Home Brew Press
Articles
Recipes, equipment guides, and brewing tips — from your first batch to all-grain mastery.
all-grain
7 BIAB Problems That Keep Wrecking Your Efficiency (And How to Fix Each One)
Brew in a bag is supposed to be simple. So why are you hitting 55% efficiency when everyone online claims 75%? Here are the actual problems and their fixes.
September 15, 2026
small batch
1-Gallon Test Batches vs 5-Gallon Brews: Which to Use When
Five gallons of a recipe that did not work is a painful lesson. One gallon of that same mistake is a learning experience that cost you an afternoon and a few dollars in grain.
September 8, 2026
all-grain
Step Mashing Explained: When Single Infusion Isn't Enough
Most of your beers do fine with a single-temperature mash. But for wheat beers, high-adjunct recipes, and traditional European lagers, step mashing unlocks flavors and efficiency that a single rest can't achieve.
August 21, 2026
hops
Hop Pellets vs Whole Cone Hops: Which Should You Actually Use?
Pellets are convenient. Whole cones feel more authentic. But the real differences go deeper than aesthetics — from utilization rates to storage life to how they behave in your fermenter.
August 16, 2026
all-grain
Parti-Gyle Brewing: How to Get Two Beers From One Mash
Parti-gyle is an old English technique where you collect multiple runnings from a single mash to brew two completely different beers on the same day. It sounds fancy but it's surprisingly straightforward.
August 14, 2026
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