Home Brew Press
Articles
Recipes, equipment guides, and brewing tips — from your first batch to all-grain mastery.
refractometer
How to Use a Refractometer for Homebrewing (And Why Your Readings Need Correction)
A refractometer is fast, uses almost no sample, and looks cool. But if you do not understand the correction math, it will lie to your face about your gravity. Here is how to use one properly.
July 24, 2026
sparging
Fly Sparging vs. Batch Sparging: Which Method Gets You Better Beer?
The sparging debate has been going on for decades and both sides have strong opinions. Here is what the numbers and the flavor actually tell you — minus the dogma.
July 19, 2026
decoction mash
Decoction Mashing at Home: Is the Extra Effort Actually Worth It?
You have heard old-school brewers swear by decoction mashing. You have also heard modern brewers call it a waste of time. Here is what actually happens when you pull a decoction — and whether your beer will notice.
July 10, 2026
recipe design
Why Every Homebrewer Needs a Brew Log (and How to Keep One)
The difference between a good brewer and a great one? Notes. Here's how to keep a brew log that actually helps you replicate your best batches and troubleshoot the duds.
May 5, 2026
all-grain
Irish Red Ale Recipe: A Smooth, Malty Classic You Can Brew This Weekend
Irish red ales are the comfort food of beer: malty, smooth, and dangerously easy to drink. Here's a proven all-grain recipe plus tips for nailing that gorgeous ruby color.
May 3, 2026
water
Setting Up a Water Filter for Homebrewing: What You Actually Need
Your tap water probably contains chlorine or chloramine that creates off-flavors in beer. Here's how to filter it — from a $10 carbon filter to a full RO system — and what actually matters for your brew.
April 17, 2026
biab
Brew in a Bag (BIAB): The All-Grain Method That Skips the Expensive Gear
BIAB lets you brew all-grain beer with one pot, one bag, and zero extra equipment. It's how I transitioned from extract to all-grain in a single afternoon — and never looked back.
April 14, 2026
equipment
Electric Brewing Systems: Is It Time to Ditch Propane?
Electric brewing has evolved from DIY contraptions to polished all-in-one systems. Here's an honest look at the costs, benefits, and whether switching from propane makes sense for your setup.
April 5, 2026
extract brewing
1-Gallon Brewing: The Case for Small Batch Homebrewing
Small batch brewing lets you experiment faster, waste less, and learn more per year than 5-gallon batches. Here's how to set up a 1-gallon system and why it might be the smartest way to brew.
March 27, 2026
brew day
10 Ways to Cut Your Brew Day in Half (Without Cutting Corners)
A typical all-grain brew day takes 5-6 hours. Mine takes about 3. Here are the process optimizations, time hacks, and workflow changes that halved my brew day without sacrificing beer quality.
March 16, 2026