In this episode, we hit up some more discussion of basics with our first Yeast-o-Rama segment, where we discuss the characteristics of several different yeasts. The yeasts include American, English, Belgian, and German strains. Then we continue our Belgian style coverage with BJCP category 24A, Belgian Witbier. Blue Moon wants to claim to be one, but if you want to try the real deal, look into our Whitetail Wit kit or pick up a six pack of Celis. You’ll get the refreshing character you’re supposed to get.

In this episode, Stubby is back from his two week trip to Belgium and Germany full of beer adventures and attending the largest beverage related conference in the world, Drinktec. He went with Fritz and Wil Rahr and they spent the bulk of their trip hitting up well established breweries and cities that were the sources of some of the world’s favorite styles. So, he tells us about what they were up to and how the Drinktec conference was and then we dive into a discussion of some of those styles based on the beers he brought back from Europe for sampling (thanks Stubby!). But we especially wanted to discuss the Dusseldorf Altbier style as he visited the city with sampling the real thing in mind while he was there. It doesn’t sit in a category of its own anymore--which is unfortunate--but it does still stand apart from its Northern German counterpart that could also qualify as an amber ale.

In this episode, we revisit high gravity brewing techniques while also discussing the best brewing methods for the Belgian Dark Strong style. Plus, we were lucky to have Shawn Kidwell of Cowtown Brewing Co available to come in with an example of their Dark Strong. We definitely cover the range of needs for bigger beers and the best ways to approach the BDS itself and we have plenty of samples. Plus, Pete was back in the house for the first time in a few months and we broke him a little (beware the last few minutes).