Skip to content

Bear No Fruit: Making Novel Meads with Store-Bought Juice

  • Speaker: Dr. Arthur Franke
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2022
  • Pittsburgh

Learn how to build a melomel recipe around a specific juice; Discuss how to source and choose juices; Step through a case study illustrating how juice can be used and adapted to a recipe.


Read More

Yeast Nutrition in Non-Malt Fermentations

  • Speaker: Chris Bernardo
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2022
  • Pittsburgh

Gain a solid understanding of the nutrients that yeast need for non-malt fermentations; Learn how to optimize yeast pitch rate and nutrient dose for different ABV targets;


Read More

All About Sulfites (and Sorbate too)

  • Speaker: Tom Repas
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2021
  • Online

This presentation reviews and discusses the chemistry and the use of sulfites, explains how to determine when and how much sulfites to add, dispels some of the common myths surrounding the use of sulfites, identifies best practices for making mead/cider/wine without the use of sulfites, and reviews the use of…

Read More

The Fermentation Kitchen

  • Speaker: Gabe Toth
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2021
  • Online

Beer is just one example in a variety of zymurgy. In this seminar, Gabe Thoth, author of The Fermentation Kitchen, explores different types of fermentation and homemade fermented foods.


Read More

White Koji: A unique ingredient for quick sour beers

  • Speaker: Todd Bellomy
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2021
  • Online

Koji mold is used to make a wide range of fermented products in Asia, including alcoholic beverages like sake. Koji produces amylase enzymes that break down starches in grains to produce fermentable sugars. White koji is a distinct variety that also produces acids; mainly citric acid but small amounts of…

Read More

Finings and Related Additions in Mead

  • Speaker: Tom Repas
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2020
  • Online

Fining agents are most often thought of as being used for clarification, but they have many other purposes in mead. This presentation explores the various options available for fining and clarifying mead, including the bentonite, gelatin, casein, PVPP, chitosan, silicasol/kieselsol, Sparkalloid, and enzymes. We’ll also discuss using additions to address…

Read More

Food Fermentation Concepts for Homebrewers

  • Speaker: Sandor Katz
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2020
  • Online

In addition to brewing beer, fermentation more broadly is an essential aspect of how people everywhere make effective use of food resources. Fermentation can preserve food and make it more digestible, more nutritious, more delicious, and, in some applications, less toxic. Come learn how easy it is to ferment vegetables,…

Read More

Better Bochet

  • Speakers: Brian WolfJohn Wilson
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

The deep copper color, vanilla aroma, and notes of caramel and burnt marshmallow of bochet have long been of interest to us. But, all too often, a bochet passed to us at a club meeting or sampled at Club Night managed to disappoint. The bochets we tasted lacked body, were…

Read More

Brewing Beer-Style Meads

  • Speaker: Sergio Moutela
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

Making beer-style mead involves more than just adding hops. This presentation covers everything that goes into making recipes that truly walk the fine line between these two amazing craft beverages.

Read More

Ferment THAT!

  • Speaker: Lorena Evans & Melinda Spalding
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

Fermented foods have a long history and are currently a hot commodity. This seminar will build on some of the basics of fermentation and types of microbes involved in fermented foods like kimchi, kombucha, vinegar, sausage, sauerkraut, hot sauces, cheese, and many more! In this sequel to Ferment THIS from…

Read More

Kimchi for the Homebrewer

  • Speaker: Miguel Richards & Roxanne Westendorf
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

Learn how to make kimchi at home. It’s easy and delicious! Kimchi can easily be customized to your personal preferences, too. Many of the principles involved with kimchi can also be applied to other fermented foods.


Read More

Kombucha: Ancient History, Current Impact, and Future Potential

  • Speakers: Kim ArthursMatt McCarrollRose Forbes
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

Our panel of experts will explore the history of kombucha from its earliest documented existence to its evolution into a commercially significant product. We will explore the intriguing and complex microbiology that underlies this mixed fermentation and culminates in the physical development of the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast…

Read More

Mastering Cider: Tips for Making Better Cider from Master Cidermakers

  • Speakers: Bret GlennaChris Smith & Nathan WilliamsJeremy OlsenPavel Anisimov
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

Join this panel of experienced home cidermakers to have your burning questions about cider answered. Each panelist will offer in-depth tips on how to improve as a cidermaker. Come with an open mind and an inquisitive palate.

