ProBrewer Expert Topic • Volume 2024, Issue 09
Ingredients in Brewing – Exploring the Unusual and Exotic
This month, ProBrewer takes a detailed look at unusual and exotic ingredients that brewers are using to broaden the horizons of craft beer
supported in part by Abstrax Hops
Editor's Introduction to Ingredients in Brewing – Exploring the Unusual and Exotic
Craft brewers have always been adventurous when it comes to expanding the bounds of traditional brewing styles and techniques. This month, ProBrewer takes a detailed look at the latest non-traditional ingredients that brewers are using to broaden the spectrum of beer styles and flavors.
From new concentrated hop oils to brewing with sake yeast, botanicals and yuzu, brewers of all sizes are experimenting with exotic ingredients. As consumer buying habits change and more beer drinkers seek new and different flavors, adding creative ingredients and styles to your portfolio may be advantageous.
Not long ago craft brewers were urging other brewers to stay in the traditional beer lane. But as the scope of the beer industry has evolved, so has the desire of brewers to try new and unusual ingredients, just as the early craft brewers did with beer styles. In this month’s Expert Topic we have articles on Uncommon Adjuncts, Brewing with Regional Ingredients, Using Fruit Puree instead of a Fruit Extract and a whole library of articles on unusual ingredients in brewing.
Also be sure to check out the ProBrewer Discussion Boards conversations on Beverage Ingredients and Beyond Beer.
Featured Articles in Ingredients in Brewing – Exploring the Unusual and Exotic
The Emergence of Hemp Derived Cannabinoid Beverages
At an increasing clip, brewers are getting into the CBD and THC beverage arena. This makes sense for a variety of reasons, even more so than brewers making hard seltzers. There is a direct relationship between cannabis and hops so many brewers feel comfortable working in the space, there is also a needed level of skill, science, and creativity in the cannabis beverage space that just does not exist with alcoholic flavored malt beverages. (more...)
Hops and Climate Change
Climate change has long been on the minds of folks in and around the beer industry. Whether relating to water use, recapturing carbon dioxide, managing spent grains, or even dealing with the fallout from storms, floods, and fires, the beer industry has soberly viewed weather related issues as challenges to be addressed. Access to quality raw ingredients is just another in a long line of climate based concerns. (more...)
Brewers are Innovating in New Beverage Spaces
There was a period of time, and it wasn’t too long ago, when craft brewers were urging other brewers to stay in the beer lane. Focus on the beer, don’t think about flavored malt beverages, or other liquids, some industry leaders said. Be beer manufactures, stick to the mission, they urged. (more...)
Understanding Uncommon Adjuncts
Craft brewers hated adjunct beers and told everyone willing to listen. They derided beers made with rice and corn, claiming they cheapened the industrial lagers they were used in. Opposition to adjuncts helped define an early era of craft beer. Then that all changed. (more...)
Phantasm: The Magical Mystery of Thiols Explained
It’s not unusual for brewers to trade information about new hop varieties and text or email one another about how to best use experimental varieties. The products usually involve a big hop company that has heavily invested in a years long research project, sending the new varieties out for testing to a few select breweries. But some ingredients fly even further under the radar. (more...)
Lance Shaner of Omega Yeast Talks About Latest Innovations in Yeast
While hops get a lot of the attention from brewers and drinkers alike, and malt has intrigue, especially as the craft segment of that ingredient is on the rise, there is another area that deserves renewed focus. (more...)
James Priest Talks About Using Honey as an Ingredient
In a world where just about everything is added to beers to increase flavor or bring new delight to a pint, it is fitting that honey, the sweet nectar that mankind has been enjoying for more than 8,000 years, is enjoying a renewed turn in ales and lager. (more...)
Tips for Brewing With Cryo Hops – A Concentrated Lupulin Boost
Brewers are always searching for new ways to push the brewing envelope and to maximize the flavor potential of their ingredients. Hop farmers and suppliers work hard to match that level of experimentation with creative new products. Cryo Hops remain an exciting yet efficient way of having it all for brewers. (more...)