Kegerator and Beer Line Checks

Most of the problems that develop with skunky beer out of your kegerator at home can be solved by doing only a few things. If you follow a troubleshooting checklist, you should never have any problems. Of course, it doesn’t solve all of your problems. Just the ones that can be handled easy before real maintenance measures have to be taken…

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History of the Stein

The most interesting aspect that I have found about the Beer Stein is how it originated.

First of all, Beer Steins are often confused with Beer Mugs and other such drinking vessels. But, Beer Steins have hinged lids.  Beer Mugs don’t.

Thus, the origin of the Beer Stein is the hinged lid.  Why is it there?

The Black Death was a bubonic plague that swept through Central Europe back in the 14th century. As a result, Germany enacted laws that addressed public hygiene issues.

One law required that food and drinks at restaurants and pubs needed to be covered to fend off the disease carrying flies that were invading the country. The law further required that the lids be attached to the dish or “mug.”

The lidded Beer Mug, or Stein was invented.

But, that is only part of the story.  Learn more about the Beer Stein…

When Friends Help…With Anything

When you are working with your friends on your home bar, what is your major pet peeve?

I just wrote a funny article. It was about enlisting friends to help you: Home Bar Scam Artists

But, that article was inspired by a home bar project were just completed and a conversation we were having while we were doing it. We never laughed so hard and if you read the article, you’ll soon know why.

But, what are some of your pet peeves when you enlist your friends to help you do anything?

Beer Taps, Table Tops, Beer Pong

Beer Brewing Techniques

Brewing has gone from the German Purity Law to a whole new line of everything included, even milk! That’s right…even milk.

The German Purity Law made a decree that beer was to be made with only water, malt, hops and yeast.  That’s the way beer has been made since, for the most part.

But, brewers of today have started getting creative. Cinnamon, pepper, rosemary and thyme are just a few of the spices brewers like to add for flavor.

Boils have become a science and fermentation can change from brew to brew. There is pizza beer, chile beer and just about anything that you can imagine.  Beer has been mixed with champagne and now there is even a highly intoxicating 25% alcohol beer. You won’t find that at your local liquor store.

Going back to what I said about Bilk, the beer with milk. It’s in Japan and they use milk that farmers would otherwise discard. It has a fruity flavor.

So, you can’t really mess up when it comes to beer. You just have to get in there and start exploring. Find your taste and chase it! That’s what I always say.

Learn more about brewing techniques at The Learning Center!