Read More

Mead from 70 to 1750 CE: Inspirations and Lessons from 2,000 Recipes on Ingredients, Methods, and Styles

  • Speaker: Laura Angotti
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

Using a proprietary catalog of more than 2,000 recipes drawn from primary sources, this presentation gives an overview of ingredients, methods, and styles for historical meads from before 1750. The focus is on overall trends in meads and interesting outliers covering styles, strength, ingredients (from almost 300 identified herbs, spices,…

Read More

Mead Magic: Tips from Master Meadmakers

  • Speakers: Adam CrockettJason PhelpsSteve FlettySteve Piatz & Carvin Wilson
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2019
  • Providence, RI

So, you want to make great mead, but you’re running into issues or need advice? Look no further! The master meadmakers are here to help. We’ll serve some mead and answer your questions to get your mead to the next level.

Read More

Beasts and Bugs: Using the Science of Kombucha in Brewing Beer

  • Speaker: James Czar
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2018
  • Portland, OR

At the center of kombucha brewing is an evolved symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Learn how the microbiology and chemistry of kombucha connects to beer brewing methods of the past and how understanding it can help you brew better beer. We’ll also cover basic kombucha brewing (so you…

Read More

Ferment THIS!

  • Speaker: Lorena Evans
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2018
  • Portland, OR

As brewers and meadmakers, we have many of the tools and techniques (like sanitizing) to ferment other foods and drinks. Naturally pickled foods, hot sauce, cheese, sauerkraut, kimchi, vinegar, kombucha, wine, and sourdough bread are all fermented products. We will discuss how to ferment these foods and drinks while avoiding…

Read More

Mastering Mead: Pro Tips on Making Better Mead

  • Speakers: Eric LoweMark TannerSteve FlettySusan Ruud
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2018
  • Portland, OR

Join this panel of experienced professional and home meadmakers to have your burning questions about mead answered. Each panelist will offer in-depth tips on how to improve as a meadmaker. Come with an open mind and an inquisitive palate.

Read More

Bochet Mead: The Art and Science of Caramelizing Honey

  • Speaker: Matthew Weide
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2017
  • Minneapolis, MN

Bochet has a long, if misunderstood history, but it’s becoming increasingly popular. Caramelizing honey lets meadmakers turn honey into wonderful “burnt mead.” This presentation covers mead basics and history, BJCP categorization, caramelizing methods, common mistakes, recipes, and tips for making your own. Bochets will be served with a Q&A to…

Read More

Exploring Fruit Ciders

  • Speaker: Chris Smith
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2017
  • Minneapolis, MN

This seminar offers an overview of the procedures and processes of adding additional fruit to hard cider. Topics include base cider selection, fruit pairing and preparation, yeast selection, nutrients, aeration, and more. From acidity and tannins to stabilizing and back sweetening, you’ll gain a comprehensive overview of what it takes…

Read More

From Harebrained Idea to Mead Medal Winner

  • Speaker: Scot Schaar
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2017
  • Minneapolis, MN

There are multitudes of great recipe ideas out there if only you know where to look. A night out for dinner or a trip down the grocery store aisle could be the inspiration for your next award-winning mead. Learn where to find these ideas and how to bring them to…

Read More

Ice Cider

  • Speaker: Jeremy Olsen
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2017
  • Minneapolis, MN

Ice cider is a delicious but uncommon cider style. This seminar reviews the history and origins of ice cider and discusses tips and techniques for making it at home. Learn about apple juice selection, the freezing process, fermentation, and post-fermentation adjustments to make your own ice cider.

Read More

Mastering Mead

  • Speakers: Curt StockMatthew WeideSteve FlettySteve PiatzThomas Eibner
  • Track: Alternative Fermentation
  • Homebrew Con 2017
  • Minneapolis, MN

Minnesota is home to seven of the last 12 AHA Meadmakers of the Year: Curt Stock (2005), Steve Fletty (2007 and 2016), Steve Piatz (2008), Thomas Eibner (2009 and 2012), and Matthew Weide (2014). Join a panel discussion with these award-winning meadmakers and learn about their signature meads. Meads from…

Read More