. We haven\'t had to many of these in our long history, so we were looking forward to this one. For our second beer, Bill sent us a Saison that he and his wife brewed together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We love shows like this, folks: two beer styles we never see showed up in the studio this month! Eric sent us a Coconut Imperial Stout, and Wade introduced us to a style called Kviek. Find out how they fared! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We\'re back, and with more beers - two, to be exact! Brian sent us a Marzen, which we are always happy to consume and comment on, and Avery braved the shipping demons and fired us off an NEIPA. Find out what each of these brewers could have done differently - if anything! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

JP is one Dr. down as Brian Cooper is still out sick, but Brian Schar steps up to the plate and does a great job covering. Today we have Max with a Pilsner made with rice, and Walter sent in a Double IPA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode finds the young judge Brian Cooper out sick - but never fear! His dashing co-host Brian Schar steps in, scrubs up, and takes care of homebrew judging business. Two friends sent in some beers, a Belgian Specialty and a Wet Hop IPA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our second show with some of the fine folks taking over for Keith, Brian Schar and Nicole Erny! Mr. Schar brought us a California Common that he made be really didn\'t carbonate all that well, and then we have a hold-out beer from our last show\'s guest, which was a club beer done with Mr. Cooper. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our first show without our good friend Keith, but that\'s ok because we have a few alternate judges that will take turns sitting in: Brian Schar and Nicole Erny! After a brief intro, we jump right into the beers. Ariel sent in a Blueberry Blonde Ale, and local homebrewer Kiel stopped by to have us try his Old Ale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices