Jovial Monk

Brew Better Beer at Home

Step Mashing, Unveiling the Artistry in Brewing

Step Mashing

Ah, the dance of step mashing – a nuanced technique that unveils the full spectrum of flavors and characteristics hidden within the grains. Let us embark on a journey into the world of step mashing, exploring its essence, the reasons for its embrace, and the enchanting rests that define this brewing dance. 🍺 Step Mashing … Read more

Beer Fermentation, the Home Brew Process

Beer Fermentation Process

Ah, the sacred dance of beer fermentation – a pivotal phase in the alchemical transformation of humble ingredients into the nectar of the gods. Let the Jovial Monk guide thee through the steps, the signs of completion, and the post-fermentation rituals. 🍺 The Fermentation Waltz: A Delicate Tempo The Ballet of Fermentation: Unveiling the Phases … Read more

Make Your Ultimate Home Brewery

Building Ultimate Home Brewery

Ah, noble brewmaster, prepare thyself for the grand adventure of building thy own ultimate home brewery! As we embark on this merry journey, we shall unveil the essential equipment needed, outline the sacred space to be dedicated to brewing mirth, and provide thee with an indispensable equipment checklist. 🍺 The Hallowed Space: Designing Your Brewery … Read more

How to Bottle Your Homebrew Beer

Bottling Beer Guide

You can either bottle or keg your beer, of the two bottling is the easiest and cheapest option. This is your Jovial Monk guide to bottling your beer! So, noble brewer, the time has come to crown thy hard work with the sweet fruit of your labour – the bottling of your cherished homebrewed ale. … Read more

In the Beginning there was Beer

History of Beer

How was beer invented? We don’t really know. Making beer is much more complex than making wine. Firstly, after the barley has been harvested, threshed, winnowed etc etc it is still not in a state from which beer can be made! The barley must be malted, i.e. the grains must be wetted and allowed to … Read more

Beer Brewing with Bulk Extract

Brewing with Extract

Brewing with beer concentrates is the most expensive way to brew. Full mash is actually the cheapest way, but using bulk extract is a halfway house: mash tuns and the knowledge of how to mash are not needed. We do need a decent kettle, the bigger the better, 20L at least. If you intend to … Read more

Brewing with a Series 2 Pack

Adding Hops to the Vat

The Series 2 brew improver Packs contain dried extract, some may contain a small amount of sugar, all have hop packs kept separately in our fridge and some Packs have a pack of crushed specialty grains. The preponderance of malt, the fresh hops and the specialty grains combine with your brewing to produce the tastiest … Read more

Brewing with Jovial Monk Series 1 Packs

Brewing Beer from Packs

Malt v sugar in beer A can of beer concentrate by itself will create a beer of about 2% alcohol. Something therefor needs to be added to it to create a beer with more body and alcohol. Many people add a kilo of sugar, table sugar or dextrose, but while this does add alcohol it … Read more

Don’t Panic – Beer is very forgiving

Beer Brewing Tips

Many of us have at times started to panic a bit. Don’t panic—beer is very forgiving. Learn to relax—more beer is spoiled by first time brewers continually mucking aound with the beer than by accidental infection or other causes. The common causes of panic I pitched my yeast 3 days ago and the airlock still isn’t bubbling! … Read more