Jay's Brewing Blog

Before getting too deep into the waters, let’s first discuss what makes a specialty grain, well, special. Any brewer would probably admit that all malts are pretty special, given they are usually beer by the time we finish with them. However, when you want to branch out into certain styles, you need something a little […]

It’s October, so that means cooler weather, changing leaves, kids back in school, and fall/harvest festivals. With festivities comes lots of fun, food, and many different varieties of festive beers. When I think of a fest beer I think of a heavy rich beer with scents of and flavors of spice and holiday cheer. But […]

Alternate Title: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year I’m sure by now you’ve figured out where this is headed. We have entered Autumn and with that comes a new array of beers. I’m sure we all noticed that pumpkin beers no longer seem to be coming out in September and October and are instead […]

All, My name is Harlan Carvey. Jay’s Customer – Guest blogger – and long time brewer. Background: After attending military college in Virginia, and was commissioned into the United States Marine Corps, where I spent 8 years on active duty. During my time in the military and college I didn’t really drink, socially or otherwise. […]

In the world of homebrewing, there are many types of brewers, but most people fall into one of two types. Type 1 – You don’t brew a lot. You don’t think about brewing a lot. You don’t talk about brewing a lot. Type 2 – Brewing brewing. Brewing, brewing brewing brewing… brewing. I fall deeply […]

Like many beer styles, saisons originated out of purpose. Saison, meaning season in French, was originally brewed during the cooler months of the farming season in Wallonia, Belgium. They were often created from ingredients grown on the farm and brewed by many of the same people who worked the fields, looking to keep busy during the […]

Craft brewing has taken this country by storm over the last 10 years.  You don’t have to look far to find a brewery or brewpub close to home, and so many of them make great brews that now it’s hard to narrow the search down.  Each brewery will make the same few styles for the […]

“What’s your favorite type of beer?” “Oh, I love a good Belgian!  Big, robust, a meal in their own.  They are the best beers I have ever had….” How many of us have stepped into a conversation that sounds like this?  Saying that your favorite style is “Belgian” is akin to saying that your favorite […]