Science, Made Tasty.

Beer Geek Wednesday

Beer Geek Wednesday is our Head Brewer Mark Howes’ weekly excursion into the science, history and occasional absurdity behind beer. From hops, malt and fermentation to flavour perception, brewing chemistry and whatever obscure technical rabbit hole he’s disappeared down this week, no subject is too nerdy and no detail too insignificant.

Some weeks it’s practical. Some weeks it’s historical. Some weeks you’ll learn considerably more about yeast metabolism than you ever intended.
Pinene in Beer: The Terpene Behind Piney Hop Aroma

Pinene in Beer: The Terpene Behind Piney Hop Aroma

Explore pinene, the potent woody and herbal terpene that gives many classic and modern hop varieties their distinctive pine character.
Terpenes in Beer: An Introduction to Hop Aroma

Terpenes in Beer: An Introduction to Hop Aroma

Learn what terpenes are, how plants use them and why these volatile compounds are responsible for many of the aromas brewers seek from hops.
Why Milkshake IPA Can Separate in the Can

Why Milkshake IPA Can Separate in the Can

Explore why fruit, lactose and proteins can form sediment in Milkshake IPA, what went wrong in our Lime Milkshake DIPA and what brewers can learn from it.
How to Run a Hop Sensory Session

How to Run a Hop Sensory Session

Learn how brewers compare hop varieties and products using a controlled sensory base, helping isolate aroma, flavour, bitterness and mouthfeel.
Milkshake IPA: Balancing Lactose, Fruit and Hops

Milkshake IPA: Balancing Lactose, Fruit and Hops

Discover what defines Milkshake IPA and how brewers balance lactose sweetness, intense hops, fruit acidity and spices in this modern beer style.
Dextrins and Brettanomyces in Barrel-Aged Sour Beer

Dextrins and Brettanomyces in Barrel-Aged Sour Beer

Explore how under-modified malt provides complex dextrins for Brettanomyces, supporting slow fermentation and layered flavour in barrel-aged sour beer.
Cold IPA: What It Is and How It Differs from IPL

Cold IPA: What It Is and How It Differs from IPL

Discover Cold IPA, a dry, hop-forward style fermented cool with lager yeast, and how it differs from India Pale Lager and West Coast IPA.
Pellicles in Beer: Infection, Biofilms and Mixed Fermentation

Pellicles in Beer: Infection, Biofilms and Mixed Fermentation

Learn what a pellicle is, why Brettanomyces and bacteria form biofilms on beer and what its appearance can-and cannot-tell a brewer.
Boil-Off and Evaporation in Brewing

Boil-Off and Evaporation in Brewing

Explore why brewers boil wort, how evaporation removes unwanted DMS and other volatiles, and how boil-off affects gravity, colour and flavour.