About Neil

I started out like every other brewer trying to get into the hobby, reading, attempting, drinking, sometimes failing but mainly enjoying myself.

Over time I developed my skills and became more knowledgeable up until the point where knocking up a batch of beer at home is second nature.

I developed my skills enough, in fact, to become a professional brewer. I now get to brew for a wider audience than I ever imagined and it all started from making up batches on the kitchen stove.

Entries by Neil

Blueberry Mead Recipe – Making A Blueberry Melomel

If you’re a fan of fruit meads and have already tried something like my blackberry melomel, then blueberry mead is worth trying, the recipes are really similar and the flavours are great..  Blueberries, with their rich colour, natural sweetness, and acidity, make for an exceptional blueberry mead that captures the essence of fruit and honey […]

The Effect Of Mash Temperature On Beer

All grain brewing means controlling more variables, involving the mash, when you come to making your own beer. The effect of mash temperature on beer is one of these variables that will determine the flavour profile of the finished beer.  Mash temperature is often stated as controlling the body of the beer but there is […]

Black IPA Recipe – Brewing A Classic Black IPA

One beer that seems to wax and wane in popularity is the Black IPA. Getting the balance of colour, flavour and hop aroma is a fine art and I think this black IPA recipe gets that balance right. A few key ingredients are necessary but try this recipe and you’ll be able to make your […]

Step Mash – A Guide To Multi-Rest Mashing

Step mashing or multi-rest mashing is a method of all-grain brewing where the mash is taken up through multiple steps from lower temperatures to higher temperatures. What is the purpose of step mashing and when is it suitable to perform a step mash? In this article, we will cover these points and learn how to […]

Lemon Wine Recipe – Fresh & Fragrant

Lemon wine brings to mind a drink that is refreshing and perfect to sip on a warm evening.  The trouble with making such a drink is that lemons are, of course, really acidic and require a lot of dilution to bring about a fermentable and palatable must.  Lemons are 5 times more acidic than oranges […]

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Ale vs. Lager – What Is The Difference?

The difference between ale and lager is primarily due to the type of yeast used for fermentation. When first approaching brewing as a complete beginner it is difficult to categorise exactly what we want to make. When we say beer though there are really two types; ale and lager.  The primary difference between ale and […]

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Clearing a Hazy Or Cloudy Wine

It can definitely be frustrating to spend time making wine, waiting months for it to ferment and condition only for it to be hazy or cloudy. A slight haze in wine isn’t a major problem but it can be annoying. Certain wines may be more prone to having a haze or cloudiness so what can […]