Ben's Beer Blog

I don’t see too many examples of cream ales in the craft beer scene. Maybe it stands in stark flavor contrast to strong sours, IPAs, and stouts. Maybe it lacks the estery, spicy notes of an equally light Belgian golden ale. Maybe it’s the similarity to American macro lagers, with...

Oh the weather outside is frightful… When it gets cold and snowy a strong, flavorful beer is a great way to warm the spirit. A winter warmer is just that: a malty, spiced sweater in a glass. Harpoon Winter Warmer was my introduction to the style, a stepping stone on...

You don’t see too many examples of the mild ale in craft breweries today. In fact, I don’t believe I’ve ever had a commercial mild ale before! Some folks in my local homebrew club have shared their mild ales, so I decided to try it myself. This recipe is adapted...

Interested in homebrewing but worried about the cost? Though you can certainly spend a lot on modern “complete” brewing system such as the Grainfather, you can absolutely brew at home with a simple stovetop setup. I began with an all-in-one kit and the pot I already had in my kitchen,...

Belgian witbiers were early favorites of mine as I was getting into beer. Blue Moon, of course, plus the original Hoegaarden and craft favorites Ommegang Witte and Allagash White. The flavors of the belgian yeast, orange peel, and coriander set it apart from other styles of beer while maintaining the...