homebrewunderground

Finding a steady supplier for dried black currants in the U.S. has been a challenge. Since I made my last post on this topic in September, 2010, the supplier I was using at that time (Good Sense) has stopped carrying them. Lucky for me, though, there is a currant farm in New York that has an online store where you can buy dried black currants in quantity. The company is called CurrantC™ and it is managed by Greg Quinn. I am very happy that the company is offering dried black currants and... Read Full Story

BOULDER, CO – Scientists at the University of Colorado, in Boulder have discovered the ancestor of the lager yeast that first appeared in Europe 600 years ago. Geneticists have wondered what was the origin of lager yeast that first appeared in Germany 600 years ago. They knew it was hybridized from ale yeast – used to brew ale. But lager yeast ferments at lower temperatures than ale, so scientists have always wondered where did that yeast come from. The scientists knew that the yeast they... Read Full Story

I found a great video for making beer at home. It’s really simple and the video shows the step by step process how to do it. The video is produced by beer-wine.com where you can buy beer-making kits online at reasonable prices. Read Full Story

It’s been awhile since I posted the recipe for Black Currant Liqueur (crème de cassis). When I first made the liqueur, dried black currants were readily available. I just happened to get lucky when I put together the recipe for the first time and the liqueur turned out really well. I originally obtained the dried black currants locally from Trader Joe’s (image to right). The dried fruit was of exceptional quality. I was disappointed to find out later that Trader Joe’s decided not to sell... Read Full Story

I just received the latest newsletter from www.beer-wine.com and it says that the worldwide hop crisis is over. More News – According an article in the February/March issue of Southwest Brewing News , The hops shortage has apparently ended with better crops in America this year as well as Germany having a very good crop. Even More News – According to the Oregon Local News , an online article has a headline that starts with, “Glut of hops …” So it looks like things are looking good for... Read Full Story

The Mediterranean Holiday is a sweet, fruity cocktail made with four basic ingredients: vodka, sweet and sour mix, pomegranate juice and homemade Black Currant Liqueur (or Creme de Cassis). You can make your own sweet and sour mix . Use 100% pomegranate juice (natural, unsweetened) for best results. Mediterranean Holiday 2 oz Vodka 1 oz Sweet and Sour Mix 1 oz Pomegranate Juice 1/2 oz Black Currant Liqueur (or Creme de Cassis) Add vodka, sweet and sour mix, pomegranate juice... Read Full Story

Announcement: AHA (American Homebrewers Association) National Homebrew Competition, April 24, 2009 1st Round Southwest & Intl Region, San Diego, CA Contact: Chuck West Phone: (858) 571-2930 Entry Fee: $9 for AHA Members; $14 for non-members Entry Deadline: 04/08/2009 Read Full Story

This is an unusual recipe for a thirst-quenching non-alcoholic drink. It’s sort of like a fizzy non-alcoholic margarita. It is made with fresh squeezed lime juice and fresh squeezed lemon juice and sweetened with Stevia and blue agave syrup. Blue agave syrup is a healthy alternative to sugar because it is natural, it is lower in calories than sugar and has a low glycemic index. Blue Agave Soda Juice from 1 lime Juice from 1/2 lemon 4 Stevia Packets 1/2 oz Blue Agave Syrup... Read Full Story

This is another non-alcoholic drink made with fresh squeezed lime juice and sweetened with blue agave syrup. Blue agave syrup is a healthy alternative to sugar because it is natural, it is lower in calories than sugar and has a low glycemic index. Cranberry juice concentrate is available online from a few sources. It is 4 to 5 times more concentrated as regular fruit juice – depending on the brand. Cranberry-Lime Fizz 1 1/2 oz Cranberry Juice Concentrate Juice from 1 lime 1 oz... Read Full Story

According to the news release at www.FinancialNewsUSA.com on November 11, 2008, the advanced biofuels company, Verenium Corporation, hired Mark Eichenseer – former Anheuser-Busch head brewmaster to “ferment the waste fiber left over from sugarcane processing and turn it into fuel.” This is huge! Mr. Eichenseer is using his brewing knowledge and experience to figure out how to convert biomass waste products into usable fuel. He is putting special enzymes to work in the process... Read Full Story